Hello HOB. Good Monday morning to y’all. We’ll have Mark Stoops joining us today at Noon ET to preview the regular season finale against Louisville. Stay tuned for the latest news and notes as the Cats prepare for the Governor’s Cup…
MARK STOOPS Q&A:
* Stoops says he wasn’t nearly as frustrated after watching the film of the New Mexico State win as he was immediately after the game due to the sloppy mistakes that occurred. Offense did a lot of really nice things, he said.
* Really good opponent, big challenge going on the road, and Malik Cunningham is a big-time playmaker who can hurt you with his arm or his legs. “They’re better in all areas than they have been the last two times we played them.”
* Stoops noted that the Cats have two classes of players on the team now who have never played Louisville due to the Covid cancellation of the Governor’s Cup last season. Feels like he has to do some things this week to introduce them to what this game means to both programs.
* Cards are more physical on defense and more comfortable in their system, Stoops said.
* Asked about the future of this game when Oklahoma and Texas enter the league, Stoops says he hasn’t put one ounce of thought into that. “I have a lot right in front of me right now.”
* Asked about playing this game at night, Stoops jokes “It’s my understanding that they serve alcohol in that stadium… They’ll have all day and all night. Should be rowdy in there.”
* On this game’s importance in recruiting… Important but not the end-all, be-all, Stoops says. It’s just an important game in a lot of different ways to the program, he adds. A chance to win 9 games in the regular season is big.
* Asked about Marquan McCall and D’Eryk Jackson’s health and whether they can be OK moving forward… Knew Jackson could still thump, but wondered if he could move laterally well enough. They’re still keeping an eye on that. Hoping that another week makes McCall feel even better.
* RBs and WRs are really good players for UofL. They have some weapons around Cunningham with some “juice,” Stoops said.
* Both QBs have shown ability to run the ball this season, a headache for the defensive staff on each side of the rivalry, Stoops said. He joked that people used to always ask him why Kentucky can’t stop running QBs. Nobody is really “stopping” running QBs. They’re a problem for everyone.
* Asked about Landon Young making his first start for the Saints… So proud of him, Stoops said. Knew he’d play in the NFL for a long time wherever he is. “Doesn’t surprise me.”
* On recruiting with the early signing day coming up… Dynamic group, Stoops said, but maybe a bit smaller in number because you have to manage things for the transfer portal now.
* Asked about his name continuing to pop up in coaching search news, Stoops says he has no control over that. Doesn’t want it out there. He says he’s nothing but committed to the job here.
* There have been more in-season visits than usual, Stoops said, due to the changing nature of the recruiting process. With that, can be more distractions because you’re also preparing for the game and sometimes don’t feel like you can give the prospects as much attention as you’d like to.
* Stoops says you want guys to be emotionally charged for this game but noted that all the rah-rah stuff doesn’t really help you as much as bringing that intensity to work throughout the week, starting with a really physical Tuesday practice. “Just being mad at Louisville all week isn’t going to do it.”
* Stoops acknowledged that, while Levis and Robinson haven’t played in a Governor’s Cup game, they have played in some big rivalry games at Penn State and Nebraska and should understand the magnitude of this matchup.
* Dotson has done pretty well since stepping in for Cox, Stoops said, despite some challenges that he has in certain situations vs. blitzes and one-on-one pass protection.
* Burton did well against New Mexico State, Stoops said. Wanted to play him even more, but NMS was bringing a lot of stuff in that one with their front seven and the time wasn’t exactly right until the Cats completely put it away.
* Asked about what he’s thankful for on Thanksgiving week, Stoops said he appreciates all the work people in the program have done. “We’re blessed and have a great opportunity this week.”
* Stoops said Marquan McCall’s maturity has been really pleasing to see. To be voted a captain was great to see, and how he’s conducted himself this season, even through a tough injury, has been great.
* On JJ Weaver…. Doing a remarkable job while playing through a lot of discomfort at times. That leg isn’t back to it’s full strength yet. Not 100% but giving it his all and fighting through it. “Still a really good player… I can’t wait until he gets back to that elite player look.”
* On KD McDaniel… Doing some good things. Reps and experience are very important to him. The more he gets, the better he’ll get.
* Turnovers… One was at the end of the game with a guy who hasn’t played much at all. The interception was a nice play by the defender. On C-Rod’s fumble, Stoops said he’s not going to beat him over the head with it because he knows he’ll get with Coach Settle to get it fixed this week.
* Reporter asks what was the big factor in getting the win last week. (Seriously). Stoops said, “We had 700-something yards.” (Laughs)
*****
UPDATED UK DEPTH CHART:
MARK STOOPS Q&A:
* Stoops says he wasn’t nearly as frustrated after watching the film of the New Mexico State win as he was immediately after the game due to the sloppy mistakes that occurred. Offense did a lot of really nice things, he said.
* Really good opponent, big challenge going on the road, and Malik Cunningham is a big-time playmaker who can hurt you with his arm or his legs. “They’re better in all areas than they have been the last two times we played them.”
* Stoops noted that the Cats have two classes of players on the team now who have never played Louisville due to the Covid cancellation of the Governor’s Cup last season. Feels like he has to do some things this week to introduce them to what this game means to both programs.
* Cards are more physical on defense and more comfortable in their system, Stoops said.
* Asked about the future of this game when Oklahoma and Texas enter the league, Stoops says he hasn’t put one ounce of thought into that. “I have a lot right in front of me right now.”
* Asked about playing this game at night, Stoops jokes “It’s my understanding that they serve alcohol in that stadium… They’ll have all day and all night. Should be rowdy in there.”
* On this game’s importance in recruiting… Important but not the end-all, be-all, Stoops says. It’s just an important game in a lot of different ways to the program, he adds. A chance to win 9 games in the regular season is big.
* Asked about Marquan McCall and D’Eryk Jackson’s health and whether they can be OK moving forward… Knew Jackson could still thump, but wondered if he could move laterally well enough. They’re still keeping an eye on that. Hoping that another week makes McCall feel even better.
* RBs and WRs are really good players for UofL. They have some weapons around Cunningham with some “juice,” Stoops said.
* Both QBs have shown ability to run the ball this season, a headache for the defensive staff on each side of the rivalry, Stoops said. He joked that people used to always ask him why Kentucky can’t stop running QBs. Nobody is really “stopping” running QBs. They’re a problem for everyone.
* Asked about Landon Young making his first start for the Saints… So proud of him, Stoops said. Knew he’d play in the NFL for a long time wherever he is. “Doesn’t surprise me.”
* On recruiting with the early signing day coming up… Dynamic group, Stoops said, but maybe a bit smaller in number because you have to manage things for the transfer portal now.
* Asked about his name continuing to pop up in coaching search news, Stoops says he has no control over that. Doesn’t want it out there. He says he’s nothing but committed to the job here.
* There have been more in-season visits than usual, Stoops said, due to the changing nature of the recruiting process. With that, can be more distractions because you’re also preparing for the game and sometimes don’t feel like you can give the prospects as much attention as you’d like to.
* Stoops says you want guys to be emotionally charged for this game but noted that all the rah-rah stuff doesn’t really help you as much as bringing that intensity to work throughout the week, starting with a really physical Tuesday practice. “Just being mad at Louisville all week isn’t going to do it.”
* Stoops acknowledged that, while Levis and Robinson haven’t played in a Governor’s Cup game, they have played in some big rivalry games at Penn State and Nebraska and should understand the magnitude of this matchup.
* Dotson has done pretty well since stepping in for Cox, Stoops said, despite some challenges that he has in certain situations vs. blitzes and one-on-one pass protection.
* Burton did well against New Mexico State, Stoops said. Wanted to play him even more, but NMS was bringing a lot of stuff in that one with their front seven and the time wasn’t exactly right until the Cats completely put it away.
* Asked about what he’s thankful for on Thanksgiving week, Stoops said he appreciates all the work people in the program have done. “We’re blessed and have a great opportunity this week.”
* Stoops said Marquan McCall’s maturity has been really pleasing to see. To be voted a captain was great to see, and how he’s conducted himself this season, even through a tough injury, has been great.
* On JJ Weaver…. Doing a remarkable job while playing through a lot of discomfort at times. That leg isn’t back to it’s full strength yet. Not 100% but giving it his all and fighting through it. “Still a really good player… I can’t wait until he gets back to that elite player look.”
* On KD McDaniel… Doing some good things. Reps and experience are very important to him. The more he gets, the better he’ll get.
* Turnovers… One was at the end of the game with a guy who hasn’t played much at all. The interception was a nice play by the defender. On C-Rod’s fumble, Stoops said he’s not going to beat him over the head with it because he knows he’ll get with Coach Settle to get it fixed this week.
* Reporter asks what was the big factor in getting the win last week. (Seriously). Stoops said, “We had 700-something yards.” (Laughs)
*****
UPDATED UK DEPTH CHART:
