Dane Key (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops knows his team can’t take Murray State for granted when the two teams meet Saturday at Kroger Field.
“We don’t ever assume anything,” Stoops said earlier this week. “I think you know our team. We need to go play. We’ve shown that we can play with anybody but we can also lose to anybody and there’s a lot of teams like that. So, we always respect our opponents.”
Coming off a rare second bye week of the season, the Wildcats (3-6) will attempt to end a four-game losing streak, while also trying to keep their eight-game bowl streak alive going into the final three weeks of the regular season. Kentucky must win out to break even and become bowl eligible.
“(It was) good to get back after the bye week,” Stoops said. “I think it was really beneficial for our team mentally, physically it was just an opportunity to get better. We still have a quarter of the season left, so it’s up to us how we decide to finish. I trust our team, I believe in our team.”
In their last outing, the Wildcats dropped a 28-18 setback to No. 6 Tennessee in Knoxville. Although a loss, Stoops said he was “encouraged with the way they competed and played.”
“Physically, I thought we showed up a little bit against high-level competition in a tough environment,” Stoops said. “I was encouraged by Brock (Vandagriff’s) performance in a very tough environment, tough defense. We have to be able to compete at that level all the time.”
Stoops expects Vandagriff, who has started all nine games this season, to play despite missing most of the second half in the loss to the Vols because of an undisclosed injury.
“I expect him to be out there under center first offensive snaps — he was out there today practicing,” Stoops said Thursday. “It was a walk-through but he was out there.”
Although his team hasn’t played in two weeks, defensive coordinator Brad White said the Wildcats are “still in the midst of the healing process.”
“We’re trying to get gradually back to where it’s as close to full strength as it can be,” he said. “It’s an ongoing thing.”
Murray State carries a seven-game losing streak into the contest and seeking its first win over a Southeastern Conference foe in 11 tries. Kentucky is 2-0 against the Racers and has outscored Murray State 85-16 in the two games played between the instate foes.
Like Stoops, White said the Wildcats can’t afford to overlook the struggling Racers.
“Obviously, we’ve got to go out and we’ve got to perform,” White said. “This is not a deal where you just roll the ball out and you feel great.”
Gametracker: Murray State at Kentucky, 1:30 p.m., Saturday. TV/Radio: SECN+ and UK Radio Network.
4 Responses
We should be able to play our second and third string the entire game. I would maybe take the first quarter to refine the offense with the first team but there is no way I’m even playing them a half against this team. If a couple of starters get hurt our season is pretty much over. Its pretty much over now but you could have a little hope if we can get to Texas mostly healthy. If we can get Weaver and Hairston back that would be huge for the Texas game. We might only lose by 20 to Texas instead of 40. Lol just kidding but not really lol.
The only bright spot I’m this game is Cutter Boley and the freshman we have on this team. Boley is clearly the best quarterback on the team. He did all that with mainly second string guys. Brock can’t do it with the starters. I would let Boley get his first start vs Texas. Yes its going to be a rough environment but I think he has more to gain from the game then Brock does. Brock should transfer and we should go with Cutter from here on out.
Careful Terry. Cutter is very talented but this is Murray not Texas. The KY defense usually makes a freshman QB look like the next Heisman winner and today, Murray did the same. Lets give Cutter a full year to mature before throwing him to the wolves of the SEC behind our starting OL in a game that counts.
With almost 2 minutes left we down the football lol. With all the problems we have on offense and the much needed practice we need for the younger players why not try to run a 2 minute offense and see how it goes? This is a game to tune up different positions and we down the ball like were 9-0 or something. Stoops is an idiot. We had again too many penalties. Can you imagine if these penalties came against Texas??? Complete blow out. Another thing is why doesn’t he give Wilcox the ball more? He seems like the most talented back on the team but rarely feeds I’m when he has breakaway speed. I’ve seen him have 4 big runs called back for holding. 4 runs that would have been for about 280 yards. Then he doesn’t give him the ball in the red zone now he’s either really stupid or stoops really doesn’t like the kid. Its obvious. Back to back 100 yard games with only 28 carries? That’s incredible for Wilcox and Pitiful for Stoops. Our staff clearly can’t detect talent. The team has thrown in the towel and Stoops knows it. Our best bet at this point is to quit worry about going to a bowl. Its not going to happen. We need to focus on the future and next year. Go ahead and start getting the younger guys ready. You get 4 games to keep a redshirt. Anyone who has less than 4 games should play as much as they can and still keep there redshirt. Chip as we call can see was very overrated. I would start Wilcox and have DSK come in on short situations or have chip just for short situations. He looks very very slow for a running back. His power also doesn’t impress me. Wilcox should be the starting running back. I would also play Gilmore over Brown not this year but next year.