Joe Moorhead has 'utmost respect' for Mark Stoops

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops and Akron head coach Joe Moorhead are very familiar with each other. The two coaches have similar roots and have a head-to-head history on the field. Stoops even reportedly considered Moorhead for Kentucky’s offensive coordinator vacancy before ultimately hiring Liam Coen in Dec. 2020.

These two head coaches have plenty of respect for one another. Mark Stoops knows that Moorhead’s creative offensive system can stretch defenses in multiple ways even though the Zips appear to have a pretty significant quarterback issue at the moment. Moorhead, meanwhile, has nothing but respect for what Stoops has accomplished in Lexington.

“I have the utmost respect for Coach Stoops. Ohio guy, Cardinal Mooney guy and his staff. Vince Marrow, Coach [Liam] Coen, Coach [Brad] White, and all those guys. As we mentioned on the TV show, great job by their administration giving Coach Stoops time to build a program,” the Akron head coach said in a press conference this week. “No rushed judgements, no pulling the plug quickly, and he’s done a great job building the program in his image and likeness.”

In 2018, Kentucky hosted Mississippi State in Joe Moorhead’s first season in Starkville. The Wildcats pulled off a huge home upset as nine-point underdog over No. 14 Mississippi State with huge fourth quarter performances by Josh Allen and Benny Snell Jr. on a wild night at Kroger Field. The next year, Moorhead returned the favor as his offense rushed for 241 yards and rang up 6.8 yards per play in a 28-13 win over the Wildcats. Saturday’s game between the two head coaches will be a third meeting.

Moorhead expects a difficult challenge at Kroger Field.

“They’re going to be tough, they’re going to be physical, they’re going to be well-coached,” Moorhead said. “It’s going to be a huge challenge.”