Mark Stoops Learned About the Gator Bowl at a Texas Roadhouse

Do you remember where you were when you learned Kentucky was playing an “ACC opponent” in the Gator Bowl? Mark Stoops will never forget it.

While some folks were furiously smashing refresh on Twitter and nervously checking Brett McMurphy’s feed, Mark Stoops was preoccupied.

“It was exciting. I was on the road at a home visit. I was actually eating at a Texas Roadhouse at the time and got the text, was excited about it,” Stoops said.

The Kentucky head coach was focused on the rolls and recruiting Quaysheed Scott. After all, South Carolina is actively trying to flip the Top 300 cornerback from Georgia. The head coach has his priorities in line.

Texas Roadhouse is a staple across the Commonwealth and beyond. The original location is right across the river from Louisville in Clarksville, IN. Some say the Okolona location is Louisville’s most popular attraction south of the Watterson Expressway. So what is Mark Stoops’ meal of choice at such a prestigious eatery?

“I went easy there. I just went cheeseburger,” he said. “Is that all right?”

Good choice, Mark. You gotta go easy on the entree to save room for the rolls.

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Stoops: Opponent and Location Big for Program

As Tyler Thompson wrote about earlier, the impact of Kentucky’s bowl destination is making a difference on the depth chart. Opt-outs are a plague among bowl season, one Kentucky has not been able to completely avoid. By drawing a name brand Clemson team in a Florida bowl game, the locker room received an injection of energy.

“The response has been incredible,” said the Kentucky head coach. “Our guys are excited about this bowl game want to play in this bowl game. And I think we’ll be pretty darn close to 100% in this bowl game.”

Even though high school and transfer portal recruiting is consuming most of his time this week, he’s met with almost every player on the roster. The feedback following a strong finish at Louisville is just what he needed to hear.

“I came away from those meetings so encouraged because as you know, the season gets challenging for everybody,” said Stoops. “It’s demanding and it’s challenging. I came away from those meetings just extremely encouraged with our players.”

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