Terry Wilson will have Vince Marrow calling plays for him in the bowl game. (SEC Photo)
While COVID-19 issues have hit other teams playing in bowl games and even forced the cancellation of some games, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said his team was “darn near 100 percent” when it returned from Christmas break Sunday. He’s still waiting on the test results for a few players who got back late Sunday because of flight delays. The Cats had 157 tests given to players and staff with no positive test results.
“Let’s hope it stays that way. We have to do another test on Wednesday,” Stoops said Monday.
I asked Stoops if the Christmas break was good for him after such a stressful season for so many reasons.
“Christmas was really good. It was a much needed break and I really spent some time with the family, spent some time with the kids and that was really good,” the UK coach said.
New offensive coordinator Liam Coen is still working with the Los Angeles Rams, so recruiting coordinator/tight ends coach Vince Marrow will call plays in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Saturday in Jacksonville against North Carolina State.
“It’ll be a collaborative effort (calling the plays) that’s for sure, as it always is putting a game plan together, but I have all the confidence in Vince,” Stoops said. “Any responsibility I give Vince and have given him through his time here he’s done it and he’s done it very well so you know he understands –- he’s lighthearted and he’s a great recruiter and heads up that effort all the time — but when you put responsibility like this in front of him he takes that challenge also.
“Let’s not kid ourselves, at the end of the day we’re all competitive people and Vince has an opportunity to prove himself. I’m excited for him but there’s a lot of us in there trying to put together a good game plan that will come together and be effective for us.”
It’s not hard to know what Stoops would like to see from the offense.
“When we are successful we have our balance and we’re able to throw the ball at least efficiently and effectively to keep people a little bit on their heels and not be so predictable,” Stoops said.
