Week 1 has arrived for the Kentucky Wildcats, who are getting set to host the Toledo Rockets out of the MAC.
Ahead of the game, head coach Mark Stoops held his season-opening press conference on Monday to preview the upcoming campaign for his Cats.
Here is a transcript and replay of Stoops’ presser via UK Athletics.
Opening Statement…
“Very excited to get going. As you know, this time of year I think you all are ready to see a game. You’re tired of hearing me talk, and I’m tired of talking, quite honestly.
I’m excited to get going. I’m glad we have a very good opponent coming in here in Toledo. (Head Coach) Jason Candle has been extremely consistent. He and his staff have been there together for a long time. They are definitely a worthy opponent. Last year, with two ‘power four’ victories, beating a tough Mississippi State team. I know how hard it is to go into that environment and win, and they obviously played extremely well. And then, beating Pitt in the bowl game, and you could see how resilient they are, six overtime win against Pitt, quite impressive.
“Playing them in 2019, that was a year, early in the season in particular, with Terry Wilson healthy, I thought we had a chance to have one of our best teams that we’ve had in a long time prior to getting some quarterbacks hurt that year. (We) Still finished strong and had a bowl victory. I think we were really hitting on all cylinders early and this game was very difficult. We were down 14 to 7, ended up going into halftime tied 14 to 14, got a big turnover to start the third quarter and kind of pulled away. Very difficult, tough game, and we expect that again. It’s a team that’s predicted to finish first in the MAC (Mid-American Conference), believe they are receiving already 13 or 14 AP Top 25 votes. They are a team you have to beat. They will not beat themselves. They are very sound, they are very well coached, and we are excited about that opportunity. For our team, we’ve been working hard. You’ve heard me talk about it, I am proud of this team and the work we’ve done to get to this point. It is time to go tee it up. I’m glad game week is here, and we have to go play some good football. If we want to change the narrative, then we have go play well. Our performance will dictate what is said about us, and it’s time to tee it up and go play.”
On Tucker Gleason and the problems he presents in the pocket…
“He’s obviously (had) a year or two in the system being a starter, quite impressive last year with the way he threw the ball and getting very valuable yards through running as well. They have designed quarterback runs that he gets the tough, aggravating yards and critical first downs, and then he also does a very nice job of buying time. Quite a bit of experience for him, very good player.”
On Chip Trayanum…
“Chip is a tough, physical back. Unfortunately wasn’t very healthy here, but we know what he’s capable of when fully healthy. I would expect in game one that he’ll be ready to go. Very physical, very good back.”
On the decision process with Zach Calzada being named the starting QB…
“I think the big thing is, it wasn’t what Zach wasn’t doing, it was Cutter (Boley) really playing well, in particular down the stretch of camp. I’d say over the last 10 days, he just seemed so much more comfortable, so much more confident, and playing at a higher level. I think both of them were playing well, and we need that. As you know, we have a very difficult schedule in front of us, and we need all hands on deck. I’m quite confident in both of those guys.”
On why there are a lot of “ors” on the depth chart at wide receiver…
“I wouldn’t put any ‘or’ on there for anybody I didn’t believe could go out and play winning football. I would simply leave them off the depth chart or leave them second. Sometimes it’s just a rotational thing. You have guys who are playing consistent and there’s no clear separation. At some positions, as you know, there’s more of a rotation than at others and that’s certainly one of them.”
On Calzada embracing the role of game manager and your perspective…
“I think he’s tried talking himself into that because he likes to get the ball down the field and take some shots. I think that’s just through coaching, because when things are there, and checkdowns are there, and keeping the chains moving, those are things he has to do. He’s done a better job with that, so I think he’s probably alluding to that.”
On Ty Bryant returning punts…
“I think Jay (Boulware, special teams coach) wasn’t around when Ty was playing baseball back in the day, so he’s a good baseball player. He gets a good bead on it, and he’s done a nice job fielding punts. A year ago, we lost some critical yardage from time to time not fielding those things and Ty has done a nice job. He has that baseball background, that helps.”
