With a loaded 2014 class, Coach K dabbles in hypocrisy complaining about 2013 freshmen

Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Dyshawn Mobley has been fighting to get on the field all year and has been a special teams standout. With his big run versus Georgia and the suspension of Raymond Sanders, it appears that we will see plenty more Mobley against the Vols. It’s just proof that hard work pays off.

"When the 5-foot-11, 209-pound sophomore learned he was not in the top three on the Cats’ depth chart at running back, Mobley tried to find other ways to get on the field. He spent time getting to know special teams coach Bradley Dale Peveto. “I just wanted to get on the field and help my team any way possible,” Mobley explained. But a funny thing happened to Mobley this season as he made big play after big play on special teams: It helped him start making plays for the offense, too. With still one game to play against Tennessee on Saturday, Mobley has 13 tackles and a recovered fumble. “A lot of times I’ve seen a guy who has so much success on special teams and all of the sudden he gets a lot of confidence and it carries over into the offensive and defensive sides as well,” Peveto said. “It’s really a confidence builder for a lot of kids, it’s a chance to make their mark, get noticed.” Big hits all season definitely caught the eye of head coach Mark Stoops, who recently quipped that he told offensive coordinator Neal Brown that he was stealing the running back and putting him on defense if he didn’t start getting a few more carries."

Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s face it. The Georgia game was rough, but it looks like Mark Stoops and company are taking a page from John Calipari and are ready to bounce back.

"“We’ve had some good meetings and a good practice yesterday,” Stoops said. “Very good practice today and, yeah, I think we’re bouncing back fine.” With winter weather on the way, UK practiced indoors on Tuesday. Quarterbacks Jalen Whitlow and Maxwell Smith each participated, though Stoops didn’t give any insight into who will start Saturday’s game. Whoever lines up at quarterback, this weekend will serve as Stoops’ introduction to UK-Tennessee. Two days into game week, it feels like a rivalry to him. “I know it’s very important to us and I’m sure they feel the same way,” Stoops said. This will be the final season Kentucky and Tennessee play the week of Thanksgiving with UK-U of L moving to the last game of the regular season in 2014. On Tuesday, Stoops detailed the team’s plans for the holiday. UK will hold regular Wednesday and Thursday practices, but the Cats will spend extra time together as well. “We’re gonna practice and then we’re gonna have a dinner together (on Thanksgiving Day),” Stoops said. “And because they’re out of the dorms and out of school and all that, tomorrow after practice, each position coach will take them to their homes for dinner as well. So they’ll have dinner with their position coaches on Wednesday night. Thursday after practice we’ll have a team Thanksgiving dinner.”"