The Mark Stoops Show presented by UK HealthCare, September 1st 2025

The Voice of the Wildcats, Tom Leach talks with head coach Mark Stoops

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
From the UK Sports Network. This is the Mark Stoop
Show presented by UK Healthcare. To talk to Coach Stoops,
call the Clark's Pumpin' Hump Pig Blue online eight five
nine two eight zero Cats that's eight five nine two
eight zero two two eight seven or state wide at
one eight hundred six oh six game that's one eight

(00:25):
hundred and six oh six four two six three, Or
you can tweet your questions to at UK Sports Network.
The Mark Stoop Show, presented by UK Healthcare begins. Now
here's the voice so the Cats, Tom Leach.

Speaker 2 (00:46):
Goodday, everybody, Happy Labor Day. Thank you for joining us
to talk Kentucky football for the next hour as the
Wildcats get set to go into SEC play this week
against the Old Miss Rebels. Cats come off as he's
an opening win against Toledo on Saturday, and we'll talk
about that and more with Coach Stoops a little later.
We'll get to some of your questions. You can send

(01:08):
those in via social media on x or Twitter. It's
at UK Sports Network. You can post on the Facebook
page for Kentucky Football, or you can give us a
call on the Clark's Pumping Shop phone line. This is
The Mark Stoop Show, presented by UK Healthcare on the
UK Sports Network.

Speaker 1 (01:26):
You are listening to The Mark Stoop Show, presented by
UK Healthcare on the UK Sports Network.

Speaker 3 (01:41):
Now.

Speaker 1 (01:41):
Mark Stoop Show is brought to you by Kroger, Little Caesars,
UK Healthcare and by Coca Cola. You're all timely word

(02:03):
bill Mark Stoop Show presented by UK Healthcare. It is
brought to you locally in Lexington by the sponsors Chick
fil A, Liquor Bar, Skyline, Jilli and by Toyota Hook.

Speaker 2 (02:19):
All season long.

Speaker 1 (02:20):
Catch the Wildcats sit in Lexington on your home for
Kentucky Football. The UK Sports Network.

Speaker 3 (02:29):
DQ presents how to get more for your morning. It
all starts with ordering the DQ four book Breakfast your
choice of three breakfast favorites with crispy hash Browns and
a drink for only four dollars. Enjoy our signature biscuit
and gravy Hot and Blaky Sausage biscuit sandwich or savory
Chicken and gravy burrito, each paired with a side of
hash Browns and a coffee or soda. For breakfast that's fast,

(02:51):
filling and just four bucks. Head to DQ DQ Happy
taste good At participating locations.

Speaker 4 (03:00):
There's an er that's built for you buil to make
your drivetime shorter when every second counts. Built to give
you and your neighbors a trusted place to go when
something is wrong in an emergency. The er at Baptist
Health Hamburg is here for you twenty four to seven
with convenient patient centered care. Learn more at Baptistealth dot com.

(03:20):
Slash built for Hamburg. Baptist Health Hamburg is an apartment
of Baptist Health Lexington.

Speaker 5 (03:28):
Keep your summer fund going at Toyota's national sales event
now through September second.

Speaker 6 (03:33):
Get a stylish new.

Speaker 5 (03:34):
Twenty five Corolla with four point nine nine APR financing
or five point ninety nine on Corolla Hybrid excludes Corolla
cross in gr Corolla or Lisa gaspowered Corolla Eli for
one ninety nine a month for thirty six months with
thirty six ninety nine. Do it signing with a group
credit through TFS, Tax, Title and License Extra.

Speaker 2 (03:52):
Call one eight at eight thirty.

Speaker 5 (03:53):
Six Toyota for details, or go to Toyota dot com.
Toyota Let's Go Places.

Speaker 7 (04:00):
Skyline order has always been the same. Three cheese conies,
no onion, no mustard. But the other day a friend
got me to try one with everything on it. It
was amazing. That little dash of mustard and the snap
of those diced onions just blew me away. I didn't
know what I was missing. From now on, when I
go to Skyline, it's three cheese cones all the way

(04:20):
with the side of chili cheese fries. How do you
like your Skyline Cony's feeling good? It's Skyline time.

Speaker 2 (04:39):
Welcome back into our show, as we welcome coach Mark
Stoops alongside. You have just come ball off the practice
field and you meet with your guys and go out
for a little light work on Monday. So how did
it go?

Speaker 8 (04:51):
Yeah, went really good. You know a lot of good
work on Mondays. There's a lot to do obviously.

Speaker 6 (04:59):
You know.

Speaker 8 (04:59):
First thing is is watching that film and you know,
going in with an open mindset. You know, the players
to you know, take the coaching and you know, get
some mistakes corrected, and uh, you know, the guys have
had a great attitude and you know, I think you know,
you watch that film and you have to you know,
really enjoy and look at the good things you did

(05:21):
and then the areas where you fell short and need
to improve, you know, just take the coaching and try
not to make the same mistakes twice. And you know,
got a lot of good work, a lot of good
film work. And then what a gorgeous day to go
out there on the practice field and get some work
done and really felt like we had a very productive monday.

Speaker 6 (05:40):
You know.

Speaker 8 (05:41):
Josh Brown, we were just calling him up and as
we were waiting for the defense to run over to
the to the front field, Josh even made the comment,
he was like, that's most productive Monday I think I've
ever had.

Speaker 6 (05:51):
And I said, well, that's a good thing because you've
been around for.

Speaker 8 (05:54):
A while, you know, so so yeah, good good, you know,
off to a good start, which we know we're going
to have to clean up some things.

Speaker 2 (06:02):
And we'll go there first. There's a lot of good
things that we will talk about. But uh, I think
the thing that people the talk biggest talking point is
the struggles in the passing game. And I know you
said today you felt better about it once you saw
the tape, So tell.

Speaker 8 (06:17):
Just you know, I mean, obviously you're not you're not
happy with with that aspect of the game. You know,
just in general, you know, we want to improve, but
there's some things that are definitely correctable.

Speaker 6 (06:28):
You know.

Speaker 8 (06:29):
I feel like, you know, the quarterback position, you know,
he needs some help. He needs some guys to step
up and make some plays. You know, I felt like
we took some shots down the field. We're close on
a lot of them. You know, we took five shots,
you know down the field and uh, you know we're
zero for three, but two of them, you know, we
took five, but two of them he got penalties, So

(06:51):
really you got fifteen yard games on those two and
they were critical penalties at those at that point in
time as well. But you know, I feel like Zach
definitely there's some areas where he needs to improve, and
he was off on some passes, and then there's others
where he really look good and put the ball in
a good place. And you know, we had one you know,

(07:11):
flat out drop that probably cost us points. You know,
you either you definitely get an in field goal range
at that point, we're right on the fringe at that
point where were oh fifty eight yards was the closest.
But on that drive where we had the one drop,
you know, that was a drop on second and long
and puts us in a position.

Speaker 6 (07:30):
To either.

Speaker 8 (07:33):
Kick the field goal or go for it on fourth
down if you don't convert third and two or three,
because the route that we dropped certainly would put him
at you know, say second and two.

Speaker 2 (07:43):
And what did you see on tape for the receivers,
because it's not always just a quarterback.

Speaker 8 (07:49):
Yeah, well, that's a drop I'm talking about right there.
And I'm not going to dwell on that too much
because we didn't have too many flat out drops.