On special teams and kick coverage having been good in the past…
“Well, we have to go out and prove it again, and that’s the thing. Overall, the special teams have been extremely solid, not only with the kickers but with the coverage units, and the protections, and all that. We have to do another very good job this year. Generally, when we’re doing well on special teams, we don’t talk about it in here, so let’s hope it’s quiet in here that way, right?”
On ‘strength vs. strength,’ Toledo receivers and UK defensive backs…
“Yeah, I also want to compliment their secondary. They have a very good secondary as well, but certainly their receivers are very good. Two players that gained All-MAC honors a year ago, and with their quarterback in the system, these guys have been together for a long time. They know what they want to do, and they always are very well coached. We have to play great team defense, that’s it. Our defensive backs have to do their job, they have to cover, and they have to win some one-on-ones. But we also have to have great pressure. We have to be very disciplined in our (rush) lanes, because sometimes guys want to get pressure in predictable pass (passing situations), and we get out of our lanes. You have a quarterback, as we mentioned, that has the experience to buy time, so we have to play great team defense.”
On coaching game one mistakes out of the team before game one…
“Yeah, I think there’s a fine line there. We harp on ball security all through camp, each and every day. It is critical. The staff and I already talked about it this morning in our staff meeting, and we’re re-emphasizing that. But again, we want to play aggressive, and we want to continue to build on the good things we’ve done throughout camp. We don’t want to play timid, but preaching ball security is something that we have to do all year. In general, we have to be better in turnover margin. At the end of the year, I want to see us making a gain in that area.”
Uncertainties on your mind before seeing the team play…
“Oh, you want me to give you a specific outline? (laughter from media) Come on now, you know I’m not going to go there. I think it’s fair to say, in game one, I’ve probably sat here in some form or fashion, talked about this. Everybody’s excited for game one, and we’re tired of playing against each other. But game one, what I try to head off and its through experience, we’ve talked about games we’ve had in here where we exploded in the first half and didn’t finish, and guys let their emotions get out of control and things of that nature. So those are all things that I will touch on with them. Handling the environment, handling the situation and making sure we’re thoroughly prepared throughout this week, but also being consistent throughout the game. There’s going to be adversity in every game. How are we going to respond to that? Again, trying to be as consistent as we can for four quarters.”
Injury rule change…
“You do have to discuss it because let’s be honest, that’s tough sometimes because those players got a bunch of adrenaline in their bodies and these guys are hyped up and they want to get up and go but they may not be able to. I think you saw that in the game Saturday where a player was legitimately injured, and they got charged with a time out. I don’t think that was the intent for that rule. I think the officials do have some discretion, but we do have to educate our players on it, yes.”
There are two true freshman offensive linemen on the depth chart, are you expecting them to play?
“I think you heard me talk during preseason camp when I talked about the O-line depth and I felt like we had eight guys that were prepared. We have some swing guys in there that can go but we also have two true freshmen that we believe in and need to get them some reps, and we are not opposed to playing them.”
Playing the other three linemen on the second unit or playing just five starters…
“We will definitely try to get the other three of the eight (in the game).”
Thoughts on nine conference games next season…
“I was prepared for that to come, and I think that’s where it was headed for a long time. I think the last official quote I had on that was I was tired of talking about it, bring it on, whatever it is, it is. Look at our schedule this year. It’s hard to get more difficult than that. We have a top five, top six most difficult schedule (in the nation) and next year it will be about the same.”
Preserving the Louisville game…
“I think I was on record the last time we talked about that, and I said I was for that.”
On a quote from 2023 about not playing Tennessee in the three-team permanent rotation…
“Well, I honestly have no idea on that. I don’t remember, I really don’t recall, 2023 and what we were discussing there. I don’t recall that in ‘23, but I could promise you going forward, I have no clue. I’ve had a lot to do, and I felt like, you know, that’s out of my hands. But let’s be honest, people ask me my opinion and everything, and I know, I’ve been in this league for 13 years, but I could promise you that the people above me don’t really care what I think about that (laughter), at the commissioner’s office, and the commissioner’s level, and the presidents, everybody has to do what’s best for the league. I understand that, I believe in the leadership, this school in the conference, and it is what it is. I’m not going to change that, no matter what my opinion is.”
