Good Monday morning, all. I’m over at Kroger Field for Mark Stoops’ weekly presser to preview the Cats’ matchup with Tennessee. He’s scheduled to join us at Noon ET. Stay tuned for the latest news and notes…
MARK STOOPS Q&A:
* Stoops says they are anxious to get back to work after a really poor performance and a brutal trip to Starkville. But should get back up and excited for a rival coming to Lexington this week.
* Very impressed with Tennessee, Stoops says. A much-improved team over last year. High-tempo. Some WRs who make plays and put stress on you. Overall, we have to play a lot better than we did this past Saturday.
* Asked if his team just had a hiccup or was “choking,” Stoops keeps his composure and says he has no control over what people choose to describe his team.
* Stoops gives a “We’ll see” again on injured player updates (Jordan Wright, Marquan McCall). He goes on to say he hasn’t seen anyone for updates yet this early on Monday, “Not trying to be a prick or anything.”
* Will Levis did not have the same level of calm feet in the pocket that he’s had in recent games, Stoops said. Had a chance to hit some strikes that could have made it a different game. “Gotta get that fixed.”
* Asked about Chris Rodriguez “dealing with something,” Stoops says it was not the wrist. He’s not going to go in-depth on it, “but he was dealing with an issue last week.”
* No room to sit around feeling sorry for yourself, Stoops said. Look around the league. Not too many records better than the Cats. A couple of elite teams and everybody else is scrappin’.
* MSU seemed to be more physical and more motivated, Stoops said, and that can’t happen to us.
* Asked about the UT defense leading the nation in TFL, Stoops says they have some very good players. There’s no denying that. Banks is a “very good football player. Very disruptive.”
* Different style of passing game from last week to this week… MSU hits with short stuff, UT is hunting deep shots. Stoops says there are some similarities, though, because they’ll put pressure on you with the run game.
* When UT settled on Hooker at QB, he’s played really well and gained confidence.
* Asked about what you talk about with the DBs after a QB goes 36 of 39 against them, Stoops quips that his first reaction was “put a gun to my head.” Says you just can’t allow that to happen. Comes down to making more competitive plays. On depth in the secondary, Stoops said, "It is what it is. We'll do the best we can." (Ouch)
* Expected to be cold on Saturday. Stoops says he doesn’t pay any mind to it.
* Vols’ scheme on defense hasn’t changed much, Stoops says, but they’re playing harder and more aggressive.
* On what he saw from Josh Ali in his return to action… Liked the punt return a lot. Hopefully, he’ll have another great week without any setbacks.
* DeMarcus Harris had a good game. “Hopefully, he’ll continue to build on that. He’s improving, and that’s been nice.”
* Asked what’s going on with the running game… Stoops says needs to be better. Some of it has been playing against disruptive defenses, some of it is stuff they can control and be better at.
UPDATED KENTUCKY DEPTH CHART:
KICKOFF AND TV TIME FOR NEXT WEEK:
*****
UK ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
FOOTBALL
Nov. 1, 2021
Trevin Wallace Named SEC Freshman of the Week
The Jesup, Georgia native registered a career-high 12 tackles in first career start
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky linebacker Trevin Wallace has been named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week, it was announced on Monday, after a breakout performance in his first career start.
Wallace, who earned the nod at outside linebacker, delivered in a big way with a career-high 12 tackles, including a pair of stops for a loss in the Wildcats’ game at Mississippi State. He logged a solo tackle for loss in the third quarter and assisted on two other second-half tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder from Jesup, Georgia has had an instant impact this season for the Cats. He scored the go-ahead touchdown in a win over No. 10 Florida last month when he returned a blocked field goal for a score and has seen his role steadily increase as the season has unfolded. In total, he has logged 20.0 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and a quarterback hurry in eight games.
No. 18/17 Kentucky plays host to border rival Tennessee on Saturday night at Kroger Field. The game is sold out, marking a third consecutive sellout for the Wildcats. Kickoff is schedule for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and the Big Blue Sports Network.
