KSR Today: A Spicy Mark Stoops Show and Critical Tuesday Practice

A week ago, the Kentucky Football team did not show up ready to work at Tuesday’s practice, angering Mark Stoops to the point he was still talking about it on Monday following the Cats’ 51-13 loss to Georgia. As Kentucky looks to pick up the pieces and regroup ahead of Saturday’s critical game vs. Missouri, let’s hope everyone woke up on the right side of the bed this morning. Even if they didn’t, there’s still time to get right before the Cats take the field this afternoon.

Stoops’ practice rant was just one of several news items from a busy Monday. As we do each Tuesday, let’s run through the biggest headlines before tackling today’s docket.

Monday Football Headlines

Stoops Press Conference Link Dump

• Updated depth chart (No Jalen Geiger or Kenneth Horsey)
• Geiger expected to miss multiple games
• Stoops won’t let one loss become two
• Stoops on what’s holding Devin Leary back
• Stoops on critical midweek practice, Dane Key’s improvement

Mark Stoops goes on the defensive on call-in show

The news did not stop with Monday’s press conference. During his call-in show last night, Stoops got defensive when a caller asked why Kentucky couldn’t “get over the hump” and beat big teams, and a few minutes later, said the program could use help with name, image, and likeness (NIL) to compete with the elite.

“Fans have that right (to complain),” Stoops said. “I give it to them. I just encourage them to donate more, because that’s what those dudes are doing. I can promise you, Georgia, they bought some pretty good players. You’re allowed to these days. We could use some help.”

It is true that Kentucky Football (or rather, its collective The 15 Club) could use more NIL support; it is also true that asking for it after losing to Georgia 51-13 when the Cats shot themselves in the foot with errors and undisciplined play is a little tone deaf.

This morning, Vince Marrow took to Twitter to do a little damage control.

I said it and i will say it again no 1 could have done what @UKCoachStoops has done here. I love u BBN and so does our staff. Please come and cheer very loud Saturday night because we need u. Go Big Blue. https://t.co/dhmuKxYuHS

— CoachMarrowUK (@vincemarrow) October 10, 2023

Mark Stoops’ Monday Press Conference

Press Conference Rapid Reaction

KSR Football Podcast

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Liam Coen, Offense Day at Practice

We won’t have to wait long to hear how today’s practice goes. Immediately after, Liam Coen and other members of the offense will speak with reporters. Check the site this evening for a recap and the KSR YouTube Channel for all the interviews.

We’ll hear from Eli Drinkwitz

How are the Missouri Tigers feeling about Saturday’s game? Head coach Eliah Drinkwitz will meet with reporters at 1 p.m. ET today to share his thoughts on the matchup. Drinkwitz is 1-2 against Kentucky as Missouri’s head coach, the lone win coming in 2020, his first season in CoMo. The Tigers are 5-1 this season, beating South Dakota, Middle Tennessee State, Kansas State, Memphis, and Vanderbilt before losing to LSU 49-39 at Faurot Field on Saturday. Missouri has lost seven of the last eight to the Cats.

“I’ve been very impressed with Missouri and the way they’re playing,” Stoops said on Monday. “Their quarterback, Brady Cook, has been exceptional. Their wide receiver, Luther Burden is a super player and they’re playing at a high level.”

Cook ranks third in the SEC in passing yards (1,879 total) and completions (135). He’s second in passing touchdowns, with 13, to only two interceptions. Burden ranks first in receptions (54) and receiving yards (793). Kentucky’s secondary will have to perform much better than it did in Athens to slow down the Tigers.

Sources Say previews Pro Day, Madness

We’re all wrapped up in football but basketball is almost here too. Tomorrow, Kentucky will host its annual Pro Day at Rupp Arena. You can watch live on SEC Network+ (aka “the computer”) from 6-8 p.m. SportsCenter will also be doing live hits from Rupp from 6-7:30 p.m. on ESPN. It’ll be a nice appetizer for Big Blue Madness, which takes place Friday night.

To get you ready for roundball, Jack Pilgrim and Shawn Smith will go live on Sources Say at 8 p.m. ET on the KSR YouTube Channel. In addition to Pro Day and Madness, they’ll share the rumblings they’ve been hearing from practice and the latest from the recruiting trail. If you’re a KSBoard member, submit a question for them on the message board and you might even be invited on the show to ask it.

Got thoughts? Continue the conversation on KSBoard, the KSR Message Board. New members can try 1 month for $1.

Jared Lorenzen’s son following in father’s footsteps

It’s hard to believe it’s been over four years since we lost Jared Lorenzen. The former Kentucky quarterback was a legend on the field and an even bigger character off it, and now, his son is following in his footsteps. Tayden Lorenzen, now a freshman at Highlands, completed his first career varsity pass on Friday night.

Tayden Lorenzen, the son of the late Jared Lorenzen, completed his first career varsity pass on Friday in Highlands victory over Boone County.

Have heard the freshman has a lot of potential.

— Evan Dennison (@EvanDennison1) October 9, 2023

Like his dad, Tayden is a multi-sport athlete. He also plays baseball and has quite a swing:

2027 RHP/3B Tayden Lorenzen@WowFactorOHV

Turns on this one and crushes it down the left field line for a hard base hit. #pbrmac #pbr54 pic.twitter.com/MhU1N05knQ

— PBR Ohio Scouting Coverage (@PBROhioScout) July 6, 2023

Download the new KSR/On3 Fan Site App

It’s now easier than ever to follow KSR on your phone. The technology team at On3, our parent company, created a state-of-the-art app featuring breaking news alerts, push notifications, quick access to KSR and KSBoard, the On3 database, schedules, and scores. The existing KSR app is going away later this week so download the On3 fan site app now for the best way to consume all the content we’re churning out. It’s free in your App Store.

Powerball jackpot now up to $1.73 billion

If you haven’t checked the numbers yet, I’m sorry to tell you that no, you did not win the Powerball jackpot. No ticket matched all six numbers last night, which brings the jackpot for Wednesday’s drawing up to $1.73 billion, the second largest in U.S. history. I won’t be the only one in line at the gas station to get a ticket today.

KSR is live at El Mariachi

This morning, the gang is at Ryan Lemond’s favorite restaurant, El Mariachi, to recap a busy Monday, including Stoops’ call-in show comments. If you’re in Lexington, come on down to 391 Rose Street to enjoy the show and some delicious Mexican food.