Speaker 6 (07:55):
That was one.

Speaker 8 (07:56):
We had a couple of contested catches, the one, the
big one that's sticking. Well, two of them, you know, uh,
Kendrick Laws was a touchdown, you know, possibly and and
it hit I'm not saying it was.

Speaker 6 (08:07):
A touchdown, but it was close. It was really close.

Speaker 8 (08:09):
And then JJ's you know, both of them are big
momentum shifts right there. But you know, and then Hardly
had an opportunity in the end zone as well and
got interfered with and held on one.

Speaker 6 (08:19):
But that was a tough one, very tough one.

Speaker 8 (08:23):
But but you know, will improve and you know, you know,
Lord knows we have to and and we will.

Speaker 2 (08:29):
That was a very good secondary, you win against at
least one guys an NFL prospect, maybe two. What did
you see in terms of receivers getting separation on their routes?

Speaker 6 (08:39):
Well, there was there was some separation. Uh, there was.

Speaker 8 (08:41):
There was some passes that were off target a little bit,
and there were some where was a little bit just
a little bit of pressure affected to throw. And you know,
there's there's certainly things we you know, like I said,
there there's areas to improve and in all facets, throwing, protection, catching,
you know, uh, you know, being more creative to create

(09:02):
some space for them.

Speaker 2 (09:04):
There were several points of emphasis I think coming into
the season. One of them had to be third downs,
and you were above fifty percent. And I also looked
in third and three or less you converted four out
of five.

Speaker 8 (09:14):
Yeah, yeah, that was we were four out of four
in short yardage and you know that was a big
point of emphasis for us, along with third downs. Improved
in both of those areas. You know, red zone was
a point of emphasis. We're two out of two there,
you know, and obviously, you know, the big thing for
me was physically getting better. You know, if we if
we're you know, up to our standards, physically. We have

(09:37):
an opportunity in each and every game. It gives us
the best shot and we were certainly, you know, you know,
more physical at the light of scrimmage. When you look
at us rushing for two hundred and twenty yards and
then rushing for sixty, those are some critical moments right there.
We stopped them on fourth and short twice, fourth and
goal for I think it was two or three, and

(09:58):
then the fourth and a half yard we stopped the four.

Speaker 6 (10:01):
Was a huge planing game as well.

Speaker 2 (10:03):
More Coach Oops when we come back with your questions
a little later as well. It's the Marktoops Show presented
by UK Healthcare on the UK courtn.

Speaker 9 (10:12):
UK Athletics would like to thank our official cornerstone partners,
Central Bank, the official bank of UK Athletics Kentucky Farmed
YOUURO Insurance, Big On Commitment and UK Healthcare, official healthcare
partner of Big Blue Nations.

Speaker 1 (10:25):
STO Kentucky who pase take the.

Speaker 2 (10:29):
Learning track walk On in Kentucky goes of seventy two.

Speaker 9 (10:34):
Once again, thank you to our official cornerstone partners who
play a vital role in the success of the University
of Kentucky Athletics.

Speaker 2 (10:41):
Program.

Speaker 10 (10:42):
You need open heart surgery where it's no one wants
to hear, but when it becomes your reality, you deserve
care built on trust. At hazard a RH open heart
surgery is performed by doctor James Shoptalk, a cardiothoracic and
vascular surgeon with over twenty nine years of experience. With
skilled hands, strong faith and cougan results, Doctor Shopta and
his team are with you every step of the way.

(11:04):
Trust your heart to AARH and doctor Shopta a proud
member of the AARH Care Network ARH.

Speaker 11 (11:10):
More for Appalachia, Hey Wildcat Fans. Little Caesars, the home
of Hot and Ready Pizza, invites you to try our
world famous Crazy Bread with Crazy Sauce, Caesar Wins It,
Gallian Cheese bread, and our new cookie Old Browning dessert.
At Little Caesar's, we begin each day with dough made
fresh from scratch, fresh never frozen cheese, and the tasty

(11:32):
is topping. Little Caesars is also a proud partner of
UK Athletics and an enthusiastic member of Big Blue Nation.

Speaker 1 (11:39):
So Go Cat Pizza Pizza.

Speaker 12 (11:41):
Thinking about digging, planting a tree, putting up a fence,
hold that shovel before you break ground, head to Kentucky
eight one one dot org or.

Speaker 6 (11:49):
Call eight one one.

Speaker 12 (11:50):
It's quick, it's free, and yep, it's the law. Submit
your request online or call before you dig. Member utility
pros will mark where the underground lines are. Don't risk
the injury, service out, penalties, or costly repairs. Safety is
in your hands.

Speaker 13 (12:03):
Eight one one Before you Dig.

Speaker 8 (12:05):
Sponsored by the Kentucky Public Service Commission.

Speaker 14 (12:08):
Oh right, all right, it's a beautiful day for football
here at the stadium, and we're just about ready.

Speaker 13 (12:13):
For kickoff score zero zero, and suddenly I'm in the
mood for a Coke zero sugar Real Coke Taste zero sugar. No,
that's a winning combo. Yeah, Chris, refreshing that hits the
spot when it comes to great taste. Coke zero sugar
is always on the scoreboard. Coke zero Sugar Real Coke

(12:36):
Taste zero Sugar.

Speaker 15 (12:38):
Is your luck on a roll Kentucky. Play for a
chance to win one million dollars with all new scratch
offs from the Kentucky Lottery. Find your thrill with Mega Cash,
Bluegrass Blowout, and Lucky Fortune. These games are loaded with
cash prices that you do not want to miss. Make
your way to any ky Lottery retailer and play today.
For game details and more, download the official Kentucky Lottery

(13:00):
we have or visit Kylottery dot com. Please play responsibly, Kentucky.

Speaker 6 (13:04):
Remember it's just a game.

Speaker 2 (13:19):
Welcome back into the show and time for our Alumni
Hall question of the week, and it is what did
you think about the play of the offensive line? How
did that group great out?

Speaker 6 (13:29):
Yeah?

Speaker 8 (13:30):
They played much better, you know than than last year.
And as you know, it's been a big point of
emphasis for us. I said, it was the group that
you know, we needed to improve and I felt like
it showed up. You know, there's still you know, we
know that the competition this week is going to be
fierce and much more pressure, h you know on those

(13:52):
guys both in the run game and in the past
game multiple fronts this week. You know, some very disruptive
guys and some guys that love to rush off the
edge and present some problems. So you know, the the uh,
you know, it'll it'll increase as the year goes on here.
But those guys played well, you know, there was you know,

(14:12):
the the operation was very smooth. You know, we you know,
point of emphasis as well was penalties. We started with
one on the first play of the game, but that
was the only off and we overcame that and and
we also you know, it was a big you know,
talking point for me, you know, talking to the team. Yes,
we're going to be more disciplined, Yes we have to
do things right, but we're going to make penalties being
aggressive and that's what he did. He was really trying

(14:34):
to block and he held them and we but but
I also told him we have to overcome those things.
We're going to overcome the negatives that pop up in games.
And we did that. You know, first offensive play, we
get the penalty. That's the only offensive penalty we had
all day, you know. But the offensive line, you know,
we you know, we're working the cadence, you know, going
on to different things, and no pre staff penalties. The

(14:55):
operation was smooth. Those guys were physical. We didn't give
up a sack. We up some pressure, but we didn't
give up a sack, and we converted in some you know,
predictable run situations, which was improvement.

