Mark Stoops Knows Cats Now Need a SEC Home Win

Mark Stoops celebrated with UK players after the win at Auburn. (UK Athletics Photo)

Beating Auburn on the road to end a 10-game Southeastern Conference losing streak was a reason for Kentucky to celebrate. However, coach Mark Stoops made it clear after the game he really wanted to celebrate a home win.

Kentucky will get a chance to do that Saturday night when it hosts Florida.

“It is special going on the road and winning,” Stoops said after the 10-3 win at Auburn. “We are going back to work. It’s been a while since we had one (a win) at home. Let’s go get one at home. It’s important for us and our fan base.”

Quarterback Cutter Boley was SEC co-Freshman of the Week and junior Jalen Farmer SEC co-Offensive Lineman of the Week for their play at Auburn.

Boley completed 18 of 29 passes for 161 passing yards and a touchdown and added 24 rushing yards. It was just the third win at Auburn in UK’s history and he became the first UK freshman quarterback to win an SEC road game since Morgan Newton — Boley’s quarterback coach at Lexington Christian Academy — at Georgia in 2009.

Boley has completed 65 percent of his passes this season for 1,376 passing yards and 10 touchdowns this season.

Farmer graded out at a team-high 81 percent at Auburn. He did not miss an assignment in 64 offensive plays against an Auburn defense that entered the game fifth nationally in rushing defense, 21st in scoring defense and 29th in total defense. He had no penalties and did not allow a sack or pressure and had seven blocks at the point of attack.

Stoops admitted Monday the win at Auburn was special considering UK’s 2-5 start and criticism of him and the UK program.

“It was good for the players,  it was just fun for them to celebrate,” Stoops said. “They’ve worked hard, and it means a lot to them. Sometimes when you go through that stretch for a long time in between victories, it was really good for them. They deserved it. They worked really hard, and it was fun to celebrate, it was a relief.”

While UK offensive players were honored for their play, Stoops noted how well the defense played at Auburn to hold the Tigers to 240 yards and one field goal.

“I thought he (defensive coordinator Brad White) did a very good job of mixing things up,” Stoops said at his Monday press conference. “It’s happened several times this year, we feel like we’re getting somebody off balance. Not getting too predictable. I think we mixed it up quite well.

Stoops believes getting a win will show the players how their work has paid off.

“That’s like some of those hard losses we have. Yes, they hurt, because the guys invest so much work. They know they’re close, they know they’re getting better, but they’re not seeing the end result. To see the end result here, you hope it does,” Stoops said.

“You hope it catapults you. I know this. They’ve been very steady in their approach. Win or lose, we want to come back and try to win this week.”

Florida is coming off a loss to Georgia in a game where it had the lead late in the fourth quarter. The Gators fired head coach Billy Napier earlier this season.

Florida is led by quarterback DJ Lagway, one of the best dual threat quarterbacks in the SEC.

“They can create explosive plays and they have some elite athletes on the offensive side of the ball, and across the board on their team,” Stoops said. “But with DJ, he could throw the ball, he could hurt you with his legs, he buys time, and he has the strength to get the ball down the field.

“They can certainly hurt you at any time so it’s about team defense again.”