Kentucky's defense will need to find a way to slow down Tennessee's offense when the two rivals play Oct. 29. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Tennessee scored 45 points in Lexington to beat Kentucky 45-42. Last week the Vols scored 52 points to beat Alabama 52-49.
The Vols are averaging 43 points per game this year while Kentucky is limiting opponents to 20 points per game going into the Oct. 29 game in Knoxville against No. 3 Tennessee.
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops, a defensive specialist, wouldn’t use the words “nervous or anxious” to describe his feelings about a high-scoring game.
“You just never know how those games will play out but by any means necessary you have got to win,” Stoops said. “Last year was a shootout and we had a chance (to win).”
“We know Tennessee is going to score points and you have to match that. You know Tennessee will score points so that is part of the plan trying to score as many points as you can and play as good of defense as you can.”
Stoops knows the Tennessee offense plays “extremely fast as anybody we’ve seen” with a talented group of offensive players.
“Quarterback (Hendon Hooker) is playing at an extremely high level and they are as a team. That’s why they deserved to be ranked where they’re at,” Stoops said.
“I think you can watch him (Hooker) for five minutes and see the level he’s playing at. Again, broken record. Playing at a very high level. They’re playing very well as a team.”
“With their tempo, with how fast they run the plays, but also their personnel. Extremely talented and explosive on all sides. So we got a lot of work to do.”
