WATCH: Stoops, Levis and Paschal following UK's First Citrus Bowl Practice

Kentucky kicked off Citrus Bowl prep Friday afternoon. “Prep” probably isn’t the right word to describe the Wildcats’ practice. Mark Stoops said he has not watched one piece of Iowa film yet.

“I was really impressed with their energy, their focus and the way we practiced,” Stoops said. “Today was just about fundamentally getting better against each other and just playing football. They were excited to do that. They had a lot of fun.”

Stoops has not watched any Iowa film because he’s been busy on the road recruiting. How busy have the coaches been?

“I forgot what the coaches faces looked like after them being out recruiting for so long,” Will Levis joked.

Underclassmen Open Eyes at Practice

The early bowl practices in particular provide a valuable opportunity for underclassmen to develop. Instead of running scout team, the third team gets reps within Liam Coen’s offense and Brad White’s defense. Josh Paschal likes what he saw from Kahlil Saunders and Tre’vonn Rybka. Will Levis was pleased to see true freshman Chris Lewis, a former four-star wide receiver from Alabama, step up during his time to shine.

“He made some plays out there today.,” said UK’s quarterback. “He made a couple plays in particular that opened some eyes for sure. I think if he gets some more time of development from both a mental and physical standpoint, he can be a really good player.”

Paschal not Opting-Out

Opt-outs happen across college football, but not at Kentucky. Paschal has professional aspirations, yet is doing whatever it takes to play one more game for the Wildcats.

“If I can play in a bowl game, I’m going to play,” he said. “Everybody knows that in this building. I’m going to try to be back by the bowl game.”

Paschal suffered an injury in the season finale victory over Louisville in the Governor’s Cup. He did not disclose the specifics or the severity of the injury. The defensive end was eager to share that Kentucky is prepared to go all-out for the win. If it’s a competition between who wants it more, you will not have to question the Wildcats’ effort.

“I think that it comes down to who wants it more. When you get down there for that bowl game, it depends on what team shows up on that game day. If it’s that team that was just there for the gifts, is there for the travel, for Universal (Studios), or if it was that team that wants to playin the game, that wants to win. It will come down to the team that brings that mentality and that’s going to be us.”