'I want to do something': Mark Stoops plans on Kentucky having some type of spring game

by:Adam Luckett•about 10 hours•

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Kentucky football spring game sideline — Dr. Michael Huang | KSR

Spring practice will finally arrive at the University of Kentucky when the calendar turns to March. That means that head coach Mark Stoops and the rest of his coaching staff will get 15 practices to work with their new team that features a lot of new faces.

But the spring format across the college football landscape is changing.

NC State, Nebraska, Texas, and Missouri will not hold spring games this year. With another transfer portal awaiting in April, some coaching staffs are hesitant about putting a spring game on tape for other college football recruiting staffs to view and potentially tamper with their roster. However, Mark Stoops has no plans to cancel the spring game but it could look different.

“I want to do something. It’s a little early. I think we’re in really good shape. Healthy right now. I want to open it up and show you guys and show the fans and make sure you guys and the fans get access,” Stoops told the media on Tuesday at Kroger Field. “Whether it’s a practice or spring game. However we format it. I want to do something.”

Kentucky held a modified spring game last year that wasn’t full tackle to the ground, but included the offenses and defenses facing off. This wasn’t a split squad scrimmage but gave fans a chance the team’s starting unit on offense and defense. We should probably expect something similar this spring but the current plan is to not put the game on television.

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“I don’t think we’ll put it on TV,” said Stoops. “We haven’t talked about it or anything but I want to open it up to you and to our fans. Even if it’s a practice, at least a lot of times, you can see more.”

Kentucky is scheduled to release the spring schedule soon. When the spring game arrives in April, do not expect the yearly event to be shown on television with another transfer portal window right around the corner. The Wildcats will have a game but it will look different. With a proposal out to change the spring practice structure, this could become the last time to see a a traditional spring game in April at Kroger Field.