Mark Stoops Monday Press Conference
COACH MARK STOOPS NEWS CONFERENCE
Sept. 3, 2018
Opening statement
“I thought we did some good things. After watching the film, I was really proud of a lot of things we did this past Saturday. It’s always good getting the opener under your belt and getting that victory. It’ll make it much easier to be hard on our players this week about certain aspects of the game that we need to clean up and get better.
“Looking forward to this week’s challenge, going down to the swamp, first SEC game, division opponent, so we have a lot of work to do. I was pleased with many of the guys’ efforts this past Saturday and there’s quite a few things we need to get cleaned up.”
After looking at the film, what did you think of the quarterbacks and what’s the plan with them going forward?
“Both guys (Terry Wilson and Gunnar Hoak) did some really good things and both did some things you would expect from first time playing. I really enjoy having both guys. I’ve talked about that all camp. Both did some very good things and again, I appreciate Gunnar stepping in a difficult situation, making some plays and putting it in the end zone. That was really important for us, at that point, to go in leading (at halftime) after giving up four turnovers in the first half. That doesn’t happen very often. That was a big touchdown for him and really sparked us. It was also good to get Terry back in the second half and play well.”
What did you think of the defense after looking a little closer at the film?
“I was really pleased defensively. I felt there was a couple situations that are easily corrected. We need to get those corrected. One of the (plays) that led to one of their longer pass plays of the day really should have been a short gain, so we need to get that tidied up a little bit, leverage the ball and make the tackle and they’re punting or going for it on fourth or whatever. I’m not exactly sure what yard line they were on. That one was a play that sticks out. Also, the penalty. As I mentioned after the game, that extended that drive or we’re off the field there. So, both scoring drives we had opportunities to get off the field. Tidy up a few things and we’re there. Overall, their effort was very good. I thought we were very sharp in our communication. I thought our tackling was pretty strong for the first game, so overall pleased.”
Re: Kash Daniel’s individual play and everything else he was responsible for.
“Kash played like he’s been playing. To me, he didn’t stick out like a first-time starter. I haven’t looked at him that way because he’s been playing like that all spring, all camp, really didn’t look at him like a first-time starter until you really pointed it out to me right there. He’s been around, he’s been in our system, working hard. Another great example of a guy that had to earn his way on the field, keep on working, got himself better and now is playing at a very good level.”
How did the left offensive tackles (Naasir Watkins and E.J. Price) play?
“They did a good job. The one that sticks out to everybody, Naasir gave up the pressure and the hold early. After that, I thought they both did some very good things. Both, as you would expect fundamentally, need to get better because as our competition steps up this week the little things will catch up to you. But their effort was good, their assignments were pretty spot-on, couple here or there, but they played winning football. We just have to get some technique things cleaned up with them as we get better, face better players.”
Any lingering effects from Terry Wilson’s injury, how are you health-wise going into the game?
“No, we’re in good shape. We came out of there in pretty good shape with injuries.”
Re: Florida
“Very good. Only having one game with Coach Mullen being there. Obviously, we go back and study Mississippi State quite a bit, been watching a lot of that. With the opponent they opened with, they didn’t have to tip off too much of what they’re going to do. But we don’t expect them to vary very much from what he did at Mississippi State, so we’ll be prepared for all that. We broke them down in the off-season, so they’re a good football team, just like you’d expect a Florida team to be.
“They have some difference-makers on defense at all level of their defense. They have some disruptors up front. Their linebacker’s a really good player and their secondary, I think they gave up three yards (passing yards vs. Charleston Southern). I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that. That’s pretty good. They have some very good players.
“Offensively, they’re doing some good things, just like you would expect from a Florida team. You got some speed at wide receiver, very good running backs and their quarterback played really good this past week. We’ll have our hands full.”
What surprised you about A.J. Rose’s play on Saturday?
