Missouri defensive back Martez Manuel says he hates Kentucky but admits UK’s Will Levis is one of the best quarterbacks in the country. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz praised Kentucky’s Mark Stoops — as did several other coaches — at last week’s SEC Media Day.
“Coach Stoops does a tremendous job,” Drinkwitz said. “Obviously knows exactly what the blueprint of his program is and how he wants to develop it. He’s had the benefit of some really strong defensive schemes and defensive players.”
“Their defensive line is as impressive as anybody we play against, save for (national champion) Georgia. I have a lot of respect for Mark and that program, what he’s been able to do.”
The Missouri coach expects another good game with Kentucky when the Wildcats visit Missouri this season.
“We get ’em later in the year (Nov. 5) which has been the first time that we’ve done that. I think we’ve played ’em either week three or last year was week two. It will be interesting to see where our teams are at at that point in the season,” the Missouri coach said
However, Missouri defensive back Martez Manuel made it clear that Kentucky is not just another game for the Tigers.
“I feel like Kentucky to me is more of a rivalry game than Arkansas personally,” Manuel said. “Arkansas is like a border line rivalry, but we don’t have bad blood there.”
“We don’t like Kentucky. They don’t like us. It’s been that way since I was a senior in high school and Kentucky played Missouri and they won on a PI (pass interference) call and they got like a timeless down, something stupid.”
“And then we lost to them that next year and that was actually my first career start. So that was pretty personal to me. Then my sophomore year we beat them at home and that was amazing and then obviously, last year we lost to them by seven or something crazy last minute after a blocked kick.”
He said there was some bad blood with Arkansas but that he hated “that White and Blue” of Kentucky.
Kentucky has lost just once to Missouri since 2015 going 6-1 against the Tigers with the only loss coming at Missouri in 2020.
Manuel did admit Kentucky quarterback Will Levis was a “stud” last year.
“Probably one of the best quarterbacks in the country, honestly,” Manuel said. “When me and my friends, we always talk about last year and stuff and I always say he’s one of the best quarterbacks I’ve faced since I’ve been in college.”
“Looking forward to seeing what he does with new guys around him at the receiver position and looking forward to those guys to come to Columbia.”
3 Responses
Interesting perspective about this "rivalry"
Last year, Missouri was not very strong, and that 7-point UK win in week 2 at Kroger field was an overperformance for Missouri (or an underperformance for UK) perhaps illustrating the importance Missouri places on this game relative to their other opponents.
I think UK will be a TD or more favorite this year at their place and make it 7-1 since 2015. If things play out this season the way I believe, then UK will go to Missouri in early November with a 7-1 or 8-0 record and be preparing for its final push to the match up with Georgia for the SEC East. I cannot fathom a Stoops’ coached team in that situation not being ready to compete and beat Missouri.
Go big blue.
All these compliments given by Mizzou’s head coach to UK is a set up. UK better be ready to play in Columbia. This will be a barn burner, and a very tough outing I do believe. UK must take care of business. Martez Manuel just made it personal too.
One thing that troubles me about this year is keeping Levis healthy. Not sure the Cats have QB 2 ready, either, with Allen’s departure. I could be wrong on the QB issue but I sure hope Will can go the distance in 2022.
Finally, I hope for the best year ever because of all the hype surrounding this 2022 UK football team. I have never seen a UK football team quite as confident and outright "cocky" as this team seems to be. I say show me. We shall see very soon. GO Cats!!!!
I am hearing that Allen was not QB2 had he stayed.
Yes, UK must be ready to play every game. That is true of every team too. Not being ready usually translates into a loss against SEC opponents.
However, UK will be a better football team in 2022 than Missouri will be. UK should beat Missouri, all else being equal.