Speaker 2 (15:06):
I think we are only four tackles for loss against
you for a minus ten yards.

Speaker 8 (15:10):
Yeah, yeah, I mean it was a It was a
relatively clean day and you rush for two hundred and
twenty yards, as I mentioned.

Speaker 6 (15:16):
So that's a good good starting point for those.

Speaker 2 (15:19):
Guys, most that could find in terms of rushing yards
against an FBS opponent since Ray Davis went crazy against
the Gators two years ago. So that was two twenty
is a nice number.

Speaker 6 (15:31):
Yeah, yeah, it certainly is.

Speaker 8 (15:33):
And you know, now we got to get more efficient,
improve the passing game, like we talked about in the
opening segment, and we will.

Speaker 2 (15:40):
That was our Alumni Hall question of the week. Fans,
we'd like to know your answer to that question. Visit
at Alumni Hall UK on extra Respond with your answer
and you'll have a chance to win a gift card
courtesy of Alumni Hall. You mentioned the third down conversion
after that early penalty. I think it was a third
and seven of memory serves, Zach threw a beautiful ball

(16:00):
into Macklin over near the far sideline, and then later
on that drive through another great pass to Hester that
unfortunately was overturned. The catch was overturned on review. But
those were two of the kinds of throws you wanted
to see. Then you had possessions where you had an
interception off a blitz a safety and then after the

(16:22):
catch fumble. Did that get into Zach's head perhaps?

Speaker 8 (16:26):
I think so. I mean, you know, and you can't
fault Zach. I mean I think it affected all of us,
you know, and including the fans. You know, it just
kind of took the air out of all of us.
You know, we had three really horrible possessions in a row.
And you know, here's the good thing we were you know,
we played with the lead you know, all night. You know,

(16:46):
we felt like we had things in control. Yes, we
would like to play cleaner, you know, and I felt
like those possessions really, you know, took the air out
of us. And it takes plays away, it takes the rhythm,
it takes you know, a lot of things, and you
know that you know, those are things we most definitely
have to clean up though, but you know they've you know.

Speaker 6 (17:07):
Anyway, I mean, we've had.

Speaker 8 (17:09):
Problems with the Mac teams in the past, you know,
not being able to run the ball and you.

Speaker 6 (17:12):
Know, turning over and different things.

Speaker 8 (17:14):
So you know, I think those possessions really really, you know,
set us back. But again we were able to overcome those.

Speaker 2 (17:20):
We've talked a lot about how well you ran the ball.
Also only gave up fifty nine net rushing yards and
that's what we're used to seeing out of your defenses,
Brad White, the coordinator, those kinds of numbers, and I
thought the the defensive line and really the whole front
seven control things.

Speaker 6 (17:37):
They really did.

Speaker 8 (17:38):
You know, it just was a situation where, you know,
we really felt like, you know that that part of
it was in control.

Speaker 6 (17:45):
The entire night had a.

Speaker 8 (17:50):
If they were able to have the balance, then they
would have really put us in a bad situation. So
the fact that we were able to control the line
of scrimmage and you know basically you know, have their
run game, you know, non existent, was was super important.

Speaker 2 (18:03):
I know you said at your news conference today that
there were some young guys without a lot of game
reps that had a couple of breakdowns that led to
some big plays on their last couple of touchdown drives.

Speaker 8 (18:13):
Well, it is it's just it's just playing its experienced,
his vision, it's you know, just all those things, and
you know what we have to you know, take some
lumps and and we have to be able to win
in spite of you know, playing some young guys and
make some mistakes and continue to develop those guys and
they're going to make some growth.

Speaker 2 (18:31):
Alex Safari was was tremendous.

Speaker 6 (18:33):
Uh.

Speaker 2 (18:34):
Some young linebackers behind Alex and Rayner. How did they perform?

Speaker 8 (18:38):
Yeah, Rayner played played good, you know, and and uh,
you know he he uh is a good player that
that's getting better and uh, you know, I think those
two together will be really solid. Antoine made a few mistakes,
you know, but uh, but he's going to be really good,
and you know, just got to keep on getting them
in there. And and Grant as well. You know, Grant

(18:59):
uh is a good player along with Land and you know,
and just more reps. It's gonna help us in the
long run and keep all those guys fresh and get
him some experience.

Speaker 2 (19:06):
I was excited to get to watch Humphrey Grace and
unfortunately he get a issue, I guess with an ankle.
So hopefully he gets back this week.

Speaker 6 (19:15):
Yeah, I hope.

Speaker 8 (19:15):
So he's he's definitely a difference maker, and you know,
he should be be fine, but he's a little dinged up.

Speaker 2 (19:21):
Speaking of difference makers, number thirty five showed up on
tape for the other guys.

Speaker 8 (19:25):
Yeah, he sure did he. You know, he's a guy
that plays. Steven plays with a lot of passion, a
lot of energy. He's very quick off the edge. He
had two sack strip fumbles. You know, again it doesn't
get talked about, but it's kind of like you hope
the ball bounces your way sometimes. We had two of
those where in they're way backed up in their own
territory and we have great pressure and sacks and the

(19:48):
balls all.

Speaker 6 (19:48):
Over the ground and you know it bounce touchdown.

Speaker 8 (19:51):
Yeah, it could have been touchdown or at least take
possession right there and didn't go our way. But hopefully
those were even out.

Speaker 2 (19:57):
We're gonna get to a break come back. Get to
some of your questions. You can send them in at
UK Sports Network on x You can call us on
the Clark's Puppet Shop phone line inside Lexington. It's two
eight zero cats elsewhere one eight hundred and six oh
six four two sixty three here on the UK Sports Network.

Speaker 16 (20:12):
When you designed to sell your home, don't settle for
a good agent, go for a great one. Go for
a WIKERD agent. A WYCERD agent looks at you as
a partner, not a transaction and will work day and
night to get you the results you're looking for. And
your wikard agent is backed by the wicker brand. With
over fifty years of experience. Wikerd agents have guided thousands
of buyers and sellers through every facet of home ownership.

(20:35):
Don't settle for good, go for great work with a
Wikerd agent. Each Wikerd franchised office is independently owned and operated.

Speaker 5 (20:42):
Keep your summer fund going in a new Toyota Camera,
America's best selling car. It's all hybrid, all the time
with available all wheel drive.

Speaker 2 (20:50):
Now through September second.

Speaker 5 (20:52):
Get four point nine nine APR financing on any new
twenty five camera or Lisa New Camera Elite for just
two seventy nine a month for six months with thirty
six ninety nine Do it signing with the proof credit
through TFS, Tax, Title and License Extra called one eight
eight eight thirty six Toyoda Fruity Tims or go to
Toyota dot com Toyota Let's Go places.

Speaker 17 (21:12):
You know.

Speaker 18 (21:12):
There's some tall tales out there about UK credit Union,
like the one where you got to be a party
UK to join, or when people say it's a hassle
to become a member will bless their stinking hearts. Billy,
They're just plain wrong. Truth is UK Credit Unions for
all y'all en Joining is easy. In fact, you can
become a member in under three minutes, great rates, real benefits,

(21:35):
and you don't have to wear blue and white to
get them. It's UK Credit Union. We're not just for some,
We're for all y'all. Membership eligibility required federally insured by NCUA.

Speaker 19 (21:44):
We even going to the same Skyline for eleven or
twelve years now, whant to see that from o your
face at the drive through makes me feel good just
making that connection seeing them.

