Mark Stoops talks Kentucky Wildcats Football

Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Q. (Question about Bud Dupree being listed with the linebackers.)

COACH STOOPS: It varies. We just listed it that way this year. Depends on the personnel they start with.

Q. (Question regarding Bud being listed with the linebackers because the staff wanted to get Jason Hatcher on the field.)

COACH STOOPS: That’s going to be a big part of it. We wanted to get Jason on the field a year ago. He went through some good growing pains. He’s getting better. He’s a good football player. That is part of it, to get him on the field.

Q. A lot of new kids this year, just like last year. You have a lot of leadership. Easier to get things down than it was a year ago?

COACH STOOPS: Definitely. Always more comfortable year two with implementing the offense and defense. We went through a transition last year in‑season, as you know, going some more three down. It was good to have a whole off‑season, see what we did well. Players are more comfortable. Coaches are. I feel good about that.

Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Q. Will Demarco Robinson play this week?

COACH STOOPS: He will. Demarco is in good standing. He paid his price. He was suspended the last two games of last season. He met the obligations he needed to. He’s back in good standing and will be back in game one. There will be one other person, Rashad Cunningham will have to sit one game, as well.

Q. Do you do anything to get the young guys ready for the bright lights?

COACH STOOPS: Yeah, I think they just need to go through it. We put them in pressure situations all through camp. We just got to throw them out there and see what they can do.
I expect them to go out and play well. Some of the wide receivers will be forced into action. I want to say we have four redshirt freshmen that will play on the O‑line, four true freshmen will play at wide receiver.

Q. (Question regarding Alex Montgomery.)

COACH STOOPS: Alex is out. He’s injured. He’ll be out for some time.