Kentucky Wildcats Football: Mark Stoops’ Monday Transcript

Oct 11, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) celebrates their 38-23 victory over the Auburn Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

1. A lot of people have compared Dak to Tim Tebow.  Can you see that?

COACH STOOPS:  I could see that.  I could see people making that comparison.  I never played Tebow but just as a fan and watching him I could see people making it, just with Dan coaching them both.  The stress that he puts on you with that offense with a guy that could do both run and pass.  They’re both physical.  I could see people making that comparison.  Obviously that’s a great compliment to Dak, because, you know, Tebow won quite a few games.

1. Fourth year in a row that Mississippi State has had an open date before they played Kentucky.

COACH STOOPS:  Really?

1. Do you think that’s fair?

COACH STOOPS:  We better talk to somebody!  (Laughter.)  Well, it is what it is.  Nothing I can do about it.  It’s above my pay grade.

1. Mark, the college football spotlight is on the state of Mississippi, Ole Miss is No. 3 as well but with what you and Bobby (Petrino) are trying to do, do you think we could see this similar spotlight in  our state?

COACH STOOPS:  I don’t see why not.  I really don’t.  I feel like we’re both working extremely hard to build our programs, we both have great support, and they’ve been a very talented and good football team and we’re working our way toward that.

1. On the long runs, explosive runs that you talked about earlier, did they come from the same area, were they different people?

COACH STOOPS:  It did and I think some depth issues hurt us as well.  In fairness to a few of our players we got to get them out and get them spelled as well.  We’re certainly ‑‑ we’re not as fast later in the game as we were early.  That’s coaching.  We’ve got to develop guys and get some guys in there to help.  Give them credit.  If they’re going to run it 51 times with those dudes, they’re going to break some, too.  It’s not like going into the game that you didn’t think they were going to have any explosive runs.  I think I guess the point I was trying to make with the power run game if you take those explosive runs, it wasn’t that bad.  We had a good dose of some good people in there and we played more physical than we had been.

1. Do you expect Zach West back this week?

COACH STOOPS:  I do expect him back but I don’t know how at this point he will respond but I do expect him back this week.

1. What do you need to do to get the run game jump‑started a little bit and how important is that?

COACH STOOPS:  It’s important, just like last week.  You know, that’s where the run game is always important.  We all want explosive offense, and we need that and want to throw it and will throw it but you gotta have some balance.

Look at Mississippi State, what are they, 264 (yards per game) to the run and 265 to the pass.  Try to defend that.  Makes a difference.  It’s very important to be physical and to have balance.  It puts a lot of stress on teams.  We’ve done that well at times and against some teams it’s a little more difficult for us because we’re trying to physically get to where we want to be.  So to answer your question, it’s important to get the run game going, at least be able to have those aggravating runs, three, four, five then break one here and there.  We’ll continue to work on that.