Speaker 2 (21:52):
Again, it's like going home.

Speaker 19 (21:55):
We always make sure that we eat as a family,
and on the busier days, sitting the Skyline drive was
perfect for that. It's always a good experience and everybody
in the house is happy. We eat Skyline once a
week for lunch or dinner.

Speaker 2 (22:07):
Yeah, sometimes it's two times a week.

Speaker 19 (22:10):
Skyline is definitely my family's favorite restaurant.

Speaker 2 (22:24):
Kentucky Old Miss Game is presented by Coca Cola, the
official fan refreshment of the Kentucky Wildcats. Let us go
to the Clark's Pumping Shop. Phone Line, Ryan will lead
us off. Ryan, what do you have.

Speaker 20 (22:37):
Coach? I just want to thank you for a big win.
And you know, like you say, every win is a
tough one and a lot of the so called experts
were picking us. You be upset. You know we've not upset. Alert,
so you proved all them wrong. I thought, with you know,
over a half a team of newcomers, I thought, mistake wise,
we played pre Dagon good. I mean a lot of

(22:59):
the names I do recognized. I had to look up
where it came from. Throughout the whole game. I'm trying
to figure out who's who, where they came from, where
they transferred from. And of course Afari, we all know
Afari and his he's stood. Yeah, Foles played a great game.
I guess one question I have. Can we expect to
see will cox man? I really love the way he

(23:19):
ran last year. I know he he's had a few issues,
but our other running backs look great, don't get me wrong,
But something about a guy who's been there a year
or two I really really enjoy watching Yep.

Speaker 8 (23:31):
Yeah, I hope so I hope to get Ja Mary
on back, but right now he's unfortunately out until for
for their notice. But you know, we'll see where that goes,
you know. But even Jason Patterson is a guy that
had a heck of a camp and has been around
for a while that's really looked, you know, he's been
healthy this year and really had a great camp, so

(23:51):
we'd like to get him in the mix as well.
But uh, you know, Dante and Seth, you know, both
we really had good games and they're big, powerful guy
so we're in good hands right now. But you could
always use talented running backs, and you know, in this league,
those guys are going to take a lot of hits
and get beat up, so we'd like to, you know,
keep the depth going.

Speaker 2 (24:10):
I think Dante's longest touchdown run until Saturday had been
thirteen yards. He has scored several touchdowns, but I think
the feeling was from what maybe fans thought of the
scouting report was Okay, he's the guy between the tackles,
the short yardage guy, and maybe Seth is the home
run hitter. Well, Dante hit quite a home run on Saturday,

(24:32):
going seventy nine yards, and Seth ran the ball tough.

Speaker 8 (24:35):
I thought, yeah, without a doubt, I've said it, you know,
through the offseason that I really feel like those guys
are both really complete backs, and I think you got
you saw that and Dante, you know when he broke away,
and you know, I felt like Seth was really close.
He got one up to the free safety and was
one on one and the free safety really made a
diving good tackle and Seth made a good move. I mean,

(24:58):
so you know, you put him in that spot enough
times and he's going to make that guy miss and
he's going to get an explosive run as well.

Speaker 6 (25:03):
I really also felt like.

Speaker 8 (25:04):
On the on the safety, you know, I think I
think Seth had a chance to go one on one
with the safety as well.

Speaker 2 (25:13):
I mean he he oh yeah, if he.

Speaker 8 (25:14):
Has, he has a chance to have. I'm not saying
he would have. I mean, but it's one on one
with a safety.

Speaker 2 (25:20):
Yeah, I mean all he's got to do is take
the ball and kind of you're right and he just love.

Speaker 8 (25:24):
That's it back like he did on the fake and
he's really up to We had a hat on a
hat on everybody but one, you know, with the middle
third safety.

Speaker 2 (25:32):
Uh. Brian appreciate the call. Let's go to Madison on
the Clark's Pumping Shop phone line, Madison. How you doing?

Speaker 17 (25:38):
I'm doing time, Tom? How are you doing? How's it
going Mark?

Speaker 6 (25:42):
I'm doing good? Madison? How about yourself?

Speaker 21 (25:44):
Both?

Speaker 17 (25:45):
Ben is supposed to be seventy six degrees when y'all
play football on Saturday.

Speaker 6 (25:49):
Beautiful?

Speaker 17 (25:50):
Beautiful, yeah, beautiful. I have two things. One, how do
you compare this whole Missed team from the Jackson Dark
team last year? And then two, you have what's it
going to take us to limit turnovers against them? Because
I know they they like to get grab the ball

(26:12):
a lot. What's it going to take to limit the turnovers?

Speaker 6 (26:15):
Yeah?

Speaker 8 (26:15):
I think this team is very similar. They're they're very good,
you know, typical Old miss team. They play extremely fast.
They have explosive players, you know, all over the place.
They have a running back that's very physical with top
end speed.

Speaker 2 (26:32):
Uh.

Speaker 8 (26:32):
They're receivers, they have for transfer portal receivers that are
difference makers. You know, their quarterback is playing at a
very high level, and they have very talented tight ends,
you know, in the old line. So you put all
that together, and of course Pete Golding on the defensive
side of the ball, he's you know, he's very very
sound and very tough.

Speaker 6 (26:52):
In what he does. So it's a it's a very
good football.

Speaker 8 (26:54):
Team and uh, you know it'll take our best effort
and we just got to worry about ourselves and go
play the way we're capable of.

Speaker 6 (27:02):
And we do have to limit turnovers.

Speaker 8 (27:04):
It's a great point, Madison, And you know that was
frustrating this past week. The interceptions are going to happen
off tipped balls and things of that nature, but the
fumbles and putting the ball on the ground really, you know,
pisses us off and you know it's not not good
and we just got to get it cleaned up.

Speaker 6 (27:24):
And we will.

Speaker 8 (27:24):
I mean Willie Rodriguez is an extremely conscientious young man,
plays extremely hard, you know, still just a second year
player and his learning and he'll learn from that mistake
and you know he has to.

Speaker 2 (27:38):
All right, Yeah, I think I lost the signal for
a second, Madison, Thank you for the call. Got questions
here on the feet on exit UK Sports Network from
Lee wants you to throw to the tight ends and
the running backs more. He said it was open, the
drop offs were open a lot of the time on Saturday.
What did you see because you did get more catches

(27:59):
for the tight ends.

Speaker 8 (27:59):
Yeah, we had some good targets for the tight ends
this week. You know, like you said postgame, you know,
Mama d My mom would be happy. You know, she's
looking down on me. You know, she always asked me
the same things. Why you know, throwing the ball at
the tight ends. I think that was her favorite, you know.
But no, we did get some targets to the tight ends,
got some plays. You know, had the explosive on the

(28:20):
turnover that we were just talking about, and you know
Cat has had an opportunity to create another one. But uh,
you know, I do think that there's room for that.
I think that's you know, fair, especially to the running backs.
And Zach's done a good job again, you know, it's
it's not an excuse, just the truth we got. We've
got to be better. We've got to you know, sustain
some drives and get more plays and operate and you'll
see more touches by a lot of those guys.

Speaker 2 (28:42):
I had to find a rhythm Zach and as well
as as Bush calling plays.