On if coaches have a big enough say…
“No, we don’t really have any say. None (laughing).”
On the three nickelbacks listed on the depth chart…
“It’s a position that we are confident in those three guys. They bring different elements, and we’ll see how that progresses throughout the year, but I like all three of those players. I think they bring something.”
On the health of the team going into this game…
“I think we’re in pretty good shape, coming out of camp and being able to take as many physical reps as we had, I think I’m pleased with where we’re at. There may be a player or two throughout this week that we’ll see, but in general, we are in pretty good shape.”
On the benefits of playing a good opponent first…
“It’s a long, difficult year, and we have to approach this with 12 one-week seasons, and I know everybody has a job to do, and there’s different narratives out there and all that, but for us, we really have to attack it, each and every week, walking into this team meeting with our players, that they have to be prepared no matter what happened the week before, to get ready to go play a new opponent, So, I think it’s just the challenge of the year. Our guys should have no problem getting excited for this game. It’s game one. And it’s a very good opponent, as I mentioned, all you have to do is look at their record and again, if our players want to change the narrative, then we have an opportunity to do that. Here’s a team that a lot of people are saying has the chance to be in the (college football) playoff, the non-power four (conference) representative, and getting top 25 votes, and a very good team. We have an opportunity to go showcase what we’ve been working on and I think my answer to that each and every week, it’s really about us and how we play, and it’s about our performance. I want to go see us play. I know the players do, but we have to take care of business each and every day as well.”
On relationship with Jason Candle…
“I don’t know him personally very well, but I have a lot of respect for what he’s done and his staff, with him and vast majority of his staff go all the way back to Mount Union, and they’re a bunch of winners. They’ve won a lot of games, they’ve won championships, he’s been there a long time. They have a lot of continuity on their staff. They’re obviously doing a very good job.”
On how Toledo has had good continuity…
“I think a very good program, just a good program, and he’s carried on a great tradition and they’ve been very good and very consistent. If I’m not mistaken, they’re one of the top teams in the country with the consistency that they’ve had over a long period of time.”
On UK’s 2024 recruiting class and expectations for them…
“Yeah, I think they’re a good group. I love their attitude, their work ethic. They have been very good and I’m excited to watch them play. And again, I think just game one, it’s about just doing your job. That’s the big thing. Our players have to be very disciplined with their eyes, and things of that nature, and just making sure we stay within ourselves and taking care of the primary responsibility first. You’ve probably heard me say this over the years, walking in there on Mondays, talking about some instances where players are trying to do too much. They have to trust their teammates and do their job first and then be ballplayers and go do what they’re going to do.”
On what you’ve learned going into your 13th season opener…
“I think coaches say this all the time, and I certainly feel like this. You try to not make the same mistake twice, so things that have happened in openers before, I really try to head off and make sure we’re prepared. I feel like the staff, we’ve been very thorough, going through camp, but you have to go play. And as I tell the team often, a lot of games come down to situational football, and there’s no way we could replicate every situation that’s going to come up with us. Throughout the season, we try to continue to build on their football IQ, watch other people make some mistakes, and things that we’ve been through, and try to head it off before it happens, but we have to play the game and be prepared for each and every situation that comes up.”
On the team’s biggest step forward during camp…
“I’d say consistency, throughout camp. Towards the end, I just felt like we were playing cleaner football. I feel like we are a physical football team again. I hope we can go prove that. We will see. I think we’ve worked hard and (made) improvement in certain areas, but I’d say consistency is the big thing.”
On Jager Burton moving to center…
“Jager, (he’s) just getting better at every opportunity. He’s been very good and I’m excited to watch him play, Jager’s a good football player, and he’s willing to do what it takes to help this team.”
On Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace in camp…
“He’s a quiet guy, he just kind of goes about his business, but he’s a guy who definitely could create some pressure. As you know, we needed to improve in that area. He’s one of the guys that we’re counting on to step it up in that area. But he’s an athletic guy that can gain some steps on the quarterback quickly, and hopefully he’ll continue to show us that.”
