Vicky Graff Photo
Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops walked away pleased with his team’s performance in the final scrimmage of camp on Saturday as the Wildcats began shifting from prep to game mode.
“Overall, we were clean, we’re getting better,” Stoops said. “We have two weeks to continue to work really hard and push and try to get things detailed. I’m happy with where we’re at.”
The Kentucky coach is also glad his squad hasn’t suffered any significant injuries with two weeks remaining until the season opener against Toledo set for Aug. 30 at Kroger Field.
“At this point of camp, you’re glad to walk off that practice field with getting a bunch of work done and keeping people healthy, and we did that,” Stoops said. “I don’t think there was any major injury out there. We got quite a few situations done again today.”
Unlike the first scrimmage of the fall, last Saturday, Stoops was pleased with the defense, which he said made strides against the offense.
“Defensively, I thought some guys really stepped up and made some plays, stalled a few drives when we had some promising things going,” Stoops said. “Defense really stepped up. … It wasn’t anything like an interception or anything like that, but the group stepped up and shut it down.”
The difference was tackling, which Stoops said was “better” than a week ago and defensive lineman David Gusta agreed with his coach.
“(It was) 100 percent (better),” Gusta said. “Our first scrimmage, there were quite a few missed and this one, I could probably count on one hand. It’s definitely better than the last time.”
He added that communication also was an improvement on Saturday.
“I feel like everything was just there.”Gusta said.
Offensively, Stoops said quarterbacks Zach Calzada and Cutter Boley were impressive on the offensive side of the ball.
“I felt like they played good,” he said. “I thought Cutter was very efficient early in particular. He had some really nice drives and put some things together. Got the ball in the endzone (and) that was really good to see.”
McGowan DOWN
Transfer running back Seth McGowan didn’t participate in the scrimmage Saturday, but Stoops said McGowan is expected to return sooner rather than later.
“Hopefully, he’ll be back Monday, Tuesday, sometime this week but he’s out right now,” Stoops said. “I don’t anticipate anything long-term there.”
Dante Dowdell, also a transfer, didn’t compete in the final scrimmage of the preseason
7 Responses
If Stoops is happy where his team is at going into the season, he needs to get a bowl bid at the minimum to keep his job. Anything less, then it's time to talk to Sumerall and Gruden buyout be damned!
I agree it's a win or go home type of season. If he can't do it someone else can.
i still think 7 and 5 is my take. if changes need take place i'll take Sumerall, Gruden has personal problem with certain people we don't need that.
i would love to see 7-5
The basketball team has a better chance of going 30 – 1 than the football team going 7 – 5. The football Cats will do well to win 5 games.
This is a win lose kind of year. We win we keep Stoops we lose we could possibly keep Stoops for another year when his buyout is about 25 million after this season? If Sumrall takes Tulane to the playoffs which I think he will. He will either be the coach of Mississippi state, Auburn, Arkansas, Florida? We better get him before another SEC school gives him a massive contract. I think if he could choose any school he would choose Kentucky. He said he wants to see Kentucky football win a championship. Let's give him all the resources he needs. I think in 2-3 years he will take us to the playoffs at Kentucky. I know 100% Stoops won't ever sniff the playoffs. We could possibly win 9 games just missing the playoff. I doubt we could go say 10-2 and make the playoffs. Not playing Texas, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Ole Miss, and South Carolina. You can forget it. We would be incredibly lucky to win 9 games in the new SEC. I think 6 or more wins Stoops keeps his job and I think we will win at least 7 games. Maybe 8.
Just read the article where Cutter Boley is hanging in there for the QB1 spot. That can be seen two ways: 1. He has a Great future in front of him; or 2. if he is or nearly equal Calzada (a seventh year Veteran), it does not speak highly of Zack.