Speaker 8 (28:46):
Yeah, without a doubt. I mean just you know, some
of those things that that killed drives. I mean just
you know, just inexcusable, Like you know, we just mentioned it.
We went three and out with the tipped interception, we
went you know, the safety and the dang fumbles. So
that's three positions in a row right right in the
second quarter. And up to that point we had moved
the ball pretty good.

Speaker 2 (29:05):
Let me ask you about the kicking gate. I thought
that was a strong suit for the most part. Yeah,
a lot of gain in the hitting yards thanks to
what la Ross did with the punting.

Speaker 8 (29:16):
Absolutely La Ross is and a kick after the safety, yeah, Aiden,
you know, the kick kickoffs he had are strong. The
kick the play after the safety was huge. We got
him inside the twenty five, so if we're a normal down,
you know, spot and kick it out of the end zone.
You know, that's on the twenty five. So we actually
gained two yards there, which was impressive after the safety.
But the punting was, you know, extremely important to us.

Speaker 6 (29:39):
He's a he's a.

Speaker 8 (29:40):
Very very good player, and you know, and you know,
I thought we were we were solid all the way around.
And you know with Cowway, you know, he hit the
one field goal he had and in the extra point
and we're just bringing him along.

Speaker 2 (29:54):
He has range. As I said on Saturday, he told
me his he thinks his range is sixty eight. I
don't know if you go that far, but maybe with
one second left and a half or at a game.
But he obviously does have a big leg. There were
times where, given that you could have tried a field goal.

Speaker 8 (30:13):
I could have, but that would have been stupid. You know,
at that point in the game, we have been playing
really good. I mean when I say he has range,
it's like when they ask you, like if the commentators
asking me on TV, you know before the game, what
what is your spot you know, comfortable with When you
say that, you're saying with the game on the line right.

Speaker 2 (30:32):
Where what you said about there versus going for yeah fourth.

Speaker 8 (30:35):
That that doesn't mean that that that you're going to
do that, you know what I mean? Like, I'm not
going to let the kid kick his first field goal
of fifty eight yards or fifty seven yards and the
way we are playing defense, why give him that field position?
We punted it and pinned him on the seven and
the next one would have been sixty plus. I mean,
that's just that's just stupid.

Speaker 2 (30:53):
I think their average field position, because of the punny
game kickouts everything, I think it was inside the twenty
five or their average starting point for drives.

Speaker 8 (31:01):
Well, and that was that was important for us the
way we were playing, you know exactly, and you know,
and so you know, field position was super important. Like
I said, I mean, you know, I think what was
more aggravating to me was we got the ball to
the thirty nine yard line and we threw three incomplete passes. Now,
we took a shot on first down. Nobody's going to

(31:22):
blame anybody from taking a shot, right, and we tried
to throw in the end zone. You know, we were
close on that, really were you know, we were close
connecting on that one second down bothers you because we
just ran a high percentage you know, uh you know,
you know, quick game, and we dropped the pass. Yeah,
and then now you're at third and ten, and that

(31:45):
that's just the aggravating that that bothers me.

Speaker 6 (31:48):
You know.

Speaker 8 (31:48):
So in hindsight, you got the ball thirty nine yard lines,
run the ball, get three, you know, you get to
field three four yards, you know, or you go forward
on fourth, you kick a long field goal, go four
on fourth and short?

Speaker 6 (32:01):
You know. So but what are we going to do?
Never take any shots?

Speaker 8 (32:04):
I mean, we have to improve on that we got
to get better and you know so, I'm not happy
with that possession, but I.

Speaker 6 (32:10):
Certainly don't quit a second.

Speaker 8 (32:11):
Guest myself about kicking a kicking a fifty seven yard
field goal.

Speaker 2 (32:15):
Quick break and we'll be right back on the Mark
Stoop Show, presented by UK Healthcare. Here are the UK
Sports Network, Hey BBN.

Speaker 8 (32:22):
Stay connected to the Cats with the Big Blue Brew,
the official newsletter of UK Athletics.

Speaker 6 (32:27):
It's free, it's daily, and it's all things Kentucky Kentucky.

Speaker 8 (32:32):
Sign up now at UK Athletics dot com. Backslash Big
Blue Brew is your luck.

Speaker 15 (32:38):
On a roll, Kentucky. Play for a chance to win
one million dollars with all new scratch offs from the
Kentucky Lottery. Find your thrill with Mega Cash, Bluegrass Blowout
and Lucky Fortune. These games are loaded with cash prices
that you do not want to miss. Make your way
to any Ky Lottery retailer and play today. For game
details and more, download the official Kentucky Lottery app or

(33:00):
is it Kylottery dot com. Please play responsibly, Kentucky. Remember
it's just a game.

Speaker 10 (33:06):
You need open heart surgery words no one wants to hear,
but when it becomes your reality. You deserve care built
on trust. At hazard RH, open heart surgery is performed
by doctor James Schoptak, a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon with
over twenty nine years of experience. With skilled hands, strong face,
and proven results, Doctor Schoptah and his team are with

(33:27):
you every step of the way. Trust your heart to
ARH and Doctor Shopta, a proud member of the AARH
Care Network. AARH more for Appalachia.

Speaker 22 (33:37):
At Kroger, you never compromise. You get high quality and
low prices. Like you never compromise your meal with our
spring salad mix, guaranteed fresh, and you never compromise your
budget with lower prices on over one thousand items. And
you'd never compromise your appetite with our golden brown bread
that's made fresh in store. And you never compromise your

(33:57):
wallet with our lower prices handed to Kroger shoppers. You
never compromise Kroger Fresh for everyone.

Speaker 11 (34:06):
Hey, Wildcat fans, Little Caesars, the home of Hot and
Ready Pizza, invites you to try our world famous Crazy
Bread with Crazy Sauce, Caesar Wings, Italian Cheese Bread, and
our new cookie Old browning dessert. At Little Caesar's, we
begin each day with dough made fresh from scratch, fresh
never frozen cheese and the tasty is topping. Little Caesar's

(34:29):
is also a proud partner of UK Athletics and an
enthusiastic member of Big Blue Nation.

Speaker 7 (34:34):
So go Cat Pizza Pizza.

Speaker 12 (34:36):
Thinking about digging, planting a tree, putting up a fence,
hold that shovel before you break ground, head to Kentucky
eight one one dot org or call eight one one.
It's quick, it's free, and yep, it's the law. Submit
your request online or call before you dig. Member utility
pros will mark where the underground lines are. Don't risk
the injury, service outages, penalties or costly repairs. Safety is

(34:57):
in your hands.

Speaker 16 (34:58):
Eight one one Before.

Speaker 8 (34:59):
You di Big Sponsored by the Kentucky Public Service Commission.
Unlock exclusive coverage of UK Athletics with UKSN all Access
from behind the scenes content the game day coverage.

Speaker 6 (35:11):
It's all in one place.

Speaker 8 (35:12):
Find it on the UK Athletics app or UKSN all
access dot com.

Speaker 2 (35:29):
We are back with Coach Mark Stoops. We're taking your
questions for the coach on the Clark's Pumping shop phone
line and Brolin is next up? Go ahead? What's your
what's your question for? Coach? Stops question?

Speaker 20 (35:44):
How do you plan you do the receivers?

Speaker 2 (35:48):
Prolin? Well, you were breaking up on us. Try that again.

Speaker 20 (35:54):
Two questions for I got two questions free coachus?

Speaker 2 (35:57):
How do you plan Saturday utilize?

