Ad Disclosure
Mark Stoops comments on Iowa’s defense, quarterback play ahead of Music City Bowl
By Corey Long
Published:
Mark Stoops understands that points could be at a premium Saturday afternoon when the Kentucky Wildcats and Iowa Hawkeyes play in the Music City Bowl.
Iowa (7-5) has the No. 1 defense in the SP+ rankings, yes even better than Georgia’s, and its carried a Hawkeyes offense that has scored 13 or less points five times this season.
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops at the podium:
"It's gonna be a tough, physical game, once again. Gonna be a close game."
Promises that Kentucky is looking forward to the opportunity to compete in the Music City Bowl against Iowa tomorrow.
— Hunter Shelton (@HunterShelton_) December 30, 2022
The game is a rematch of the 2022 Citrus Bowl, a game that Kentucky won 20-17. That game was a little emotional for Stoops, who was a defensive back at Iowa in the last 1980s. But the Wildcats coach seems to be more comfortable facing his alma mater for the second time in a calendar year.
Stoops says playing Iowa was a little different last year.
"At this point, i'm used to it now."
Says it'll be more business-like this go-round.
— Hunter Shelton (@HunterShelton_) December 30, 2022
Kentucky will be without quarterback Will Levis and top running backs Chris Rodriguez and Kavosiey Smoke, all of whom opted out of the game.
The Wildcats will likely play more than one quarterback Saturday with redshirt freshman Kaiya Sheron likely to get the start.
Stoops says command will be the main thing he looks for from his quarterbacks tomorrow.
Credits Iowa for having a stout defense, again calls it a challenge.
— Hunter Shelton (@HunterShelton_) December 30, 2022
How do you feel about the Kentucky’s chances against Iowa tomorrow?
Corey Long is a freelance writer for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow Corey on Twitter @CoreyLong.
