Stoops: Kentucky is "highly motivated" to finish the season strong

Kentucky’s 6-0 start is far in the rearview mirror. Following a disheartening 45-42 loss to Tennessee, the Wildcats have now dropped three straight games. Dreams of a New Year’s Six bowl have vanished. Kentucky could pack it up and sleep walk to the finish line, but Mark Stoops does not foresee that happening in the final three games of the regular season.

“As far as team morale and where we’re at, things of that nature, I’m very optimistic. I know our team. I know a lot of our leaders. I’ve seen a lot of them talk to a lot of them after the game. They’re highly motivated to finish the season,” Stoops said during his Monday afternoon weekly press conference.

Leadership Advantages

Aside from a few throws here and there, Kentucky did almost everything right offensively against Tennessee. Following the loss, it could be easy to point the finger at the defense. That will not happen, thanks to guys like Luke Fortner, Darian Kinnard and Wan’Dale Robinson.

A team that is loaded with upperclassmen on both sides of the ball, this is not their first rodeo. Unfortunately, there have been winless months in their college football careers. There have also been big wins to end seasons on a high note, changing the trajectory of the program (see: the 2021 Gator Bowl victory).

“There’s a lot of players, a lot of people that have invested a lot of time,” Stoops said on his call-in show. “The guys have been around for a while. They know the deal. There’s always adversity. We’re all going to have it. It’s how you handle it, how you respond to it and what’s our reaction gonna be? That will dictate the outcome of the next game.”

Kentucky can still win out, defeat a rival and play in a Florida New Year’s bowl game. It’s easier said than done. I will not kid you, Vanderbilt has been BAD against power five opponents. Even so, the Commodores have a couple of talented wide receivers and two quarterbacks to prepare for this week. To return to their winning ways, Kentucky’s leaders must right the ship, starting at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility.

“We just need to have a great week of preparation,” said Stoops. “It’s how we respond. Nobody likes being in this situation. How much does it bother you to make a difference, to make a change? How we react will determine the outcome.”