MARK STOOPS Q&A:
* Stoops says they are anxious to get back to work after a really poor performance and a brutal trip to Starkville. But should get back up and excited for a rival coming to Lexington this week.
* Very impressed with Tennessee, Stoops says. A much-improved team over last year. High-tempo. Some WRs who make plays and put stress on you. Overall, we have to play a lot better than we did this past Saturday.
* Asked if his team just had a hiccup or was “choking,” Stoops keeps his composure and says he has no control over what people choose to describe his team.
* Stoops gives a “We’ll see” again on injured player updates (Jordan Wright, Marquan McCall). He goes on to say he hasn’t seen anyone for updates yet this early on Monday, “Not trying to be a prick or anything.”
* Will Levis did not have the same level of calm feet in the pocket that he’s had in recent games, Stoops said. Had a chance to hit some strikes that could have made it a different game. “Gotta get that fixed.”
* Asked about Chris Rodriguez “dealing with something,” Stoops says it was not the wrist. He’s not going to go in-depth on it, “but he was dealing with an issue last week.”
* No room to sit around feeling sorry for yourself, Stoops said. Look around the league. Not too many records better than the Cats. A couple of elite teams and everybody else is scrappin’.
* MSU seemed to be more physical and more motivated, Stoops said, and that can’t happen to us.
* Asked about the UT defense leading the nation in TFL, Stoops says they have some very good players. There’s no denying that. Banks is a “very good football player. Very disruptive.”
* Different style of passing game from last week to this week… MSU hits with short stuff, UT is hunting deep shots. Stoops says there are some similarities, though, because they’ll put pressure on you with the run game.
* When UT settled on Hooker at QB, he’s played really well and gained confidence.
* Asked about what you talk about with the DBs after a QB goes 36 of 39 against them, Stoops quips that his first reaction was “put a gun to my head.” Says you just can’t allow that to happen. Comes down to making more competitive plays. On depth in the secondary, Stoops said, "It is what it is. We'll do the best we can." (Ouch)
* Expected to be cold on Saturday. Stoops says he doesn’t pay any mind to it.
* Vols’ scheme on defense hasn’t changed much, Stoops says, but they’re playing harder and more aggressive.
* On what he saw from Josh Ali in his return to action… Liked the punt return a lot. Hopefully, he’ll have another great week without any setbacks.
* DeMarcus Harris had a good game. “Hopefully, he’ll continue to build on that. He’s improving, and that’s been nice.”
* Asked what’s going on with the running game… Stoops says needs to be better. Some of it has been playing against disruptive defenses, some of it is stuff they can control and be better at.
UPDATED KENTUCKY DEPTH CHART:
KICKOFF AND TV TIME FOR NEXT WEEK:
*****
UK ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
FOOTBALL
Nov. 1, 2021
Trevin Wallace Named SEC Freshman of the Week
The Jesup, Georgia native registered a career-high 12 tackles in first career start
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky linebacker Trevin Wallace has been named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week, it was announced on Monday, after a breakout performance in his first career start.
Wallace, who earned the nod at outside linebacker, delivered in a big way with a career-high 12 tackles, including a pair of stops for a loss in the Wildcats’ game at Mississippi State. He logged a solo tackle for loss in the third quarter and assisted on two other second-half tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder from Jesup, Georgia has had an instant impact this season for the Cats. He scored the go-ahead touchdown in a win over No. 10 Florida last month when he returned a blocked field goal for a score and has seen his role steadily increase as the season has unfolded. In total, he has logged 20.0 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and a quarterback hurry in eight games.
No. 18/17 Kentucky plays host to border rival Tennessee on Saturday night at Kroger Field. The game is sold out, marking a third consecutive sellout for the Wildcats. Kickoff is schedule for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and the Big Blue Sports Network.
