Explosive South Carolina Worries Mark Stoops

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Mark Stoops knows Kentucky has to regroup immediately because South Carolina is a team that has played very well at home and the Gamecocks will host the Cats Saturday night.

“They’ve also played some very good football teams and are more than capable of playing well in all phases. They’re always strong on special teams. Their offense is extremely explosive,” Stoops said.

Quarterback Spencer Rattler is completing about 70 percent of his passes at home. Stoops said South Carolina has made some schematic changes in recent weeks and he’s not exactly sure what to expect.

“Definitely some mix-ups that we have to be prepared for, some changeups, and they’re a very good team and we’re looking to just get better, have a great week and go down there in another very tough environment and try to get a win,” Stoops said.

Mobile quarterbacks have given UK’s defense fits. The Cats are not getting great pressure on the quarterback and last week Alabama’s Jalen Millroe threw for three touchdowns in the first quarter and then ran for three more scores.

The bad news for UK is that Stoops said Rattler is similar to Millroe.

“He can buy time, and he’s also very good in the pocket, and it was a problem this past week. So we have to do a better job in both areas. We need to be better and rushing, more disciplined, more relentless,” Stoops said.

“Secondary guys getting to the quarterback, not rushing past the quarterback, letting them have that easy pocket to step up into and then plastering and covering and being better down the field as well, because he is similar in that way. Spencer’s got a very good feel for moving around the pocket.”

South Carolina also has the SEC’s leading receiver in Xavier Legette that will test a UK secondary that has been vulnerable the last five games.

“He’s a big strong guy and can really run. The biggest thing is size, speed, and strength, and (he) makes competitive plays and (he’s) been around for a while,” Stoops said.

The Kentucky coach praised South Carolina offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains.

“I think he’s very creative. They create explosive plays. I mean they’re making a lot of hay on first and second down. They like to get the ball moving and when they get moving they can really go,” Stoops said.

South Carolina coach Shane Beamer and Stoops seem to have had some testy times the last few years but Stoops said he had “no clue” where speculation started that his relationship was not okay with Beamer.

“I don’t feel that way. Maybe he does. I don’t know. You’d have to ask him. But I don’t feel that at all. It’s another game and we need it for our university, for our players, it’s zero to do with me and Shane,” Stoops said.