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One thing that Kentucky coach Mark Stoops likes the most about quarterback Brock Vandagriff is that “he really doesn’t “get rattled” no matter the circumstances.
“He really likes to put his head down, and compete, and worry about himself, and his team, and wants to improve. That’s what you like about him – his demeanor is very steady, and his work ethic, and his work habits are very steady as well,” Stoops said.
He had to avoid getting rattled after going only 3-for-10 passing for 30 yards with one interception in UK’s one-sided loss to South Carolina. However, he went 14-for-27 against Georgia for 114 yards and then hit 18 of 28 passes for 243 yards and one score against Ole Miss. He also has gone three straight games without an interception.
Stoops said the quarterback’s toughness and steadiness in his life are invaluable traits.
“He’s a steady person, and very stable and very conscientious in all areas of his life. So, his practice habits, and the fact that he doesn’t get frustrated, or rattled; I think I said that in the last press conference with him, but even through tough times he’s not one of those guys that’s going to huff and puff on the sideline, or poor me, or throw his helmet, or something like that,” Stoops said. “It’s just steady, it’s just how can we get better, how can I get better.”
Kentucky had a bye week after winning at Ole Miss and now hosts Vanderbilt Saturday after the Commodores shocked the nation by beating Alabama last week.
Vandagriff was on the “Mark Stoops Show” Monday night on the UK Radio Network and shared what he did during the bye week.
“Just getting the ball out to playmakers in space. Sometimes I overreact a little bit to some of the stuff that happens in the backfield,” Vandagriff said. “You got to stay calm in the chaos.“
Vandagriff knows he’s had a tendency at times to hold the ball too long that has resulted in sacks. He is focusing on advice a former coach gave him to “play like a duck” going forward.
“Above water, everything’s calm, but below water — you’re processing, you’re moving your feet, a bunch of stuff’s happening — you just got to stay calm through all that and don’t create your own pressure,” the Kentucky quarterback said. “You can move six inches to the right and still deliver a strike. That comes with feel and stuff like that.
“But then, maybe if somebody’s coming at me that that isn’t getting picked up or if I’m hot, just bam, being able to get the ball out fast and not get behind the sticks.”
2 Responses
It is more than just a challenge to be steady when the OL looks like a revolving door with a big welcome sign for opponents
Something is missing in the development and teaching techniques of this OL because these guys are experienced and talented but not properly trained & molded into a cohesive unit.
I agree I thought this line was going to be one of the best in the Stoops era. They have plenty of experience and they still suck. Even against Ole Miss I think they allowed 5 sacks. 3 or more sacks is bad. Brock is running for his life. If they could give him 3-4 seconds he would be a great quarterback. He is very accurate when he has time. I think Key is about to have a very big game. I also think Brown has 5+ catches. Maclin hasn’t done a thing. He looks scared to field a punt.