“It really didn’t surprise me. I’d been seeing that. As we’ve talked in here many times, he’s been more consistent, he’s been playing that way, he has the talent. We, once again, have to clean up a few issues. He gave up a pressure that we believe was going to lead to a very, very big play. Those are things this past week, this last game we felt like there were five opportunities for big plays and we gave up a bit of pressure here, different guy every time. It wasn’t like just the offensive line or just the running backs. Overall they did some very good things. When we have an opportunity to have some big plays we need just a fraction more protection and we have some opportunity for big plays. A.J. was one of them.”
A.J. told us he rooms with Benny and when Benny got sick, he knew he might need to carry more of the load. He said Benny’s been coaching him up, giving him some pointers. What does that say about their relationship, Benny’s ability to help him?
“They are very close. That’s a lot like our team right now. I think that was evident with those two and Benny certainly helping him and as I mentioned about A.J., is him looking himself in the mirror and improving on any of his weaknesses. He has the talent and is playing very good football. He’s playing better and better. The protection things will come with some playing time. Also, to your point, I think the team is a lot like that. There was zero panic on the sideline Saturday. There was no finger pointing. Everybody’s just going to move on to the next play and that’s what the team did, so I was very pleased with that.”
On pass protection and what the hardest adjustment for a running back to make in coming from high school to college; knowing where the rusher is coming from or what you do in pass protection…
“A combination of the two. One of the pressures that we got cleaned up, at first glance really looked like his, but really went to one of our tight ends. So, getting that communication straight with different looks and with movement. If you remember last year early on the nuances we were struggling a bit in the run game, the communication and even with some protection, this year in much cleaner in that way. So we’re still further ahead even with the young left tackles. But, there are some things on protection that we’ll get sealed up. There’s going to obviously be a lot of one-on one-situations we have to win throughout the year that are tough match-ups, with very talented players. But, there are also some protection things that we could just get cleaner. One of them was that way with the communication with the communication with the tight end and the back. Another one was just I’d say the speed and the physicality of the guys coming at him is much different than he’s been used to inside of practice. We don’t ever truly go full go where they can cut (block) and things like that. So, it’s just the speed of the game. He’ll be fine.”
On if he can sense a different vibe from the Florida program since Dan Mullen arrived…
“I would have no idea. I don’t pay attention to what’s being said down there outside of this week with injuries and things. I watched the film and it looked like a very good football team and it doesn’t surprise me. Dan is a very good coach.”
On what he thinks Feleipe Franks brings to Florida’s offense…
“He just looked much more comfortable. I think they gave him just enough reads and quarterback runs where he was comfortable in his decisions. Threw some very accurate passes. He’s got some good weapons to throw to. So, he just looked like a year older and very comfortable.”
On if he can expect his players to understand what breaking the losing streak to Florida would mean to everyone…
“I never dance around that question. It is important to us for that reason, but we can’t focus on it for that reason. We need to focus on it because it’s this year. It’s an SEC team, it’s in the East, and we want to win some football games and they are next on the schedule. That’s truthfully what it is about. These guys cannot worry about 30-some years and all that. They really can’t. Winning is important to our team each and every week and that’s the approach we’ll have.”
On if he will talk to the team about last year’s Florida game…
“Well you really don’t go back to last year because it’s a new staff. Obviously we’ll watch the film. We’ll go back to last year for Mississippi State. We will watch quite a bit of that.”
On if he thinks the team will draw confidence from watching the film or if it will bring negative thoughts back…
“I really don’t ever really dance around that like I said, it is what it is. Our players read and they understand what’s going on. I could tell them to stay off social media and reading articles, but that’s not going to be the case. Again, our concentration needs to be on what we have to do this year. Once again when I’m back up here in several weeks and you’re asking me about the South Carolina (game) I’m going to say that means absolutely nothing to me, last year. So why on the reverse should it really matter? It’s about what we do this year, how we play, how we prepare, are we making plays at the right times and those things.”
