Mark Stoops said Monday his team had to own its performance against South Carolina. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops knows his team has little time to regroup going into Saturday’s showdown against top-ranked Georgia.
Two days removed from his team’s 31-6 disappointing setback to South Carolina, Stoops was still fuming over UK’s performance.
“Much of what I said after the game holds true — with one exception,” Stoops said. “After watching the film, I do think our guys played really hard. We just didn’t play very smart. We didn’t execute very good, we didn’t play very disciplined, we didn’t play winning football at all. Mentally, we have to do a better job.”
The mental miscues, Stoops said, resulted in six explosive plays that went for 152 yards and added “three of them were complete technique issues.” He also said offensively, the Wildcats “got out of rhythm.”
“We didn’t play very good and you can’t have penalty after penalty after penalty,” he said. “That part of it, the execution and the undisciplined play was embarrassing. The penalties and things of that nature, just can’t do it.”
Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff said the Wildcats “kind of shot ourselves in the foot a few times” against the Gamecocks.
The Kentucky coach said the Wildcats “better turn the page quickly” to have a chance against the Bulldogs.
“We have to own that performance against (South Carolina) first and that’s what we’re all going to do. We’re going to own it. We all have to take charge of our responsibility, and our job, and do it with pride,” Stoops said.
“Then we have to hone in on what we’re going to do and, clearly, do it better and make sure we’re putting our players in a position to be successful.”
The contest will be the conference opener for Georgia, which opened with two straight victories, including a 48-3 rout of Tennessee Tech last Saturday in Athens. The Bulldogs outscored their first two opponents, 82-6.
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“After watching the film, I do think our guys played really hard. We just didn’t play very smart. We didn’t execute very good, we didn’t play very disciplined, we didn’t play winning football at all. Mentally, we have to do a better job.”
These are Stoops own words. All of these issues come back to poor coaching. Maybe being paid $9 million makes you take things for granted? Or maybe you just don’t have the X and O savvy to be an SEC coach? Or maybe you’ve realized that you just don’t have the talent to compete at the SEC level and you don’t worry about a game plan? Stoops can leave Kentucky at the end of the season and will never have to work another day in his life. Maybe it’s time to start evaluating other coaches and begin interviewing before the bowl season starts. We can find a better coach for $9 million.
Scroll down on VV home page and you read where Kirby Smart says Kentucky plays with discipline. Stoops says we don’t play with discipline.
I haven’t seen any discipline last season or this one either.
Whatever the problems were, it is his job to at least figure out some of the problems DURING the game, not the next day. When he figures it out, he needs to make adjustments. I have seen very few games where Stoops has actually made adjustments that turn a game around.
He hasn’t won a game when trailing by 10 or more at any point in the game for several years. That is a lack of figuring out what will work and making the adjustments.
The corner has turned on the Stoops train. Many of us have jumped off and for all the right reasons. We are tired of mediocre FB and Stoops continuing to seek refuge under the "cliche city" cover. Does any other coach wear them out more than Stoops? There were a few players on the DL and a few of the RB’s that appeared to be "playing hard" but that was it. Based on Saturday’s play, is there a weaker team in the SEC?
With GA coming into Kroger Field Saturday, one is tempted to settle for just a good showing for the Cats. I am not one of those people. I personally will not be satisfied unless each player competes to win his position. Given that GA is better coached than KY and, on paper, has better talent the game should be a rout but what is not on paper is how much heart each player possesses. The Cats have something to prove and while they may not win the day it had better appear that they are at least trying to win.
They did not show any "want to" on Saturday and embarrassed the BBN again. I hope the coaching staff has accepted more accountability than shown so far and have collective done some appropriate A$$ kicking in practice.
I think UK FB has turned the corner.
The direction chosen is a dead end.
TWICE the same SC receiver was WIDE OPEN. Both the IRRESPONSIBLE player and the IRRESPONSIBLE coach should be sent packing!!!
No accountability will always produce a loser!
At least a dozen starters should have been replaced by the middle of the 2nd quarter. Give the backups a chance to prove the wrong players were chosen to start.
I think he’s going to Iowa.
I wish it was tomorrow.
Some will say we ran another coach off.
They think we’re crazy.
He will be another UK HC going someplace where he makes millions less than Barnie paid him.
What will we think if UK beats UGA… ha ha ha lol lol lol
Oh, never mind …
Bet $5 on UK money line – returns $55. Now I’ll have a reason to watch.
If you’re a believer…Bet $100
That’s why is was $5 ! The miracle happens I get a free lunch. UK loses……….. meh.