Speaker 20 (36:00):
What are our receivers?

Speaker 8 (36:04):
Okay, yeah, I mean the same way we did this
past week. I'd just like to see him get a
few more touches, like we all would, you know, And
and they had, you know, some opportunities you know this
past Saturday, as I mentioned, you know, we you know,
have to convert on some plays down the field, you know,
and and you know, jump start our offense and get
some chunk plays because it's gonna be tough to grind

(36:26):
it out against you know, the great defenses that we're
gonna play, So we have to create some explosives and
our receivers are going to have to make some tough
competitive catches and uh, you know, so we got to
give those guys more opportunities here this week.

Speaker 2 (36:40):
What's your other question? Wrong?

Speaker 20 (36:41):
My say, my second question is how motivated are you
to be ole miss Saturday?

Speaker 8 (36:46):
Pretty pretty pretty much ready to go, buddy. You know
I was about the same way I was last year.

Speaker 2 (36:53):
And the same way you'll be the next ten.

Speaker 8 (36:55):
Games after the same way I'll be each and every Saturday.

Speaker 2 (36:59):
Speaking of the rep last four games twenty seventeen through
last season when you upset them as an over six
team in the country, total margin of victory in those
four games ten points. What's happening the last four matchups
with Old Miss? Total margin of victory ten points? That
reason A one is that? Right?

Speaker 8 (37:15):
Well, I know they're all close, and we had some
Oh boy, you know, you always remember the tough ones.
You know, we remember resetting our feet, we throw a touchdown, pass,
get called back, all that stuff. But you know, but uh,
I also remember the fun ones.

Speaker 23 (37:30):
You know.

Speaker 6 (37:30):
Last year was fun one too.

Speaker 2 (37:31):
Oh yeah, yeah, biggest road upset since back in the
seventies to be the top ten team away from home.
You talked a little bit about Old Miss. They opened
up with a big win over Georgia State. What were
some of the things that jumped off of the tape
at you when you watch the Rebels?

Speaker 6 (37:50):
You know, I think.

Speaker 8 (37:52):
Extremely fast, you know, just a typical team by by
laying and you know, very explosive. They played at a
very high tempo. Super impressed you know with their with
their quarterback. You know, you watch them. You know a
year ago he comes in just you know against Georgia
for one possession, leads him right down to a touchdown,

(38:13):
you know, and really looked efficient in the first game.
But you know, you know, very explosive running backs, experienced
offensive line, so you name it.

Speaker 6 (38:21):
They're good.

Speaker 8 (38:22):
You know, Pete you know, on the on the defensive
side of the ball is extremely sound. You know, comes
from the Nick Saban, you know, Alabama Tree, you know,
so you know, he knows what he's doing defensively, and
you know, so very good football team.

Speaker 2 (38:37):
Uh. From Micah at UK Sports Network, he notes Zach
had a lot of success throwing the ball at incarnate
word his last stop. Could you can you cater play
calling to compliment what he's best at. I'm assuming he
and Bush talked about the kinds of balls and routes.

Speaker 8 (38:53):
He without a doubt. And you know, it's just different leagues,
you know what I mean. And and Zach is a
very good player. We you know, as I mentioned many times,
it takes everybody, you know, to be on the same
page to be effective. And you know, I have a
lot of confidence in Zach, and you know there are
some things he could do better on Saturday, and there's
things we all can do better and set them up better,

(39:15):
and you know, catch the ball and set up the
plays better and all that stuff.

Speaker 2 (39:20):
This is the Mark Stoops Show. It's presented by UK Healthcare.
Will remind you that some tickets are still available. You
can go to UK Athletics dot com and get those
so you can come out where the sec opener should
be great whether again. Three thirty Eastern time is when
it starts. Pregame coverage will start at one thirty on
our UK Sports Network stations. The game will be televised
on ABT ABC. For complete coverage of the Cats. Like

(39:43):
UK Sports Network on Facebook, follow us on Instagram. It's
at UK Underscore Sports Network and on x It's at
UK Sports Network where you can send in your questions
and we'll get to more of those when we return.
This is the UK Sports Network.

Speaker 3 (39:55):
DQ presents how to get more for your mornings. It
all starts with ordering the DQ four book Breakfast, your
choice of three breakfast favorites with Crispy hash Browns and
a drink for only four dollars. Enjoy our signature biscuit
and gravy hot and blakey sausage biscuit sandwich or savory
chicken and gravy burrito, each paired with a side of
hash Browns and a coffee or soda for breakfast. That's

(40:17):
fast feeling and just four bucks. Head to dq DQ
Happy Taste, Good participating locations.

Speaker 18 (40:25):
You know there's some tall tales out there about UK
Credit Union, like the one where you got to be
a party UK to join, or when people say it's
a hassle to become a member, will bless their stinking hearts, Billy,
they're just plain wrong. Truth is UK Credit Unions for
all y'all Enjoining is easy. In fact, you can become
a member in under three minutes, great rates, real benefits,

(40:48):
and you don't have to wear blue and white to
get them. It's UK Credit Union. We're not just for some,
We're for all y'all. Membership eligibility required federally insured by NCUA.

Speaker 5 (40:57):
Keep your seller fund going in a new Toyota four,
America's best selling suv now through September second Get four
point nine nine APR Financing on a new twenty five
to four or five point ninety nine on Rad four Hybrid,
exclude plugins or release a gas powered Rad four l
E for three zho nine a month for thirty six
months with thirty six ninety nine. Do it's signing with

(41:18):
a proof credit for TFS tax title a license extra called.

Speaker 2 (41:21):
One day Day Day thirty six.

Speaker 5 (41:23):
Toyota for details or go to Toyota dot com Toyota
Let's go places.

Speaker 24 (41:29):
What's the best thing about a Skyline three way? Gotta
be that secret recipe chilli right. I mean, there's nothing
else on the planet that has that skyline taste.

Speaker 6 (41:38):
But it's not a three way without those noodles.

Speaker 14 (41:40):
And then there's the cheese man, that.

Speaker 24 (41:43):
Super fresh shreddit cheddar cheese. You can only get a Skyline.

Speaker 2 (41:46):
What am I thanking?

Speaker 24 (41:48):
It takes all free to make a Skyline three way.
I'm gonna make my way to Skyline right now for
the one and only Skyline three way. Feel it good?

Speaker 6 (41:55):
It's Skyline time.

Speaker 2 (41:58):
Wowcome back to the Mark Stoop Show on the UK
presented by UK Healthcare. Here on the network, we are
talking about Kentucky's went over Toledo and the matchup coming
up with the old miss Rebels with the defensive side

(42:21):
of the ball, who spends so much on the offensive side.
You did have some new guys Gusta on the nose,
I'm assuming, and then rotating in there with Josiah. It
seemed like you got really good push into the quarterback's
face in the middle of the defensive pass roun.

Speaker 6 (42:35):
Yeah, we did.

