Mark Stoops’ Monday Press Transcript

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

1. Offensively what do you have to do against Georgia?

COACH STOOPS:  Georgia is going to present a real problem to us because, first of all, they’re not going to give you anything.  They’re one of those aggressive defenses.  They’re very well‑coached.  They’re not going to give you anything easy.  So you’ve got to go earn your yards.  You have to win your one‑on‑ones.

You heard me talk about that last week.  It was evident in watching the tape.  It comes down to winning some matchups.  If you just watch them, take a couple examples, they need a third‑and‑five or something, they’re going to create space, they’re going to catch it and get it.  We get covered and there’s nowhere to throw the ball.

It’s going to be the same way this week.  They’re not going to give you anything.  There’s no magical little scheme or anything like that.  You got to win.  You got to block some people, get open, throw good footballs.

1. Anything on film that showed what was wrong with Patrick on Saturday?  Any common theme?

COACH STOOPS:  No common theme, just inconsistent.  Inconsistent with him.  Inconsistent with guys around him.

1. Re: shake‑ups on the depth chart, especially at wide receiver.  Is that indicative of what you’re saying?

COACH STOOPS:  We’re going to keep on pushing and keep on making guys accountable.  We’re all in this thing together.  We’re all here to try to get it, to improve and get better.  At some point guys just run out of opportunities.  You got to move on to the next guy.

1. (Question regarding if it will be a challenge for him to get his message through with some media/fans saying a different message.)

COACH STOOPS:  I need to do a better job.  They’re going to hear me today.  We need to train to put ourselves in a position to take these games.  It doesn’t matter what anybody in here thinks, what they’re hearing outside, all that.  It’s not going to just happen.  We play good football teams.  There’s nothing given to you.  You have to earn it.  You have to go get it.

We didn’t play with that mentality certainly on offense last week.  I mean, watch Missouri play football.  I like the way they play.  They play aggressive, they play tough.  Their defensive guys fly around.

1. (Question regarding if there is any benefit to playing at home Saturday.)

COACH STOOPS:  I don’t care where we play.  We need to do those things better, play with a better attitude.

1. How well do you know Jeremy Pruitt?  What are the characteristics of his defense?

COACH STOOPS:  I don’t know Jeremy personally that well.  I know a bunch of guys that obviously worked with him, worked with me.

Nothing but positive about him.  He’s done a terrific job.  Their defense is aggressive, very well‑coached.  I’ve always liked the way his secondary has played.  They have very good position on the football, change things up quite a bit.  Obviously he’s done a great job.