On if he expects to have a shorter leash on his quarterbacks because they are playing an SEC opponent…
“No. If you watched me, covered me, for the years that I’ve been here I really don’t believe in having a short leash for a quarterback, again within reason. I’m not going to sit here and tell you how everything is going to play out because I don’t know.”
On if he expects the same growth between game one and game two that he saw between scrimmage one and two…
“I do. I think there are some things that are easy fixes. But, there are some things that are going to be a work in progress. We have to get on that quickly. The last time we broke in a new quarterback two years ago, our turnovers were up. Last year Stephen (Johnson) did a great job, and our team did a great job and our turnovers were really down outside of the one game where it got contagious and that can’t happen again. I know we will concentrate on protecting the football.”
On the defensive line …
“I felt like we played quite a few guys, kept them fresh. I think in the first game some of that popped up. I thought our team was in really good condition. If you watched games at all this weekend, it’s hot and guys are cramping up. I felt like our team was really strong and in good condition and it does help to have some depth at the defensive line, in particular. So those guys, I thought, did some good things. We were able to go deep. We’re always looking for some impact plays, but if nothing else the defense was very, very sound and everybody was taking care of their primary responsibilities. We’ve got a chance when we do that.”
On David Bouvier punt returns …
“I thought he did a good job. Like I said, early in the game there was some really difficult punts to field. Later, there were some equally difficult punts and he did a good job of securing those for us. Obviously, he put one on the ground later too, and that’s what I talked to him about on the field. Again, today I’ll talk to him about it. At that point he did a great job. He saved us yards by fielding (the ball). Get what he can and get down, not try to do too much. He probably already saved 15 yards in hidden yardage right there by fielding that ball. So, at that point we’ve got to be aware and get down. Take what you can get and get down. And we’ll work on that, but that’s the first time I have ever seen that kid put the ball on the ground. He’ll be fine. I thought our special teams really did a great job. I want to say we gained in the neighborhood of 60-some-odd yards in special teams and hidden yardage. That’s a big factor. We’re looking for plus-15, so that was significant.”
On who impressed him on Saturday that hadn’t played much in games before …
“Well, I think you have to go to the left tackles because they had a lot of pressure on them. I was really proud of the way they played. We expected them to do that, and we expect them to get better. They played winning football, and they had a great attitude.”
On what he has seen from E.J. Price since the spring …
“He’s doing just a very good job. It’s hard for those guys, and people go through things. He’s gone through a lot, and he’s come through it. You take away somebody’s hope and you take away everything. I think getting on the field and having some positive things happen to him, he’s been good.”
On preparing the team for “The Swamp” …
“Is there anything you can do? No. No. No. We prepare, and the things we coach them to do and concentrate on their assignments and little things. That’s not a cliché. I’m not a big cliché guy, but it’s very, very true. You do the little things right over and over and over, big things will happen. We have some unbelievable clips of the past game where if we just do the little things, big plays were going to happen instead of negative ones. That’s the beauty of having this film and getting corrected and be on with it. When you’re in that environment, you have to embrace it, but you have to concentrate on what you have to do.”
On what it’s like to recruit in Florida …
“I was at three schools down there. I coached at [University of] South Florida, Florida State [University], and [University of] Miami. So, I’ve been through there for years. A lot of good players, and what’s it like? I think there’s just a lot of players playing football. They’re outside working and some good players. Good coaches. Good programs.”
On Nick Saban’s remarks about being questioned about his quarterbacks …
“Well I don’t think I could get after you like he can. (laughter) I mean I could, but I don’t know how well that’s going to go over. (laughter) I know seven days later I’ll have a big bullseye on my chest (laughter), but I did relate to the remark. It was very poignant in that I don’t want to talk anything negative about either of our guys, any of our guys, including Danny [Clark]. When people try to get you to ask what one guy’s doing, it’s insinuating that the other one’s not doing that. I can relate to that and just want to be very positive about our guys. And what better example than this past Saturday for us? With the way Gunnar went in, again that is a very big moment. It’s a great teaching moment for our team. For our young guys because he could have gone in the tank and moped, cried or complained or pointed fingers, but he just worried about himself and preparing and went in in a very difficult situation and performed. I’m proud of him for that.”
