Mark Stoops’ Monday Pre-Louisville Cardinals transcript
By Paul Jordan
Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
- (Question regarding the play of the offensive line.)
COACH STOOPS: Yeah, I think we’re developing some depth inside. I think we’ve done some good things. Once again, I know it’s a broken record, but we’re not where we want to be. I think they’ve battled hard. They’re trying. We’re inexperienced at certain positions inside that we’re trying to gain some depth. I thought the tackles have played extremely hard. (Jordan) Swindle is a great leader and a great player for us. We know he’s made some mental mistakes. Again, it’s not for lack of effort with him, that’s for sure.
I thought Darrian’s (Miller) really done some good things and played through some injury, and really left it all on the field this year. He’s played really hard. I’m very proud of Darrian and the way he’s tried to battle and help this team.
- Through the first year, has Matt Elam progressed at the rate you would hope for?
COACH STOOPS: Yeah, he’s about where we thought he would be. He really is. He’s done some very good things and once again, he’s still a work in progress. But Matt’s going to be a very good football player. He’s got the right attitude. He works hard and he’s getting better and better.
- Is it just technique?
COACH STOOPS: Well, it’s technique and understanding the urgency that you have to play at this level. Just takes some time.
- What has this season brought out of you as a coach in terms of keeping the players motivated and focused? You had the 5‑1 start and now a losing streak. How have you been able to keep that even keel with the players?
COACH STOOPS: That part of it, you know, I’d say it’s not going to be hard, but I don’t know. It’s always a challenge. Anytime you go through a long season, we’re no different than anybody. Win or lose, it’s a challenge getting guys ready each week. I think you’re dealing with college kids that sometimes are very, very young and haven’t been through this thing before. I think it’s consistency in what we’re doing as a coaching staff, and what we’re teaching them and how we’re going about our business. We’ll keep on doing that and keep on pushing them, and keep on being consistent and the players will obviously keep on getting that message, and keep on getting better.
- (Question regarding Kentucky fans being vocal at the game on Saturday.)
COACH STOOPS: I think it would be very important. That doesn’t surprise me that they’d find their way into this stadium and see a lot of blue, and I look forward to seeing that on Saturday.
- (Question regarding youth of several teams nationally.)
COACH STOOPS: I really would have no idea. I’d be throwing a dart out there to speak on their behalf, so I don’t really know.
Of course, LSU, I know them because I’ve played them. I think if you ask them, they’d probably say that, but again, no coach wants to sit up here and make excuses. It is what it is. We all know we’re a better football team with experience. We all know the teams that are winning a whole bunch of games out there have some very good older guys on their team. That’s what we’re all striving to do, is have that experience, that leadership and that depth.
But it’s not always the case. There are cases where you could also look around the country, and I’m sure there are some freshmen making some big impacts on some top‑10 teams as well. It happens. When you’re counting on quite a few of them, it’s hard to count on a whole bunch of freshmen to go in and win a bunch of SEC football games.
- There is a chance the SEC could have 13 bowl teams. What’s that say about the conference?
COACH STOOPS: I think you’re starting to see that depth top to bottom that we all want. I think it’s pretty evident. It gets talked a lot about certainly in the preseason what the SEC (has done), with conferences and all that stuff. But I think it’s pretty evident that all 14 schools in this league are doing everything they can to build a quality football team. Obviously, it’s difficult because, once again, there is nobody really going backwards. Everybody’s going forward.
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