Mark Stoops Press Conference
Mark Stoops News Conference
Post-Texas, Pre-Tennessee
Kroger Field Media Room
October 20, 2025
Opening statement…
“Lot of mixed emotions after this past week. Really encouraged with the way our team played. Really set up well for us, I appreciate the fans and ex-players, and so many people around and excited about that game and encouraged with the way our kids played. Disappointed with the outcome and that’s what’s heartbreaking. Our fans deserve it. Our players deserve it, and our team has worked extremely hard to improve, and that I greatly appreciate. We need a different result, and we’re gonna go back to work.
“We have another great opportunity here this week with Tennessee and a team that’s playing very well. They had a tough loss and a big rivalry game this past week, and I’m sure they’re looking to bounce back and come in here and play us. But a very good football team, extremely explosive, averaging 44 points a game, number two in the country (in scoring). Typical Tennessee offense, very hard to defend, very fast. The quarterback’s playing at an exceptional level, three wide receivers and more, an abundance of receivers with three that really stand out, very good at the offensive line. and defensively, playing equally as good, very disruptive up front. Lead the SEC in sacks, very stout on the front level with the D-line, probably have one of the best players in the SEC at linebacker, playing good in the back end.
“Another great opportunity, looking forward to getting back with our players today. Saw a good deal of them yesterday around the building. They’re in good spirits and ready to go back to work. For me, it’s the same, disappointed in the outcome, but very much enthusiastic about getting back to work here this week, and encouraged to get around our players and continue to improve.”
On what he’s seen from Cutter Boley since early in the South Carolina game…
“A number of things, he’s more comfortable in the pocket. He’s been doing a good job of working around there, and even under duress, he’s been delivering the football. I was very encouraged by the completion percentage. When you can complete 80% against that type of defense under duress. That says a lot. It’s also encouraging because the receivers are stepping up and playing better as well, and in a better plan, if you will, doing some things to make sure we’re helping them in that area.”
On how emotional Boley was after the Texas game and if you’re worried about his spirits…
“That’s no issue with him, none at all. We visited yesterday and didn’t at all address that because I don’t need to with him. He’s very positive, he’s very confident, I love that about him very much. That’s to be expected after that game. I heard people talk about that with me, or my demeanor. I was disappointed for the fans, disappointed for our players, and obviously for the program. I mean, that’s important, but again, encouraged with the way we played, and I think all of us are, you know, feel that way. Whatever we focus on will determine how we feel and what we do.”
On retroactive thoughts on the offensive OT possession…
“Very much with how I felt in-game. I don’t want to create a stir because I thought Bush (offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan) 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. I would probably start with first and goal from the three and what set we were in, and what we were doing; play two, we tried a good play-action pass, Cutter 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’ copy, we were inches (short). 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).”
On red zone offense and possible more creativity…
“Yeah, I think that’s fair. And again, 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. And think we’re making strides in a lot of areas. That’s one where a lot of times you watch football, you watch it in 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.”
On more 1-on-1 offensive passing game victories, particularly with the wide receivers…
“I believe I’ve talked about it here. And again, I think tongue in cheek, you’ve listened to me talk for a long time and sometimes it’s coach-speak or whatever, but I really feel like the way they work, we have a lot of bodies there, and the way they’ve been working hard for the entire season. But I think since Cutter’s been involved in what we are trying to do, I feel like those guys have taken it to another level with their work ethic throughout the week and we are trying to find some continuity, trying to find some new guys. We played DJ (Miller) the most he’s played this year, Cam (Miller) the most he’s played, and (Troy) Stellato is getting back involved. So I just feel like there’s a mixture of guys and there’s some progress there. And I think a lot of it comes down to quarterback and ball placement, and I think Cutter’s playing at a high level.”