On whether there was a common theme with UK’s turnovers …
“Interceptions are going to happen. Fumbles, we have to avoid. I thought Benny took a shot right on the football. He had it tucked and so he was carrying the ball the way we teach it. He just took a really good shot right on the football and we got that one back. Just being loose with it, we’ll overemphasize that again. But we’re not going to panic about it. Like I said, we’ve been pretty solid with that. We have to get it under control because, again, from our past experience, you go back two years (at Florida), we turn the ball over like we did that year then the results are not going to be very good.”
On Central Michigan forcing a lot of turnovers last year …
“I thought they did a much better job. Some of their ball carriers from the year before, we were watching them and they were loose with the ball. We emphasized that to our defensive guys and they did make some improvement in that area. You know what, I could go back years—I mean, heck, I think my first year here—was it first or second? Jen (Smith), you probably know. First or second year, we led the country in fumble recoveries. Now were we really that physical? Or were we fortunate? That’s being honest.”
On turnovers being luck at times …
“Well that’s what I’m saying. We led the country – one of you will look it up and correct me – but we were very, very high in fumble recoveries and, believe me, we were not that physical of a team. We were fortunate to get the ball. When the ball’s down there, at that point it’s 50-50.”
On UK’s offense responding after turnovers …
“I thought the defense did a great job of holding us in the game when we were turning it over because four fumbles in the first half, 10 points–the defense wasn’t on the field for seven and held them to zero yards and a field goal on another. I think that was really big, but also having each other’s back. And then the offense coming back, putting points on the board and keeping the positive energy. Went into halftime no panic, let’s make the corrections and go out there and I thought we played a very good second half.”
On playing against coaches like Dan Mullen and Todd Grantham that he has faced often …
“I guess so. You know how it is with me. It is what it is. I don’t really dwell on it or worry about it one way or another. Just approach each situation with what it is. They’re good coaches, but we just gotta continue to do our job and concentrate on what we’re doing. We really don’t worry too much about what others do other than game plan it and trying to get the ball moved or stop them. But they’re good coaches and we have a lot of respect for that.”
On using experience in 2014 at Florida as a coaching point …
“We do more, but we more worry about us. And so if you’re going to use history as a past example, the last time we went down there we didn’t start very fast and we certainly didn’t start very good Saturday. I think that is one point that we’ll communicate the right way, is getting a fast start. You do let it get away from you and let those fans get involved and then you let them get aggressive on both sides of the ball, things can get out of hand real quick. You see that in a lot of those environments if you watch some of these places when the fans are going to explode. You can’t give them that opportunity. I think getting off to a fast start is important.”
On whether fast starts impact the odds of winning in the way that winning the rushing battle does …
“I don’t know whether that would change the percentages or not, but your other point about running the ball, it’s definitely a factor. As I’ve mentioned many teams, the teams that outrush are going to have a higher percentage of winning. It’s not guaranteed, but it’s important. But you’re also playing a very physical team, so you’re gotta have some balance. I think if you just look at last year’s game against Florida personnel wise—you talked about that. Not scheme but just personnel wise, I thought coaches did a really good job of keeping them off balance on early downs.”
On DeAndre Square’s play …
“He did very good for his first game, a lot like we had been seeing out of him. We really wanted to get Chris (Oats) some more reps, but, yeah, DeAndre’s doing some good things.”
On whether anyone besides the left tackles played well on the offensive line …
“George Asafo(-Adjei) played extremely good. He had a really good game. George has been a solid player, as you know, for years. He was named a captain by his teammates and went out and played a very good game.”
