Kentucky Wildcats Football: Mark Stoops Transcript

Oct 11, 2014; Lexington, KY, USA; Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks offensive lineman Chase Regian (71) and Kentucky Wildcats defensive end Alvin Dupree (2) during the game at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated Louisiana-Monroe 48-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Q.  (Question regarding Bud Dupree earlier in the season not having the best of stat lines, but provided leadership.)

COACH STOOPS:  It’s a great example, because all the great players, they want to jump out right away and get all those statistics and everything.  Everybody talks about them off-season and in the preseason and all those things, and that’s where you can get in trouble.  And we had some circumstances where, not Bud, but certain people were trying to do too much, and it was hurting us.  And everybody’s bought in trying to do their part.

You have to be very unselfish to play D line, and I think we’re getting good D line play.  No matter what the recognition they’re getting, they’re playing very hard and fundamentally getting better and better and Bud is starting to get his statistics.  Z (Za’Darius Smith) is starting to get his stats but the bottom line is those guys want to help us win football games and obviously play good and improve their stock in the draft and things like that by just playing good football, and people recognize it.  And they’re just doing good things and they’re getting better and better.  And again, I think, you know, you need that type of unselfish play.  The recognition and the plays will come if you play good.

Q.  (Question regarding UK’s interceptions this season and players saying during the preseason it was frustration last year not to have very many interceptions.)

COACH STOOPS:  I think, as you’ve seen throughout the year, some of it has been great individual efforts.  Some of it has just been good team defense.  Some of it’s just been a fortunate break here and there.  And you know, the harder you work, the luckier you become.  I think our guys have really bought into that and we’re working hard to put ourselves in position, and you have to have great structure and great position on the football to make plays.

And I think you’ve seen a variety of things, like I just said, some individual effort and some just good position on the ball with team defense.

Q.  One of the open practices in preseason, we were watching the defensive backs. Seemed like they were breaking on the ball, taking chances, wanting to make plays, that’s what we didn’t see last year.  Is that from a confidence level of being in the system a second year?

COACH STOOPS:  I think it’s a combination of things.  I think our coaches have done a good job of working with them fundamentally getting better.  I think a big part of it is understanding.  You have to be mentally sharp to play this game, know where and how to take your chances, where your help is, just understanding the whole situation.

And so a big part of it is technique, and a big part of it is mental, just like a lot of things.