By Keith Taylor
Special to NKyTribune
Close games haven’t always been in Kentucky’s favor. Things have taken a turn this season.
The Wildcats, who lost three games by a combined margin of 20 points last year, have been on the other side of the scoreboard in the first four games of the season. Kentucky’s three wins, two in the Southeastern Conference, have been by 19 points combined. The lone setback was a five-point loss to Florida two weeks ago.
“That’s a credit to a lot of factors,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said Monday. “First and foremost, we’re growing as a program and we’re finding ways to win.”
Overcoming adversity and building on wins, either big or small, helps create a winning culture within a program. Based on what has transpired in the first month of the season, Kentucky is making steps toward building a lasting and winning foundation.
Kentucky trailed Missouri 10-7 before scoring two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to defeat the Tigers 21-13, ending a string of 18 consecutive losses to teams ranked in the Top 25.
“We did what we had to do to win the game,” Stoops said. “That was one of our more complete efforts in some time. I am pleased and hopefully we can build on that.”
Stoops likes the way the team has shown “the ability to overcome negative things that happen in the game” to go along with “adversity that hits you in every game.”
“We’re deeper and a better football team,” Stoops said. “As you get better and become a better team, you win more games. We can’t talk our way through it, we can’t worry about it, it’s not about our opponents, it’s how we prepare and fundamentally get better each week.”
The team’s improved depth has been evident, especially in last week’s win over the Tigers. Cory Johnson filled in for injured teammate Reggie Meant at defensive tackle and had a career-high outing. Johnson collected a career-high 11 tackles and was named Southeastern Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week Monday.
“He has come a long way and he has some ability, he is very active and disruptive inside,” Stoops said. “He comes in and produces and has a heck of a game. That is what you take from a game like that and there are many examples of our guys stepping up and doing that.
Eastern Kentucky
at Kentucky
When: Saturday,
7:30 p.m.
Records: Kentucky 3-1, EKU 2-1
TV/Radio: SEC Network; 98.1 WBUL
From a conference standpoint, the Wildcats (3-1) are one of only five teams in the league with two victories and ranked ahead of Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vanderbilt in the SEC East standings, another sign the program is turning the proverbial corner.
“I don’t really into all that, but shoot, we have our hands full trying to win games,” Stoops said. “They’re so important and valuable. I don’t care what the perception is East or West, all I want to do is get better and win some games.”
In addition to the mental factor, Stoops said the Wildcats have also shown an ability to appreciate the grind of an entire game, another strategic factor in winning close encounters.
“Our resolve has showed throughout the course of this year,” Stoops said. “We have not played perfect football by any stretch, but I believe we have showed great resolve all year and I think we can build on that. Our team has had a tough attitude and their approach is better and more consistent. Not everyone will tell them they are good and we will see if we have a good week or not. We just need to put our head down and develop.”
Notes
— Stoops wants no part of pregame chatter concerning an off-the-field incident that occurred between some players from both teams at a Richmond establishment last summer. Stoops plans to address the concerns as soon as the team returns to the practice field.
“We’ll talk about it, but it’s done with,” Stoops said. “We’ve got to move on.”
Stoops added he doesn’t want the issues from the incident to spill over to the playing field.
“We want a good clean, football game,” he said.
— Kentucky will honor Eastern Kentucky redshirt freshman defensive lineman Joseph “Joey” A. Kraemer, who was killed in an automobile accident last weekend in Richmond. Kraemer and Kentucky tight end Greg Hart were close friends.
“It’s sad for all of us,” Stoops said. “I feel for them and their program.”
Keith Taylor is a columnist and senior sports reporter who covers UK sports for the NKyTribune