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What Mark Stoops said after Kentucky was beaten down by Louisville
By Cody McClure
Published:
Kentucky was hammered by in-state rival Louisville on Saturday 44-17.
The Wildcats’ embarrassing loss was not the way they wanted to finish the season, and head coach Mark Stoops made that much clear in the post-game press conference.
The main takeaway from Stoops was how disappointed he was in the way his team played. He took ownership for that.
With the blowout loss, the ‘Cats fell to 7-5 on the season.
Here’s what Stoops had to say after the loss:
Mark Stoops: ‘Long day at the office today. … Not a very good effort on any of our parts. … I did not do very good job preparing us’
— Mark Story (@markcstory) November 25, 2017
Stoops: “We certainly did not play with the discipline and character that this football team has. That’s not acceptable.”
— Fletcher Page (@FletcherPage) November 25, 2017
On the sideline scuffle:
Stoops on Jordan Jones: “He’s definitely an emotional guy. I’ve got to control that better, coach that better.”
— Fletcher Page (@FletcherPage) November 25, 2017
Stoops: Took way too long for us to dial that back (scuffle on sideline) frustration kicked in cause we weren’t stopping them.
— Freddie Maggard (@FredMaggard) November 25, 2017
Stoops says he needs to work more on holding Jones accountable, but says “I don’t know” when asked why he wasn’t taken out of game. “I don’t want us to represent this university that way. … Obviously the game got very chippy early.”
— Jason Riley (@JasonRileyWDRB) November 25, 2017
Stoops: On penalties…Does bother you, especially when on losing end. It’s not a good look. Rivalry games are heated, still no excuse for some of that on either side.
— Freddie Maggard (@FredMaggard) November 25, 2017
On Nick Haynes’ tweet:
Stoops: On Nick Haynes…Talked Nick about that. Disappointed in that as well. Just had probably one of the better team meetings, emotional meeting. Lot of good vibes. Let Nick answer if he wants.
— Freddie Maggard (@FredMaggard) November 25, 2017
Stoops asked about Nick Haynes’ tweet last night, says he’ll keep it between coach and player. They “put it to bed” last night, but it’s up to Nick if he wants to comment moving forward. Said it surprised him because they just had one of the best team meetings that day.
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) November 25, 2017
Issues on defense:
Stoops says lack of defensive progress is frustrating & disappointing for him
— Mark Story (@markcstory) November 25, 2017
Stoops: On defense not taking steps forward….I am surprised. I felt like we did at times and took steps back. Frustrating for me. For everyone in program.
— Freddie Maggard (@FredMaggard) November 25, 2017
Stoops: We talked about discipline all week: preparation, focus, execution, and none of it came together today.
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) November 25, 2017
On Kentucky’s growth and moving forward:
Stoops: I don’t think we’d gotten to seven victories if we hadn’t grown in some ways. Consistency is not where it needs to be.
— Freddie Maggard (@FredMaggard) November 25, 2017
We’ve got a solid class and are recruiting at a high level, Stoops said. He’s not worried about upcoming signing class.
— Jen Smith (@jenheraldleader) November 25, 2017
Stoops: I’m not happy. You’re not happy. Most of us aren’t.
— Freddie Maggard (@FredMaggard) November 25, 2017
Fortunately we do have a bowl game and we can get back on track, Stoops said. Players need to get away from here for a bit and decompress.
— Jen Smith (@jenheraldleader) November 25, 2017
I told the team “we’re going to stick together,” Mark Stoops said.
— Jen Smith (@jenheraldleader) November 25, 2017
On Kentucky’s elite running back:
Stoops: Benny is a guy that’s really emotional, plays so tough. I really appreciate Benny, tough yards he rushed for.
— Freddie Maggard (@FredMaggard) November 25, 2017
On QB Stephen Johnson:
Stoops: On what Stephen Johnson meant to program..>Meant a great deal. Tough for all of us to have last game at home to go out that way. He’s represented us the right way.
— Freddie Maggard (@FredMaggard) November 25, 2017
Stoops says Johnson was okay in terms of health, can’t answer if anything else is wrong with him.
— Kernel Sports (@KYKernelSports) November 25, 2017
Stoops takes ownership:
Stoops: Time today that I accept the responsibility for and need to get corrected.
— Freddie Maggard (@FredMaggard) November 25, 2017
Stoops thanks UK fans for support this year. ‘I am definitely disappointed way we played to day.’
— Mark Story (@markcstory) November 25, 2017
Cody McClure is an SEC Football Writer for Saturday Down South. He lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he also co-hosts a midday sports radio show for FOX Sports. Cody previously worked for Athlon Sports.
