Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Photo: Jay Biggerstaff/USA TODAY Sports
Mark Stoops and his team took some time off to recharge and be with family during the holiday, a much-needed break from the relentless grind of the college football season. Everyone returned to Lexington on Sunday (with the exception of a few flight complications) and today the team began its final week of football in 2020 with prep for the upcoming TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
To kick off the bowl week, Mark Stoops returned to his Monday press conference throne to answer questions from the media about his team. You can watch the entire discussion in the video below or read the transcript just south of the video player.
Opening Statement
“Yesterday they (players) had a couple flight issues but they got in late last night. They (late players) will be delayed one day in practice as they have to get their COVID test today. They have to clear that and get the results back before they can practice but other than that we are darn near 100%. On guys who got back yesterday they took the covid test and want to say there was 157 results we have back at this point are 100% clear so let’s hope it stays that way. We have to do another test on Wednesday. We got some good practices in prior to our Christmas break. It’s kind of nice we could have a normal week. We play on a Saturday so today is a typical Monday for us. We are ahead a little bit so we will try to get a little bit of work done to offset some pressure on Tuesday and Wednesday practices, so anxious to get back out there today.”
On what the Christmas holiday was like for his family…
“There’s not a lot of news in the football world, at least on my end, the past couple days. Christmas was really good. It was a much needed break and I really spent some time with the family, spent some time with the kids and that was really good.”
On the awards the team has received, including Darian Kinnard on All-America and where Kinnard is with his decision to return to UK or go pro…
“Darian receiving All-American honors, no surprise there. I think he should be even higher (than third team). I think he has had a good year and if he decides to come back he’ll be, in my opinion, he could be a consensus All-American. But where he’s at in that decision, we’re just gathering information. Darian’s been trying to talk to as many people as he can and I’ve tried to get him as much information as I can. I’m waiting to get back the official written documentation from the NFL and I believe they will leave lean heavily on that information. I’m not constantly trying to persuade him one way or the other, my job is to get him as many actual facts that I can from real people, from NFL people, and not people just telling him everything he wants to hear because that’s one of the problems that happens with juniors is everybody on the street and all the agents want to tell him everything he wants to hear. Every player deserves that opportunity to play in the NFL and I want them to and if the time is right then then we give him every blessing, so I want to get more information. I want to get the accurate information from the NFL, give him that feedback and have him make an accurate decision for him and his family. I love Darian either way. I think he’s going to be a pro either way and that’s his decision, it’s my job to help get him real clean information.”
On which, if any, seniors may use their extra year of eligibility from Covid relief…
“We’ve been so spent since the last time we talked. These guys needed some time off, we all did, so we’ve been in the office working but I haven’t bugged them. They know they have that opportunity. We talked to him and they needed some time off their back. I’ll see them today at 1:00 in a team meeting.”
On NC State’s running backs…
“Both are really good at getting yards after contact. We do feel like (No.) 7 (Zonovan Knight) has some home run ability but they’re both just really good players, both really solid, are hard to tackle, get yards after contact.”
On offensive guard Kenneth Horsey’s development and his return from open-heart surgery…
“It just says an awful lot about him. There’s many people that would have to definitely consider whether to put your body through the stress that it takes to compete at this level. After going through what he went through there’s a lot of people who would have second thoughts about that. I think the doctors have given him the ability to play the game that he loves and we’re just very proud that he’s out here, that he’s playing. I think he’s a young man that truly can count his blessings that he’s out here playing a game that he loves to play. We’re glad he’s here and we’re proud of him. He’s becoming a leader. He’s becoming a better football player each and every day and we’re certainly very grateful that he’s here because he has a teammate that wasn’t so fortunate.”
On the unique challenges of this season…
“I think things come up with the culture of your team, the challenge that we have of keeping joy within this season during such a stressful and challenging year. I think that’s been well documented. We talked about and I do feel like that helps in our preparation, it helps with their mental well-being and we feel better, we feel stronger. I know we had great practices prior to the (Christmas) break and I hope they continue through this week. I think it’s a testament to the work that we’ve been doing for 3, 4, 5, 6 years and trying to really create a very positive culture within our program.”
