Mark Stoops Confident BBN Can "Pound Some Beers" for Noon Kickoff

The Big Blue Nation let out a collective sigh a week ago when we learned Kentucky would host Florida at Noon. The game will receive a premium time-slot on ESPN, but almost all fans prefer a late night atmosphere for a big game.

The last time Kentucky hosted Florida at Kroger Field, it was a raucous crowd from the primetime game under the lights. The crowd pop for Trevin Wallace‘s touchdown off a blocked field goal is the stuff of legend. Kentucky fans forced Florida to commit one pre-snap penalty after another. Mark Stoops believes the BBN can provide that same energy, even though the game is at noon, not at night.

“I have great confidence in the people of Kentucky that can get up very early and pound some beers,” Stoops joked. “Why would you disrespect this great state and the great people of it?”

Beers, Bourbon, Bloody Marys — whatever it takes for the BBN to put Kentucky over the top against Florida.

Mark Stoops believes the #BBN will bring it for a Noon kickoff against Florida at Kroger Field.

🎥 See all of his Florida Week Press Conference: https://t.co/tCSd9Fp9S7 pic.twitter.com/Bfo3ucQgrA

— KSR (@KSRonX) September 25, 2023

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Stoops: Kentucky will be Ready

No offense to Vanderbilt, but the competition is cranking up a notch starting this weekend. Florida is the first of four straight ranked opponents on the schedule.

“We’re getting a great challenge and looking forward to getting home and we need the crowd packed and we need ’em loud. It’s gonna be a big SEC East game,” said Stoops.

Kentucky went 31 years without a win over Florida. Now the Wildcats are seeking their third straight victory in the series, and fourth in the last six years. Just because Kentucky has won more as of late, they aren’t losing their edge. He expects his team to return to practice Monday hungry to improve ahead of the big-time matchup with the Gators.

“We’re playing Florida. You know it’s gonna take a great effort. We’re playing that home. We should have a great sense of pride. There’s that term that we use a lot in our program is that divine discontent,” Stoops said. “We know there’s more out there, we know we can play better and that out to be our motivation.”

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