Mark Stoops admits Will Levis 'forced things' against Tennessee

Kentucky struggled in their 44-6 loss to Tennessee this weekend, but nobody may have struggled more than quarterback Will Levis, who had a hard time getting things going for the Wildcat’s offense. Head coach Mark Stoops spoke about the struggles of his quarterback Saturday, attributing some of the blame on the nature of the ball game.

“It was tough, when the game was starting to get away from us he’s forcing things and that’s the competitor in him, that’s human nature we’re trying to force, trying to make plays,” Stoops said.

The game got away from the Wildcats fast, as the first quarter ended with them down one point to the Vols before they would go on a 37-0 run that left them in dust and forced them to play catch up for the remainder of the game.

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As they tried to fight back, Levis struggled taking care of the ball and pushing it down the field, ending the game with just 98 passing yards and throwing three interceptions, all of which Stoops talked about.

“You know they’re scoring at that point and we’re not moving the ball, and so a couple of the late ones, the play where they made in the first half with the deflection was a very good play off the deflection. The other ones may have, you know, there was one underthrown as well, and the deep one,” Stoops explained.

Levis’ offensive woes could be a combination of many different factors from forcing things, to playing from behind, to Tennessee’s elite defense play, amongst others. But hopefully for Kentucky, they’re figured out and solved before their next matchup, another road test this week against Missouri.

Hendon Hooker says battling Will Levis did not add motivation

Tennessee‘s 44-6 win over Kentucky improved their record to 8-0 and their ranking in the AP Poll to No. 2, and was a matchup headlined by two quarterbacks that you’ll likely see playing on Sundays following this college football season. Kentucky’s Will Levis and Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker squared off on Saturday, and are both names that have been highly discussed as two of the top quarterback prospects headed into the 2023 NFL Draft. Following the win, Hooker was asked if there was any added motivation facing another opposing quarterback that could be a top draft pick, which he quickly dismissed.

“Not really, I mean just coming in every day trying to do my job to get the ultimate goal, and that’s winning,” Hooker said.

Hooker and his squad got the best of Levis not only on the scoreboard, but on the state sheet as well. Hooker ended the evening with 245 passing yards, zero interceptions, and three touchdown passes, his third straight game with three or more touchdown passes.

He also added a touchdown run to his day, but Levis was not as fortunate. The Vol’s defense gave him fits all night, forcing him into throwing three interceptions, zero touchdowns, and his first game of the season throwing for under 200 passing yards, ending the game with just 98.

Hooker may have won the individual matchup against Levis, but it seemed far from his focus, as he looks to continue leading Tennessee on their historic, unprecedented run.

“So coming in on a daily basis and making sure that I’m doing what I’m supposed to do, motivating my teammates, and locking into my assignment, and communicating at a high level,” Hooker said. “That’s what I try to do day in and day out.”