Stoops Still Has No Regrets With OT Play Calls

Mark Stoops with defensive coordinator Brad White during UK's game with Texas. (Vicky Graff Photo)

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said Monday he didn’t “want to create a stir” by second guessing the final four plays that offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan called in overtime in Saturday’s 16-13 loss to Texas.

Remember Kentucky had a first down at the Texas 3 to start overtime but got stopped on four runs by the Longhorns, including the final two when Dante Dowdell tried to leap into the end zone.

“I thought Bush did a really good job in that game plan, and we moved the ball very well, as good as anybody has all year against them. There’s plays in there that, I think, we would like to look at differently,” said Stoops.

Then he proceeded to go through the final four plays that didn’t get UK into the end zone.

“I would probably start with first and goal from the three and what set we were in, and what we were doing (when Dowdell got stopped for no gain),” Stoops said.  “Play two, we tried a good play-action pass, Cutter (Boley) was good. He ad-libbed and got a few yards. They covered it well, the pass play.

“Play three and play four, I don’t have regret on that. I don’t. Right or wrong, I don’t. Watching it on the coaches’ (video) copy, we were inches (short of the end zone). We were literally two inches from that ball crossing on play three. Inches – his head was across. The ball was probably in his chest.

“I’m not saying it’s a bad call, but I mean, it was either in or inches (short).”

Kentucky got stopped on two short yardage situations on its first offensive series of the game — a scenario that happened often last season on short yardage plays.

“I don’t regret on play three and four. When they don’t win, I mean obviously, throw a fade or do something. Yes, there are definitely things we can do. That’s fair. That is fair criticism,” Stoops said. “And I think we’re making strides in a lot of areas.

“That’s one where a lot of times you watch football, you watch it at the pro level, you watch it in college, you create 1-on-1’s and you win. We have to give our kids good opportunities. I feel like our quarterback is playing at a very high level right now and so he places it in some spots where our guys maybe have an opportunity.”

Kentucky did play with more pace on offense at times Saturday, something it has not done often this season, but did not do that in overtime.

“It’s just trying to change the pace, trying to spark the offense. We did run a heck of a lot of plays, which was really good,” Stoops said Monday. “And by the way, you’ve heard me talk about that for a long time too. As we get more plays, people get more touches.

“Tight ends are touching the ball, the backs touch the ball, receivers are touching the ball. If we can get more plays, we look at all options. Obviously this week (is) a little different with how fast Tennessee plays, but if we could use a change of pace, we will.”