On the defense’s effort vs. Texas…
“Yeah, without a doubt. We’ve come in before here on Mondays and I have to address tackling issues and all those things. And what I always say is it’s team, it’s team defense. The one-on-one exposure popped its ugly head in the punt return game. They beat us in some one-on-ones and so we play very good people. These are elite players and they beat us in one-on-one in the punt returns. People are going to say ‘what happened? What did you do?’ It was a great punt, we had a guy right in front of him and we missed the tackle. And there’s things we could do better, there are things we will address. We had been really good at that point, we had only given up one punt return all year. By the way, we played the number one punt return person in the country at South Carolina, and held him to minus-5 yards. So we take pride in what we do there too, and have done it very well, it wasn’t good enough in this game. No excuses, wasn’t good enough. But defensively, same thing, I felt like we did a lot of good things, but it comes down to team defense and being in good position, guys swarming, feeding off the crowd and playing well. So, we played a good game. I was very proud of the effort that they’ve given and I think the coaches did a great job of putting them in a good position.”
On linebacker Grant Godfrey…
“Yeah, Grant, he didn’t get a ton of opportunities in that game. We did play five backers but again, I think he’s just a guy that needs reps. He’s getting better. The guys in front of him are playing pretty good. But it is good to get that experience and continue to bring him along.”
On offensive tempo…
“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. 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.”
On recent two-minute drives and Boley’s success with them…
“Just his instincts. Like the drive at the end of the game when he scrambled, things like that. Off-schedule, not perfect, very good defense. What was there he took, made a quick decision, got us started there. He’s made good decisions. I think offensively, we’ve had decent protection, good drive starters, and even though he was off-schedule there, he made a good play. He’s just been operating. In practice it’s been that way. Bush has been really hard on him on quick decisions and being decisive and, as you know the people we’re playing, the D-Linemen they have, they can harass you in a hurry. So I think it’s been making good, quick decisions.”
On RB Seth McGowan not getting a touch in OT…
“In overtime we hit the play to the three (yard line) and then he was very banged up. He wasn’t just a little banged up. He was at the hospital. So I think putting our big guy (Dante Dowdell) in there wasn’t a bad choice.”
On whether they’re playing more aggressive defensively…
“Not really, but I don’t have the exact numbers and there may have been a few more pressures in there, but the simulateds, the pressures, the mix-ups, maybe a touch more in that game, but not drastically. The defensive line played better, but the simulateds were effective. Your idea of pressure and mine may be different, but coach (defensive coordinator Brad White) did a really good job. Brad did a very good job. We went straight man (pass coverage). We did some eyes coverage where we’re bringing pressure, zone underneath. And we’ve done some simulateds where it appears that you’re bringing pressure and you’re only really bringing four (rushers). So we did bring in that game a simulated (pressure) with different varieties of four, five and six (rushers). So we mix it up pretty good and it was effective.”
On if it’s harder to do that against Tennessee’s offensive style…
“Yeah, it is. It is. Tennessee is a bit more conventional with their splits this year but still get wide at times and they do an exceptional job. The quarterback is playing at a super high level with the arm strength and their receivers could really put a lot of pressure on you. They win one-on-ones a lot and they do a great job of mixing it up. With Josh (Coach Josh Heupel) and his offenses, we’ve talked about it here because we play them so much but people that don’t, don’t realize how effective they are in the run game. And this year, they’re rushing for 200 yards a game, throwing for 300. I believe they’re actually throwing it better than they have in some time. And that’s saying a lot, they generally throw it very well, but this year I feel like they’re even taking it to another level with their pass game.”
On CBs Terhyon Nichols and D.J. Waller…
“Terhyon played a very good game, one of his best games against elite competition. He’s getting more confident and just played a very good game. We needed him to and (he) was much better on the perimeter and all those things we’ve been talking about in here. So, very proud of the effort of Terhyon and he’s a great young man, great leader, plays with a lot of confidence. He really cares about his team. He’s terrific. Can’t say enough good things about him.”
“D.J. is very disappointed. He has worked his tail (off). He’s a guy that I have to hold back, all the way back. Before the bye, he was trying like heck to play. He’s going through it now but with hamstrings, I’ve said it before, you think you’re ready to go and then it’s just unfortunate. He went out there Friday, so excited. I don’t know if he was running around too much on a Friday. We did an MRI and there is definitely a spot. It’s a little setback. We’ll see whether it’s in the scar tissue or whether it’s new and try to get him back as soon as possible. But, I know he’s chomping at the bit.”
