Mark Stoops ponders crazy coaching stat accomplished by Billy Napier in one-score games

It doesn’t matter how you win, but rather how much you win. Florida head coach Billy Napier knows this better than most with a remarkable 17-3 record in one possession games heading into the No. 12 Gators’ game against No. 20 Kentucky this Saturday.

UK headman Mark Stoops discussed Napier’s record in those close games – which more often than not ends up being the case when the Wildcats and Gators meet on the gridiron.

“I’m not sure [what that says about him],” Stoops said during Wednesday’s SEC Teleconference. “I haven’t paid attention, you can understand, to that stat as you have or whose those games were against. I think something that comes to mind is how smart of a play-caller he is.

“You can tell with the way he calls a game that he is smart and not going to beat himself. He isn’t going to take risks that are unnecessary. He is a good play-caller and keeps you off-balance. I think that probably has something to do with it.”

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

Coming off of its fourth 10-win season in program history, Kentucky opened up this season with a 37-13 against Miami (OH) where quarterback Will Levis finished with 303 yards passing and three touchdowns.

Stoops’ confidence in his team starts at the quarterback position, and will look to Levis to will the Wildcats past the Gators (hopefully, for Mark Stoops, by more than one score), especially without their star running back Chris Rodriguez, who is serving a suspension following an offseason DUI charge.

Regardless of who’s on the field for Kentucky on Saturday, Stoops’ message for his team is clear: focus on what’s right in front of you and drown out the rest of the noise.

“I think there is a belief in your program that all of us like to have and that you are going to make a play and do the things necessary,” Stoops said. “Staying in the moment is a big thing. We have had our fair share, lately, of winning those games as well. There is a new challenge each and every week, but I think having the ability to be physical, play good defense, and run the ball at times is helpful. Just that strong belief system within your team that you are going to win.”