Georgia Coach Kirby Smart Expects Bloodbath Against Cats

Kirby Smart (SEC Photo)

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops not only has never been able to win at Georgia, but he’s never beat Georgia during his tenure at UK.

He gets another chance Saturday night when UK gets to play at No. 1 Georgia.

Even though UK has never beaten the Bulldogs with Stoops as head coach, the Cats have physically been able to play with Georgia most seasons. The game annually has been one of the most physical games on Georgia’s schedule and Stoops wants it to be that way again.

“I think both teams know — with us, we try to build around that. We have a long, physical defense and up front, we’ve always prided ourselves on being able to run the ball,” Stoops said Monday.

“It was nice to get back to that this past week, and hopefully we’ll be able to match their physicality because they certainly are big, long, and athletic across the board. But our team will rise to the challenge.

“I think we’ve gone through a tough stretch here where our guys are beat up a little bit but, you know, no rest for the weary. We got to get back out here today and have a great week of prep.”

One advantage for Kentucky is that it seems to have more depth in the defensive front than it has since Stoops arrived 11 years ago.

Ohio State transfer Darrion-Henry Young has finally started to emerge as a rotation player and playmaker in the UK defensive front.

“It’s a great example of taking care of yourself. As I tell players all the time—some believe you, some don’t, some buy in, some don’t—but it’s not about anybody else, it’s about yourself. It’s about continuing to prepare and becoming the best player you can be by working every day and buying into that,” Stoops said.

“He’s a great example of that because he’s getting better. He’s giving us quality snaps right now. We’re able to have a rotation at the defensive line and keep guys fresh. As you go through this year in this conference, you’re going to get beat up, so it’s a great example for Darrion—it’s a credit to him for how hard he’s worked and to continue to believe and buy in and not be selfish.”

Smart knows Kentucky will be physical because that’s what Stoops demands.

“They’re going to be physical. He’s a defensive coach. They run the rock,” Smart said. “I always said, our kids are the most sore they’ve been after playing Kentucky. It was that way last year. It was a bloodbath up there last year. It’ll be the same way.”