Speaker 8 (42:36):
I thought the guys on the edge did a good job,
and you know, and we helped contain him, you know,
and keep him in the pocket and keep him uncomfortable.
I mean, as I mentioned, you know, you look at
PET and I have a lot of and I say
that because I have a lot of respect for Pet
and the way they played defense and they pressure the
heck out of you. And just going back to their

(42:56):
last game, they were quite impressive in that bowl game,
both the Reszil and see that they showed just like
they did against us. They came back against them, and
they came back against us to some extent. And the
quarterback just is, you know, he's amazing sometimes the way
he throws with pressure right in his face and can
deliver the football and then he can also you know,

(43:16):
evade you know, that pressure and buy some time and
get it out and get it down the field. He
did that just once against us, and fortunately there was
a hold and it came back. But we had him
bottled up, we had good coverage. He bought some time,
broke the pocket, threw it for a twenty twenty five
yard game. It came back with a hold. But that's
the type of stuff he does all the time. So
you know, I thought it was very impressive that we

(43:38):
contained him as long as we did, and you know,
gave ourselves a chance to get a fast start and
you know, got to pick early and had quite a
few three and ounce. We had the fourth down stop early.
We had two more throughout the game. So those are
like turnovers.

Speaker 2 (43:53):
Yeah, that's a stat I would like to see change
when they talk about third down conversions. Yeah, if they
and this would be more for your offense. If you
convert on fourth down, then you ought to get you
shouldn't get penalized in your third down conversion stats because
you did ultimately convert it. So they ought to make
it effective third down conversions.

Speaker 8 (44:11):
Yeah, I mean sometimes I mean, you know, just like
another bad beat for US. I remember, you know, a
tough third down conversion against Clemson. You know that they
didn't convert the third down, but it's set them up
for fourth, you know.

Speaker 2 (44:22):
And so yeah, from go Kats at UK Sports Network
ask about sending Kendrick Law in motion a lot, he said,
didn't see him utilized a lot out of that motion.

Speaker 8 (44:32):
Yeah, but part of that's the no I agree though,
I mean that's fair, you know what I mean, that's fair.
Kendrick is a really good player and and that's it's
good point. I mean, you know, and we're aware of that.
He's definitely a playmaker for us, and you know, trying
to get him the ball.

Speaker 2 (44:45):
Some you have foot I think it was nine guys
listed on the on the depth chart, so you still
have even more guys if you didn't utilize on Saturday.
The young freshman how they performed, the two Billers and Quizenberry.

Speaker 8 (44:57):
Yeah, I mean they've been you know, good play. I
mean they're they're freshmen, but they they're they're good players
and and they're getting better, and you know, we got
to continue to bring them along. And you know, again
it goes back to that point, Tom, if we get
more plays, more possessions, you know what I mean, getting
more reps than than guys like that will get some
you know, some some playing time.

Speaker 2 (45:17):
Question from Jordan about the defense on the Clark's pumping
shot phone line, Go ahead, Jordan.

Speaker 21 (45:23):
Hey coach, Hey you doing good?

Speaker 6 (45:25):
How are you?

Speaker 21 (45:27):
I am good?

Speaker 9 (45:28):
Uh?

Speaker 21 (45:28):
One thing I wanted to or I'd noticed live watching
the game there in the stadium, was it felt like
our past defense. I guess if you could say a
weak point was middle of the was middle of the defense,
Like even on the pig if you go back and watch,
I'm sure you have. They had a receiver running wide
open down the middle of the field, and it seems

(45:50):
like all their big plays, uh in the past game
came between the hashes and even their touchdown pass there
late in the fourth quarter was between the hashes. Is
that something that was schematic as far as what they
did offensively that that was just there on the defense
or is that something that you've seen on film? Because

(46:11):
Lane Kiffen coming into town, you know, it does worry
me that he may see that and try to exploit it.

Speaker 8 (46:17):
Yeah, yeah, I think again, fair assessment. You know, certainly
on the touchdown, you know that was a tough play
on us because we needed to make them work and
chew up some time right there. Matter of fact, Coach
White and I were just talking, you know, during the
time out before that touchdown pass that we needed to
make them work and chew up some clock. And we
certainly didn't want to give up that right there, they said,

(46:38):
you know, they they you know, we need to play
that better. We were in a quarters concept right there,
and you know, and so he there was a double
move right there. He faked to the corner and came
back across our safety's face and crossed his face and
scored the touchdown. So we just got to, you know,
technique wise, play that better. And uh, you know, the

(46:59):
the other one you're probably talking about that set up
one of their touchdowns on first it was a possession
in ten. It was a play action and they hit
three up over Alex Safari, you know, over the middle
for about twenty two yard game is one that you're
probably talking about between the hashes as well. And you know,
again we play that well. That was a good throw
and catch, and you know, I think if you look

(47:20):
at a lot of people, including Lane in their offense,
as you talked about right there, do hit it between
the hashes. You know, most quarterbacks are very comfortable throwing
the ball in between the hashes.

Speaker 2 (47:33):
Thank you, George.

Speaker 8 (47:33):
But I do think overall, again, you know, I not
disagreeing with him, but I think overall, I was quite
impressed with the way, you know, we handled their passing game.
You know, for the majority of the night, I didn't
like the way we finished, much like the caller didn't, you.

Speaker 2 (47:48):
Know, thank you Jordan for the call. Lee asks at
UK Sports Network about playing more younger offensive linemen to
get more depth, and I know you feel like you've
got more than five.

Speaker 6 (48:01):
We try, you know what I mean, we really do.
It gets hard, you know.

Speaker 8 (48:04):
Unfortunately that's where you know, as a team, you know,
we have to you know, finish that off better. You know,
we get up fifteen, you got to get a stop
and then you know, play some other guys and defensively,
you get up fifteen, we play some other guys and
we give up a big play, you know what I mean,
next thing, you know, they drive it down and you
give We're trying to win, but we're still trying to

(48:25):
develop people and there's a balance there. And again I
don't argue with that. I love playing more guys and
developing them as we go. Now we have to do
better as a team and have better separation.

Speaker 2 (48:37):
But I think in general, you have more guys than
maybe you've had a little while that you do trust,
trust that can develop.

Speaker 8 (48:44):
Yeah, so we definitely do, you know, we we do.
And you know, you know, I think again that's fair
and something I think about and we think about and
want to get them better. And you know, if we
get that depth going, then you know, that don't help
us all in the long run, it'll help us in
the years to come, and it'll help us you know
later in the season.

Speaker 6 (49:06):
Even in practice, we do that.

Speaker 8 (49:07):
Well, we'll throw in somebody and rotate the offensive line
as if somebody in a game got injured and you've
got to continue this drive with a new guard or
a new center or move you know what I mean,
a new tackle, you name it. And so we do
that and we try to prepare for it. But you know,
we get into those games and they're a little closer
than we want. We're trying to hold on to it.

Speaker 2 (49:29):
How did the Jagon tail? How did Jagger performance? Center?

Speaker 8 (49:32):
Jagger was very good, you know, played very good, and
remember is very proud of well you're not talking about it,
so let's not talk about it ocause that's a good
thing now, Jagger. You know, I'm not worried about, you know,
the snapping. But he played very well and I'm happy
for him because he cares. He works hard, and let

(49:55):
him go do his thing, you know what I mean,
Just let him go play.

Speaker 2 (49:59):
We he will remind you that. Coming up after our
show bb AND Radio presented by Clark's Pumpin' Shop is
on deck. It's a one hour insider's look at UK
Athletics with Darren Hendrick and he'll be joined tonight by
Ricky Lumpkin from our UK Sports Overwork pregame show and
a Scotti report on the Ole Miss Rebels from the
voice of the Rebels David Kellup. It's all coming up
on Clark's Pumpin' Shop BBN Radio, which is next after

(50:22):
our show, the Mark Stoops Show presented by UK Healthcare
here on the UK Sports Network.