On Tennessee’s passing attack…
“It’s a challenge. I just alluded to it with the last question but they’re playing at a really high level, they really are. Three very good receivers, one freshman and two older guys, they’re really elite. They really get out of their breaks. They put a ton of pressure on you with their speed. We know their big play capability but then they shut it down and the quarterback delivers it so they can get it there in a hurry.”
On Tennessee’s defensive scheme and the problems that poses…
“They’re good. They’re sound. But they play really hard. They play really good. It starts with their guys up front being very disruptive on both sides of the line of scrimmage. They’re playing at a high level. They’re elite. They’re very good players on their O-line and their D-line.They’re aggressive and they score a lot of points like that. They’re aggressive and they do a good job with takeaways as well. So they’re playing good.”
On Seth McGowan’s status…
“He is a tough young man, and he really wants to play. The fact that he was at the hospital, came back, and finished (the game) says a lot about him, as I mentioned postgame. He’s banged up but we expect him back.”
On offensive line depth…
“We have been fortunate with that (the five starting offensive linemen), we’re working hard, practice has been really good. We’re continuing to develop all those guys. We do feel that we have guys who are ready to win and step up. We will see when that opportunity comes.”
On running back Jason Patterson…
“He’s doing a good job, very happy for Jason. It shows the steady progress from him, just working hard every day. He puts his head down and goes to work every day; it’s paying off for him.”
On the passing game being spread around…
“It has to do with us performing at a better level, right? More first downs you get, more plays, more touches. Cutter is doing a very good job. We moved the ball very efficiently. Obviously we need to be better in the red zone, the short yards on the first possession, and the goal line. But we are moving the ball much better and getting more plays. Therefore, there’s going to be people getting more touches.”
On the efficiency of the two-minute drill in both halves vs. Texas…
“Very much so. We’ve been efficient in the two-minute drill. Cutter is doing a very good job as I mentioned earlier. I think he just had a good feel for it, making quick decisions, guys making some plays. Seth was dynamic with the check-down getting us started, so a variety of things.”
On opening play of OT being something that hasn’t been run all game…
“We hadn’t run it that way, that exact way all night. We have a variety of ways to get Kendrick (Law) the ball. It depends exactly who’s there as well but we wanted to get it started and we have two big guys getting started (there) and it depends how quickly the next threat shows up.”
On punt return defense, possibility of kicking it out of bounds…
“I can’t dispute the facts. I can only tell you our thought process going into it. Going into it, they (opponents) had one punt return all year. It’s easy to say that afterwards, that we missed with that punt, good punts. A lot of times in our coverage unit you’ll hear me talk about the kicking game itself. It’s not always on the coverage, it’s on the kicker sometimes with a kickoff return or a punt return. Those were good punts but we had a guy flat right in front of him (the returner). There’s a couple other things that were areas where we need to work on today that we can. After the fact you can easily say that. But again, we had been exceptional in net punting and doing very well all year and had confidence in that. We want to attack things the right way and not have to feel like you have to kick it out of bounds but there are things we certainly will do better. We had a guy flat right directly in front of him. He thought he was going to fair catch it and I’d rather have run right through him and we’ve done that before and have tried to coach that up too. We’ll continue to work at it but our philosophy is, we’ve been very effective, very efficient. After that punt return we’re last and going into it we’re top … I want to say prior to that as I mentioned we I think we (had given up) 25 punt return yards all year.”
On putting Troy Stellato in as punt returner…
“When I saw that in the game I went to coach (special teams coach Jay Boulware) during the game and said, ‘That’s it for tonight.’ Obviously it gets in your head and he’s human and it happens. I didn’t want him (Ty Bryant) thinking about it. He has a lot of stress on him playing defense as well. We have other guys so I thought for the night it was the smart thing to do.”
(on status of that position) “We’ll see. I don’t need to throw Ty under the bus right now either. Ty’s a great young man, playing his tail off and it’s not easy. It’s different in that stadium too. It’s different with wind. It’s not easy. He’s done a great job and we’ll work on it.”
