Eric Wolford coached at South Carolina, the team Kentucky plays Saturday, last season. (UK Athletics Photo)
Kentucky has a chance to go to 2-0 in Southeastern Conference play if it can win at South Carolina Saturday night — and play a lot better overall than it did against Chattanooga last week. Kentucky coach Mark Stoops shared random thoughts about the game and more during his weekly press conference Monday.
Question: Are you able to block out Sandstorm, the crowd, the rooster crowing, etc., at South Carolina?
Stoops: “I got the headsets on, so I don’t hear any of that. I know it gets rocking and can appreciate it, but once I put the headsets on, I don’t hear any of that.”
Question: Does offensive line coach Eric Wolford’s knowledge of the South Carolina personnel give Kentucky an advantage based on former South Carolina coach Will Muschamp being on the Georgia staff…
Stoops: “That’s funny. You think anything had to do with it, those beasts that Georgia had on their team? This is a different (South Carolina) team, a different mentality. Will, I love Will, I have great respect for Will, I’m friends with Will, but Georgia’s got pretty good players.”
Question: What is takeaway was from last year’s game against South Carolina and how it might help this year?
Stoops: “Not much, just because of the situation that they were in last year, very different. Down a lot of guys, coaching change in the middle of the season, guys opting out and not playing, very different. This is the front end, so everyone is trying to prove themselves, and there’s a great energy, very fundamentally sound in all areas. So, they’re very motivated.”
Question: How does South Carolina’s quarterback and running back situation affects Kentucky’s preparation?
Stoops: “Not much, not much. Very good backs, very balanced, either quarterback will run their offense. Similar to us in some ways. You see some under center, you see the run game carryover, you see the play-action, you see the shots; I feel like they have some guys that can hurt you outside, they have some difference-makers at wide receiver, but they also have some really good backs. So, very, very good team.”
Question: Does the strength of South Carolina’s front seven on defense add motivation for UK’s offensive line?
Stoops: “I’m sure they’re going to be motivated, but definitely, I thought they (South Carolina) had some good-looking personnel as well. Those guys are playing really hard and fundamentally sound up front for South Carolina, they had some good-looking guys up there that are playing good. Definitely, we have to play better.”