On some of the good things he’s seen…
“I think the football end of it is when we played together, I think offensively you talk about balance. When we are successful we have our balance and we’re able to throw the ball at least efficiently and effectively to keep people a little bit on their heels and not be so predictable. Defensively it comes down to, I know I talk about it all the time, but it’s just true, with that attitude and with that mentality. I could go off on a rant right now because you think about things that happened but when our team is mentally focused and ready to play and were in great position (defensive coordinator) Brad (White)’s gonna have them in good position. It’s a matter of really straining and executing and being mentally sharp and being dialed in and there were many times this year when I was a little disappointed (in that) to be quite honest with you. When I feel like we’re playing with a chip on our shoulder and an edge and we’re sharp mentally good things are going to happen.”
On whether he was surprised the players wanted to play in a bowl…
“Without a doubt I was pleased because listen, I think for the program, for coaches, for all of us it’s easy to want to do those things to talk about many years later saying, ‘Hey look at this stretch we had and look at the run that we had.’ But I would not do that at the expense of our players’ mental health. I absolutely was not going to influence them to do this and to play this game because I know I’m the one standing in front of them every day and believe me when you’re standing there talking in front of about 130, 140 people every day and you look them in the eye you have a pretty good feel for what they’re feeling. It was a challenge and they were spent and so I was pleased with the result of the vote. I was happy that they got a chance to get away and refresh and mentally recharge. They know I’m going to try to take care of them and make this an extremely positive experience for them in any way I can. We’re going to have a good practice today and then we’re going to go as a team and have a really nice dinner at Malone’s and try to spend some time together and take care of the contact tracing and really spread out but sit and try to enjoy each other’s company. I guess that’s the word I keep on coming back to, I’m glad we’re going and I think it’s the right decision. I think mainly I feel that way because that’s how they feel and I feel the joy that they have right now getting out there playing the game again that they love. It’s not the normal experience. It’s an away game so for them. It’s a grind, it’s work, it’s going back and forth from home cutting into their break at a time when they’ve been mentally challenged and I’m excited because the team’s excited. We’ve had a good experience so far and you know I’m happy for them and now it’s time, let’s go win the game. Any time we get in this position that competitive nature comes out of you. You want them to enjoy themselves but we want to get better, we want to improve and we want to win.”
On Keaton Upshaw’s development this season…
“I think he’s playing with better pad level, his releases are better, he’s playing faster and letting plays come to him. There’s times for big men they may be looking a little too early for the ball and we have to play with the athleticism and the speed that he has and he’s only a sophomore and he’s gotten better with every opportunity and I like what I’m seeing.”
On Max Duffy’s impact on the program…
“I think winning the Ray Guy Award a year ago really gave him a lot of recognition that he deserved. That’s a major award, the biggest award he could win for himself, along with being an All-American, so I think it’s been a really good experience for all of us. Max and I have a really good relationship. I think he thoroughly enjoyed his time here and I’m grateful for him, the job that he did for us. We’re going to miss him but he did a good job helping us recruit another Aussie and hopefully we’ll keep that tradition going.”
On the defensive line and the amount of pressure it got on opponents this season…
“I think that’s a fair criticism. We’re looking at it hard, we’re looking at whether it’s scheme, whether it’s technique, whether it’s individual athletic ability. We feel like we had a big-time player in J.J. (Weaver) and we still feel that way, unfortunately he’s out right now in this game and it will take him awhile to get back to 100 percent. You felt like a guy like J.J. was going to develop into an elite pass rusher. Boogie (Watson) definitely can create some great rushes and does a very good job, he’s been good for us for years. But I think it comes as what’s going on and (the offense) gets rid of the football quick. Like most things when you come up short in certain areas you have to look at everything and start with yourself schematically, what are we doing, are we putting them in a position to be successful? Are we covering the guys long enough to let him get there or creating enough pressure with our opportunities and pressures? That’s a shared responsibility that we understand and will continue to try to get better and also try to continue to recruit an elite pass rusher.”
On Vince Marrow calling plays for the bowl game…
“It’ll be a collaborative effort that’s for sure, as it always is putting a game plan together, but I have all the confidence in Vince. Any responsibility I give Vince and have given him through his time here he’s done it and he’s done it very well so you know he understands – he’s lighthearted and he’s a great recruiter and heads up that effort all the time – but when you put responsibility like this in front of him he takes that challenge also. Let’s not kid ourselves, at the end of the day we’re all competitive people and Vince has an opportunity to prove himself. I’m excited for him but there’s a lot of us in there trying to put together a good game plan that will come together and be effective for us.”
