Mark Stoops Talks Bye Week Energy, Communication, Defense & Offensive Line

Vicky Graff Photo

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops held his bye week press conference on Wednesday and he covered a number of topics.

BYE WEEK PRACTICE

Stoops likes what he has been able to do with the team this week, focusing on a number of items.

“It’s been a beautiful week of weather, so it’s been nice,” Stoops said. “Guys are in good spirits, it’s been really good to get our players a bit of rest. A lighter Monday and Tuesday, had a really good workload today. Monday, we worked some of the guys who hadn’t gotten as many snaps as the ones.”

“Had a good physical day today and we’ll have a good practice tomorrow,” he said. “Then, we’re trying to get ahead for Vandy and also, just work on ourselves. Just trying to get better.”

BYE WEEK ENERGY

Coming off a big win at Ole Miss, the Cats bring a certain amount of natural energy into this week, according to Stoops.

“It definitely feels better,” Stoops said. “When we have a loss, we’re waiting for the next opportunity and sometimes that’s a long wait, waiting two weeks. Either way, you have to clear it, get good energy, get out here and be productive and get better.”

CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT

Since falling to South Carolina in week two, Stoops has seen his Cats get better each week. That continued last weekend at Ole Miss.

“I think the big thing is, heading into the Georgia game, after week two and you get yourself humbled a little bit, you get their attention to focus in on all of the little details,” Stoops said. “You need really good players, you need a scheme, but you need to execute. It’s a fundamental game and you have to prepare the right way.”

“Then, they need to be them. Be players. Go make plays and do the one-on-one amazing things that they do,” Stoops said. “But it’s after you take care of job number one – do your job.”

“There were so many things that we needed to improve on and we have,” he said. “I credit the coaches and individual coordinators, all of them have gotten better. And there’s still a lot of work to be done.”

COMMUNICATION IMPROVING

Stoops likes how the communication on the team continues to get better, especially on offense.

“I think we were much cleaner,” he said. “Penalties have been way down since the South Carolina game. I think we’re near the top of the league in fewest penalties, so that’s been an improvement for us.”

“I think we’ve been more efficient with the pre-snap communication and the pre-snap movement on offense, getting plays in and running the plays,” Stoops said. “I think it just comes with reps.”

THIRD DOWN DEFENSE

Kentucky held Ole Miss to just one conversion in 10 third-down attempts on Saturday. That’s an improvement from earlier in the year.

“We’ve improved. And that’s week to week,” Stoops said. “Just because we’re playing better on third down right now doesn’t mean it’s automatically going to happen in the next game. People hone in on what you’re doing, you have to win one-on-ones. Our guys have competed well. Coach White has done a nice job of mixing things up. Our players have played hard. You have to credit the front with being disruptive as well.”

OFFENSIVE LINE GETTING BETTER

Stoops has been pleased with how the UK offensive line has played recently.

“The o-line has been better. I think they’re showing improvement,” he said. “I think you saw that last week, certainly our play action protection has been better, our run game has been very efficient. We’ve played some pretty good competition and have moved (the ball) well. I think overall, we’re seeing improvement, and that’s what I like.”

DEFENSIVE COVERAGE

The UK secondary did a solid job against Ole Miss on Saturday, something that made Stoops happy.

“It’s tough. It’s tough covering those guys,” he said. “We put them on some islands and they made some plays, two or three down the field. I appreciate their effort. I think (secondary coach) Chris Collins has done a really good job with some new guys. They’re getting better. The nice thing about our group is they have some length to them, and that shows up on the field as well.”