Mark Stoops, Kentucky embracing the challenge of facing Tennessee

Kentucky will be walking into hostile territory as they head to Knoxville and Neyland Stadium this weekend. The Wildcats won the last time they made a trip to Tennessee, but getting one this time around will be a whole different animal. Mark Stoops hopes their last experience there with his experienced group will help them but full knows that that’s not a guarantee.

Stoops talked about the challenges of playing Tennessee, specifically on the road, during media on Thursday. He says beating them in 2020 has given some of his players a certain confidence. However, he says that result won’t affect the final outcome of this year’s game as it’s completely independent.

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“I mean the guys that were here? They know. They’ve been in there, played, and played well,” said Stoops. “But, as you know what I’m gonna say, every year is different and every game is different. We have to go prove it and have another opportunity here.”

Things have changed a lot in this series just over their last two matchups. In 2020, Kentucky beat No. 18 Tennessee 34-7 by way of three early interceptions from Jarrett Guarantano, including two pick-sixes. The Wildcats started with a 17-0 lead and never looked back.

An overhauled Tennessee came to Lexington last year, though, and got Stoops back. The Vols hired Josh Heupel in the offseason to replace Jeremy Pruitt, started Hendon Hooker at quarterback, and beat Kentucky in a 45-42 shootout in Kroger Field.

That’s why neither team can let their last wins against the other serve as evidence as to how they can win this one. Stoops is taking note of that, even after earning the Wildcat’s first win in Neyland since 1984. Considering the crowd that will be in attendance under the lights to cheer on the nation’s No. 3 team, he knows his team will have to be ready.

“I think there’s a lot of our players that have experience that have played in a lot of these tough venues. You have to embrace it,” Stoops said. “You have to be ready to meet that challenge or you’re gonna have a hard time.”

With the way Tennessee runs their offense, there’s a chance the Wildcats get run back across the state line. However, this won’t be a scared Kentucky team by any means that runs out on Saturday night. That’s not in Stoops’ vocabulary, which is why his team found success there last time. They can’t rely solely on that previous win, but it’s a nice bit of experience in their back pocket as UK looks to make it a winning streak in Neyland Stadium.