Speaker 14 (50:28):
Oh right, all right, it's a beautiful day for football
here at the stadium and we're just about ready for
kickoff score zero zero.

Speaker 13 (50:35):
And suddenly I'm in the mood for a coke zero
sugar real coke Taste zero sugar. Now that's a winning combo. Yeah,
Chris refreshing that hits the spot. When it comes to
great taste. Coke zero sugar is always on the scoreboard.
Coke zero sugar, real coke Taste zero sugar.

Speaker 7 (50:59):
My Skyline order it has always been the same. Three
cheese conies, no onion, no mustard. But the other day
a friend got me to try one with everything on it.
It was amazing. That little dash of mustard and the
snap of those diced onions just blew me away. I
didn't know what I was missing. From now on, when
I go to Skyline, it's three cheese conies all the way,

(51:20):
with the side of chili cheese fries. How do you
like your Skyline Cony's feeling good? It's Skyline time.

Speaker 25 (51:27):
In the SEC, it just means more. But what is
it exactly? It's the fans, the students, the traditions, the legends.
It's passion to celebrate deeper, reach farther, think smarter, make
an impact off the field. It's that intelligible thing that
happens when sixteen schools raised the bars one Because in

(51:51):
the SEC it just means more.

Speaker 18 (51:57):
You know, there's some tall tails out there about you
credit union like the one where you got to be
a party UK to join, or when people say it's
a hassle to become a member, will bless their stinking hearts, Billy,
they're just plain wrong. Truth is UK credit Unions for
all y'all Enjoining is easy. In fact, you can become
a member in under three minutes, great rates, real benefits,

(52:19):
and you don't have to wear blue and white to
get them. It's UK credit Union. We're not just for some,
We're for all y'all. Membership eligability required federally insured by NCUA.

Speaker 22 (52:29):
At Kroger, you never compromise. You get high quality and
low prices, Like you never compromise your meal with our
spring salad mix, guaranteed fresh, and you never compromise your
budget with lower prices on over one thousand items. And
you'd never compromise your appetite with our golden brown bread
that's made fresh in store, and you never compromise your

(52:50):
wallet with our lower prices handed to Kroger shoppers. You
never compromise Kroger Fresh for everyone.

Speaker 23 (52:59):
Flight by Yingling It is the next generation of light beer.

Speaker 10 (53:03):
For those who don't.

Speaker 23 (53:04):
Follow trends, but craft them. Flight by Yingling is twelve
ounces of uncompromised refreshment from America's oldest brewery with only
two point six grams of carbs and ninety five calories.
This is premium refreshment six generations in the making.

Speaker 10 (53:19):
They'll just raise the glass, raise the bar.

Speaker 23 (53:22):
Flight by Yingling available wherever beer is sold DJ Yngling
and is unincorporated Potswell, Pennsylvania. Please enjoy responsibly.

Speaker 2 (53:40):
Final segment of our show. If you have a question,
you can send it in on X at UK Sports
Network or call on the Clark's Pumping Shop phone line
and just outside Gate four at Kroger Field on Saturday
you can join us for our Jack Burford Chevrolet countdown
to kickoff coverage of the Cats and the Oldest Rebels.
Cover starts at one thirty this Saturday, and then we'll
have the call from in the booth at Krogerfield for

(54:03):
Kentucky and Ole Miss the sec opener for both teams
all right here on these UK Sports Network stations. The
crowd I thought was really good on Saturday, in particular
the students for a holiday.

Speaker 6 (54:15):
Weekend without a doubt.

Speaker 8 (54:16):
I you know, I mentioned it today in my press conference.
I meant to mention it post game because I thought
it was great and it was fun environment, great environment.
You know, the students were out, you know, on a
holiday weekend, which was fun. And I just wish we'd
have played a little cleaner in that second quarter because
I felt like the energy was really high, and especially

(54:38):
when we thought JJ was inbounds on that long one
and you know, converted that the third down and then
hit that and kind of had some juice going. And
you know, we're moving the ball well in the in
the first quarter and then you know, hit our little
our stall there with those possessions that we already hit on.
But energy was very good. I just, you know, wish
we'd play a little better and keep that energy in

(54:58):
the stadium, you know. And and it's the same with
our sidelines, you know, and we you know, I talked
to them about it, you know, for the week leading
up to it to you know, that's the first time
we could scrimmage and we do all those things, and
you know, but with the TV timeouts at halftime and
all that, you've got to keep the energy up for
three hours and forty five minutes and you know, we
did finish the game, and that's the great thing, but

(55:22):
we have to play a little clean air throughout that.

Speaker 2 (55:25):
And between transfers and freshmen, you had more than four
dozen do comers. And no matter how much you practice
and it's time you spend together, you don't know what
they're going to do between the white lines until it happens.

Speaker 8 (55:37):
That's right, and that's why you know every coach will
tell you it's not always, but every coach will tell
you try to make the biggest jump between game one
and game two. And why is that? Say what you want?
There's a lot of anxiety. There are a lot of builds. Sure,
you know, you're just waiting to play week one, and

(55:57):
sometimes you try too hard, you press too much, you know,
you play with dirty eyes, you name it, and you
just kind of okay, you get that game under your belt,
you settle in and just try to play and execute better.
And that's what we're going to try to do.

Speaker 2 (56:10):
And you know, nobody's going at this as much as
they might try, it's still not the same as a
game day. So you get a true look at things
on tape that you can then coach from for the
next week.

Speaker 8 (56:21):
Oh, without a doubt. And the other thing, you know
that that I've said for a while now is like,
you know, we might be one of the only sports
that we don't get to play any other people except
our own, you know, all spring, all summer, all through camp.
I mean, it's exhausting playing your own people over and
over again. Just you know, you'd like to have some

(56:42):
practice opportunities with some other teams. And you know, we
don't have any practice games or any of that, so
you know, it's just you know, just seeing the way
people present something is different than you.

Speaker 6 (56:53):
You know what I mean, than your own offense.

Speaker 2 (56:55):
It would be a risk of injury. But would you
like to see something like the NFL has exhibition games.
I would.

Speaker 8 (57:00):
I'd just like to give us the opportunity, just even
if it's just the I'm not trying to make money
off it, because a minute you say that and you
scrimmage somebody. Everybody's gonna try to make money off it
and charge and all that. I'd like to just practice
against some other people. You know, I have a great
relationship with Walt. I'm sure, well, you know you can
get together and just practice with k you and and
you know, and even if it's one on one's half line,
you know, seven on seven. Just things of that nature,

(57:22):
you know, you know, I think it would help a lot.

Speaker 2 (57:24):
Of Nothing like a college football Saturday and you have
another one this week.

Speaker 6 (57:27):
Good luck, Yeah, thank you very much so.

Speaker 2 (57:29):
Our game Saturday between Kentucky and Old Missus is presented
by Coca Cola, the official fan refreshment of the Kentucky Wildcats.
This is the UK Sports Network.

Speaker 1 (57:38):
This Sentsmen Now Mark Stoop Show presented by UK Healthcare
moda UK Sports No Mark Stoop Show was brought to
you by program Little Caesars, UK Healthcare and Buy Coca.

Speaker 2 (57:55):
Cola Stuts Grows over the minute, Touch.

Speaker 1 (57:59):
Marks You Tube Show presented by UK Healthcare. Is a
presentation of the UK Sports Network powered by JMI Sports.