On whether they did anything unconventional to help lessen the stress of the season…
“I wouldn’t say there’s anything over the top that I did. I’m always trying to read the team and feel the pulse of that team and trying to change things up and have fun with them and create energy for them but I’m not going to lie, it was a challenge for them and for all of us. I feel we have done things of that nature once the regular season was over and we’re getting ready for this bowl game but during the regular season it was hard with Covid in trying to play games and going and doing fun things and even getting together in our team meeting. We tried to do it virtually but I just didn’t feel the connection. I had to start getting them in the team meeting room at whatever expense that was going to be and not to be negligent but I had to get in front of them, I have to see them. So we kept it under 15 minutes, we tried to always have a mask on but I had to look them in the eye and talk to them as much as I could because early in the year it just didn’t feel the same to me. We didn’t have the same connection and some of that was out of our control and so we’re doing our best to repair those relationships, not so much repair those relationships but always try to build those relationships.”
On thoughts on NC State…
“We talked about their running backs, I think they’re really good at yards after contact, they are hard to get down, they’re just both really tough runners. Their wideouts are really big and they do a nice job of creating space, they use their leverage and they create some space and go up and get some jump balls. With the tempo of their offense — again, I know Tim (Beck, offensive coordinator) and we go way back and their tempo can create problems. It can hurt an offense but a lot of times it helps and they do use their tempo to go extremely fast and then to create opportunities down the field. They have big wide receivers that can go up and make some plays so we have to be ready to contest those.”
On expectations for the QBs in the bowl game…
“We’ll see how it goes. Terry (Wilson) is our starter. I wanted to use this opportunity to continue to develop our young guys so I sure would like to play them. I talked about that with the quarterbacks and with Terry but I want to win the game too and if Terry is really playing well then we’ll ride it out and we’ll see how it goes. I know our other guys are preparing extremely hard as well.”
On what development young QBs can get out of bowl prep…
“There’s an opportunity to get better every time we step on the field and every time we step into a meeting room. You’re constantly seeing what the defense is doing, what are your options, what are your reads? Even if they change in a new system you still have an opportunity to get better every day; your accuracy, your footwork, the way you throw the football and again the discipline of your eyes. It’s no different at any position but it’s extremely important at quarterback.”
On the young defensive linemen…
“I hate to single out guys but right off my head I feel good about all those guys. I’ve said that Tre’vonn Rybka is a guy that maybe was behind a little early but we always felt like had great upside because of his length, and he’s twitchy, so he’s a guy we’re bringing along. We talked about (Octavius) Oxendine all year and talk about Josaih Hayes all year doing some really good things and so I think they’re all working hard and doing good. We talked a lot about Vito (Tisdale) this year he’s showing out and doing some good things and has a really bright future. (On offense, Izayah) Cummings is a guy that’s showing up. Earnest (Sanders) shows some flashes, again a very big, strong receiver who is going up and making some tough catches. They’ve got three more days here, hopefully they’ll continue to get better time for a couple more.”
On young players who may get an opportunity at cornerback…
“Andru Phillips is a guy that we’re very high on and Carrington (Valentine), both of those guys we’re high on. We think they’ve got big upside. Carrington has played and Andru is looking for the right opportunity but he’s had really good practices and he’ll get some snaps in this game so I feel good about both of those guys.”
On DE Josh Paschal…
“He’s a guy… it’s hard to phrase this the right way, sometimes he’s not honest with me because I’m like, ‘Josh, how you feeling?’ He’ll say, ‘I’m good.’ He’s just got an unbelievable attitude and work ethic, refuses to miss anything. I was visiting with him prior to the break and told him you know take a day, let’s try to get you healed up and he doesn’t want to do it. I think it’ll take some more time than we had right now for him to be 100 percent but I hope he’s close to it in this game. I know he’ll give us everything he has like he always does. That’s leadership and that’s somebody that’s always willing to give for others and he’s out there every day and he goes as hard as he can. You know in the South Carolina game finally at the end because even though we had the game in hand but you see Josh out there late in the game just giving it everything he has until finally we got brought him over on the sidelines and said, ‘Josh, that’s it. You’re done. You’re done for the day.’ That’s just who he is, he’s going to empty his tank every time he practices and every time he plays and that’s a great person. You admire his work ethic in the way he goes about his business and I’m quite sure all his teammates do as well.”
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December 29, 2020 at 04:45AM
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Stoops' Monday Press Conference: Watch (or read) all of it here. - kentuckysportsradio.com
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