Happy Labor Day, HOB. I’m over at Kroger Field laboring for you today as the Cats transition from the big win over ULM to prep for a really important early clash with Mizzou. We’ll have Mark Stoops joining us at Noon ET. Stay tuned for the latest news and notes…
MARK STOOPS Q&A:
* After watching film, a lot of things to build on, a lot of stuff to work on. Stoops said it’s always good to come into the building with that being the case. Loved the effort and conditioning he saw on Saturday. Made some mistakes against ULM, “but we made them fast, played aggressive.”
* Big game coming up against Mizzou, Stoops said. Looking forward to a packed house at Kroger Field. “We need it.” Going to have to play a lot better to beat them.
* On something Will Levis can do to improve…. Ball placement. You strive for perfection, but that’s never going to be the case. Missed a couple of throws he’d like to have back. Many good things. Continues to work on accuracy and touch. Stoops says he has confidence as he gets more action, experience.
* Asked about Mizzou being physical with the Cats last year, Stoops said he didn’t like the way that unfolded. Says it was uncharacteristic. “We need to be much more physical this year.”
* Mizzou’s new DC played it really aggressive in the first game. They’ll crowd the line of scrimmage. Guys will have to win some one-on-ones, Stoops said.
* Good to see WR Isaiah Epps back out there healthy and being able to do what he’s capable of doing, Stoops said. “Obviously, he helps us.”
* Beau Allen hung in there and made a great play to Dingle while getting popped in the face Saturday. Stoops joked that his best bud whiffed on the play and led to him getting hit hard. “Owes him a pizza.”
* More on the budding UK-Mizzou rivalry: “They kicked our butt… They were more motivated to play last year, and I can promise you that’s not going to happen again.”
* On the punting in Game 1… Trying to get him back to feeling good throughout the week where he can prepare like he usually does.
* On Mizzou’s QB play…. Bazelak really creates space, extends plays, keeps his eyes down the field. “Aggravating to a defense.” Looks like the guy they were projecting when they recruited him.
* Oxendine did a nice job, Stoops said. Played faster than he did last year. You can see the work he’s put in during the off-season.
* LBs were out of position at times. Have some things to clean up there. It’s normal stuff, Stoops said, because they do a lot of things.
* Asked about the OL play with the new run blocking scheme, Stoops said it was a little bit good and a little bit bad at times, like most positions. They have a lot to look at on film and correct, he said. Some of it involves the backs, too. There are some opportunities to get big plays on the cut-back with better vision from the backs. “We left a lot of yards out there.”
* Yusuf Corker is a little bit like Jamin Davis, Stoops said, in just coming to work every day and doing his job. Sounds like Stoops would like him to get a little more attention than he’s receiving.
* Stoops was pleased with Davonte Robinson’s play Saturday. Looked like the guy they really liked two years ago, before the injury.
* Drennen is a guy they’d like to find more opportunities for. Got some wiggle, but also has that ability to get the tough yards like he did on his TD run.
* No excuses Saturday, Stoops said. He knows it was sunny and hot and a Noon kickoff for game one, “but we need that place packed.”
* Stoops jokes that he felt like Saturday was 90% pass in the play-calling. He was shocked when he saw the final stats. Had that balance he’s really been seeking.
* On giving the fans what they want with a passing attack…. “I want to give the fans victories, and if I don’t, you’ll be talking to a new guy up here.”
* Asked about playing a game on the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Stoops says it probably sticks with coaches more than players, who were really young at the time, but he remembers exactly where he was at the time as a young assistant with Miami. Recalls the shock, anger, sadness.
UPDATED UK DEPTH CHART:
MARK STOOPS Q&A:
* After watching film, a lot of things to build on, a lot of stuff to work on. Stoops said it’s always good to come into the building with that being the case. Loved the effort and conditioning he saw on Saturday. Made some mistakes against ULM, “but we made them fast, played aggressive.”
* Big game coming up against Mizzou, Stoops said. Looking forward to a packed house at Kroger Field. “We need it.” Going to have to play a lot better to beat them.
* On something Will Levis can do to improve…. Ball placement. You strive for perfection, but that’s never going to be the case. Missed a couple of throws he’d like to have back. Many good things. Continues to work on accuracy and touch. Stoops says he has confidence as he gets more action, experience.
* Asked about Mizzou being physical with the Cats last year, Stoops said he didn’t like the way that unfolded. Says it was uncharacteristic. “We need to be much more physical this year.”
* Mizzou’s new DC played it really aggressive in the first game. They’ll crowd the line of scrimmage. Guys will have to win some one-on-ones, Stoops said.
* Good to see WR Isaiah Epps back out there healthy and being able to do what he’s capable of doing, Stoops said. “Obviously, he helps us.”
* Beau Allen hung in there and made a great play to Dingle while getting popped in the face Saturday. Stoops joked that his best bud whiffed on the play and led to him getting hit hard. “Owes him a pizza.”
* More on the budding UK-Mizzou rivalry: “They kicked our butt… They were more motivated to play last year, and I can promise you that’s not going to happen again.”
* On the punting in Game 1… Trying to get him back to feeling good throughout the week where he can prepare like he usually does.
* On Mizzou’s QB play…. Bazelak really creates space, extends plays, keeps his eyes down the field. “Aggravating to a defense.” Looks like the guy they were projecting when they recruited him.
* Oxendine did a nice job, Stoops said. Played faster than he did last year. You can see the work he’s put in during the off-season.
* LBs were out of position at times. Have some things to clean up there. It’s normal stuff, Stoops said, because they do a lot of things.
* Asked about the OL play with the new run blocking scheme, Stoops said it was a little bit good and a little bit bad at times, like most positions. They have a lot to look at on film and correct, he said. Some of it involves the backs, too. There are some opportunities to get big plays on the cut-back with better vision from the backs. “We left a lot of yards out there.”
* Yusuf Corker is a little bit like Jamin Davis, Stoops said, in just coming to work every day and doing his job. Sounds like Stoops would like him to get a little more attention than he’s receiving.
* Stoops was pleased with Davonte Robinson’s play Saturday. Looked like the guy they really liked two years ago, before the injury.
* Drennen is a guy they’d like to find more opportunities for. Got some wiggle, but also has that ability to get the tough yards like he did on his TD run.
* No excuses Saturday, Stoops said. He knows it was sunny and hot and a Noon kickoff for game one, “but we need that place packed.”
* Stoops jokes that he felt like Saturday was 90% pass in the play-calling. He was shocked when he saw the final stats. Had that balance he’s really been seeking.
* On giving the fans what they want with a passing attack…. “I want to give the fans victories, and if I don’t, you’ll be talking to a new guy up here.”
* Asked about playing a game on the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Stoops says it probably sticks with coaches more than players, who were really young at the time, but he remembers exactly where he was at the time as a young assistant with Miami. Recalls the shock, anger, sadness.
UPDATED UK DEPTH CHART:
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