By Keith Taylor
Special to NKyTribune
After breaking down and analyzing film, Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops still wasn’t happy with his team’s performance following a 14-9 loss to Florida last weekend.
“I was disappointed in the Florida game and the outcome,” Stoops said Monday. “I felt like our team played exceptionally hard, but didn’t make enough plays to win the game.”
Stoops particularly wasn’t happy with the team’s offense, which settled for three field goals and missed several opportunities to score touchdowns once inside the red zone. A dropped pass in the end zone and a first-quarter tipped interception by quarterback Patrick Towles led to Florida’s first score that affected momentum for the remainder of the contest.
The loss had many calling for a position change at quarterback, while others cited a meltdown on the offensive line, resulting in six sacks by the Gators’ “disruptive” defensive front. Stoops said the team’s letdown on the line of scrimmage was the result of poor technique and Towles’ indecisiveness in the pocket.
“All of us can do a better job, but give (Florida) credit, they were very disruptive, creating havoc for us up front,” Stoops said. “There are things we can do better and will do better.”
Stoops understood the finger-pointing that occurred by the team’s followers after the loss, but added the blame starts at the top.
“It’s easy for people to look for someone to blame when you lose a game and that’s right and fair, but that’s not been my style, if there’s one person or anything (to blame) it all starts and ends with me,” he said. “The fans are upset and want better play, so do I.”
Stoops said Towles’ main issue against the Gators came down to misfiring on passes to open receivers on short and deep route passes.
“There are certain passes that are there we can’t miss,” Stoops said. “(Towles) does some very good things. The frustrating thing for him, myself and all of us is when there are layups there, you can’t miss layups. That, he has to improve on and he knows that.”
Like the first two games, Stoops said the loss to the Gators was a learning experience for his team.
Missouri at Kentucky
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: Kentucky (2-1), Missouri (3-0)
TV/Radio: The SEC Network; 98.1 WBUL
“Every time we step on the field, there’s so much to learn from, and we will,” the Kentucky coach said. “Again, the good thing is, and I’m taking nothing from Florida because they had a lot to do with us not playing well, but we feel like we could play better. We’re in a one-possession game with an opportunity to win the game and didn’t get it done. There’s a lot to take from that that we will get better, and we will continue to improve on things. I like our team’s attitude. I like our focus.”
The Wildcats (2-1) will attempt to bounce back against Missouri Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium. It will be the Southeastern Conference opener for the Tigers (3-0) who have notched three straight victories over the Wildcats since going the league in 2012.
“I have no doubt in my mind that we’ll be anxious and excited to get this film watched and corrected, as painful as it will be at times, but then to get back on the practice field this afternoon and prepare for a team like Missouri is going to be another great opportunity for us, and we’ll be excited and ready to play.”
Stoops doesn’t think his team will have a letdown following the narrow loss to the Gators and is confident the Wildcats can get back on track.
“We need to do a better job and it’s going to start today,” Stoops said. “We’re going to work on that and getting some things corrected. I’m optimistic moving forward,” Stoops said. “We’ve got to get back and have a great week of practice and prepare for another great opportunity this week with Missouri.”
Keith Taylor is a columnist and senior sports reporter who covers UK sports for the NKyTribune and can be reached via twitter @keithtaylor21