Cats Must Put Florida in Past, Focus on LSU

Kentucky got over a hump on Saturday, beating Florida in Lexington for the first time since 1986. Now, the Cats are reaping the benefits of the big win.

Among those, in addition to all of the congratulations and pats on the back, Kentucky is now nationally ranked in both polls. The Cats check in at No. 14 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 16 in the Associated Press Poll.

But the celebrating can’t last into this week because Kentucky faces another big challenge on Saturday when LSU comes to town.

UK head coach Mark Stoops hopes that his team will be able to put the Florida win in the past and focus on the task at hand.

“We have to put that to bed really quick,” Stoops said on Monday. “We’re excited to get back on the practice field and get ready for the next opportunity.”

The UK head coach is confident that his team will be able to put Florida in the rear view mirror because of this team’s experience already this season.

“Because we’ve been humbled already this year with our play,” Stoops said. “I always tell our players that you’re going to get an opportunity to be humbled every seven days. We have been humbled. Fortunately, we were able to get away with a win.”

Stoops also knows that the best is yet to come for his Wildcats.

“But we haven’t played our best football,” Stoops said. “So they see the proof. Now, I hope they’re just hungry. And I believe they will be.”

After watching the film of the Florida game, Stoops was proud of how his team played.

“Proud of our team’s effort, after watching the film,” Stoops said. “We executed at an extremely high level.”

However, it was not a perfect game by any means. Stoops knows that the UK offense let some opportunities slip through the cracks.

“With an offense, you can’t afford (to miss opportunities),” Stoops said. “When we try to come back to (a play that has already been called), they’re fixed. You can’t miss those opportunities. You’ve got to hit them at the right time, at the right moment.  But I believe in what we’re doing and it will come around.”

However, Stoops knows that his team continues to improve, although he’s not sure how good they can be just yet.

“I don’t know what the ceiling is but I hope to get better today,” Stoops said. “We’re excited about it.”

As for this week, Stoops knows that LSU is a team that poses its own set of issues.

“Big challenge this week,” Stoops said. “Coach (Ed) Orgeron, LSU Tigers, always a great football team with tons of talent. They have players at every position. I have a lot of respect for Coach O and his players and his program.”

Stoops hopes that the Big Blue Nation will make another big impact on Saturday night’s game.

“I have no doubt,” Stoops said. “We’re just feeding them and they’ll be back out there in full effect on Saturday. It will be a great environment. Can’t wait.”

In the meantime, the Cats will go back to work and do their best to put the Florida game completely behind them. That’s what UK needs to do with LSU coming to Kroger Field this weekend.