Stoops searching for answers for Kentucky's 2-10 record in its last 12 home SEC games

Kroger Field hasn’t been a home-field advantage for Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference lately. In fact, the Wildcats found a way to be pretty bad at home, losing 10 of the last 12 SEC games in Lexington. You don’t need me to tell you that’s a horrible home record. I will remind you that Kentucky was a double-digit favorite in two of those home losses this season.

After dropping homecoming night to Vanderbilt, Stoops admitted in his postgame comments that he struggles with why the home atmosphere has been unkind to his team. He told Tom Leach, “Sometimes I think guys get in this environment, they get at home, and they press, and they just push, you know, too much.”

In his postgame press conference, Stoops said he talked to his team earlier in the week about being better prepared at home and what is holding them back. He faced questions about the home record before hosting Vanderbilt, then again after Kentucky lost 20-13 to the Commodores.

“It’s a fair question,” Stoops said. “I’ve looked at it too, you know, and thought about it and talked to the guys and talked to them about coming here and having our composure, having our control. And I talked to them about it openly, like, what is it, man?”

He wondered if his players get too amped up or have too many people in town, creating unnecessary distractions.

“Whatever it is, put it away and dial in and commit to doing the things necessary to win in this game,” Stoops said. “Obviously I didn’t do a good enough job, but I tried addressing that and addressing all of it about really focusing and being disciplined.”

He added, “Emotion doesn’t win you games. Execution and discipline win you games.”

Kentucky was not disciplined against Vanderbilt. The Wildcats had 12 penalties for 106 yards with two turnovers, leading to another embarrassing home loss.

More from Mark Stoops postgame: