By Keith Taylor
Special to NKyTribune
Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops doesn’t want his team to get caught up in the heat of the moment in the regular-season finale against instate rival Louisville.
“We’ve just got to focus on playing football,” Stoops said.
A year ago, players from both teams, along with Louisville coach Bobby Petrino and Daniel Berezowitz, Kentucky’s director of recruiting operations, became involved in an altercation on the field as tempers flared prior to kickoff.
Stoops plans to address his team about last year’s incident this week as the Wildcats prepare for Saturday’s regular-season finale.
“We need to worry about playing football and I will talk to the team about (last year’s altercation),” Stoops said. “It’s about execution (on the field). Our team will be motivated to play and so will theirs. I think it’s about controlling those emotions and executing at a higher level. That’s what we’ve been concentrating on.”
The stakes are high for the Wildcats (5-6) who are seeking to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2010 with a win over the Cardinals. For the second straight season, the two teams are playing in the last regular-season game of the year as opposed to first half of the year.
“It’s an important game,” Stoops said. “With this being the last game of the year as opposed to the first, it’s a little different. We have a lot riding on it. Not only in state, with recruiting and things like that but more importantly to build our program and get the sixth victory. We put ourselves in this position with a few miscues late in the season. It is what it is. We need to go out and play well in this game.”
Although a disappointing setback, Stoops said a 21-17 loss at Vanderbilt earlier this month set the stage for a dominating performance against the 49ers last weekend.
“There was a lot to build on from Vandy,” Stoops said. “We just needed to clean it up. We did some very good things at Vandy and played a complete football game this past week and we just need to continue to build on that and get ready for a very good Louisville team and a great rivalry game.”
Drew Barker, who threw for 129 yards in Kentucky’s 58-10 win over Charlotte last weekend, is scheduled to make his second consecutive collegiate start against the Cardinals.
“I thought he did a good job,” Stoops said. “He looked comfortable back there (and) he was poised. He needs more reps, but with his first start, I was pleased with what I saw.”
The Cardinals (6-5) have won the past four games in the series, including a 44-40 triumph last year. Louisville had a four-game winning streak snapped in a 45-34 setback at Pittsburgh.
“We just need to play our best football game at the end of the year,” Stoops said. “It’s going to be a big game for all of us and it’s going to be important for us to go out and play well and build on the things we’ve been doing well the past couple of weeks.”
Edwards honored
Kentucky safety Mike Edwards was named SEC Freshman of the Week Monday.
Edwards had his first career interception and touchdown in the team’s win over Charlotte last week in his fourth straight start. In his first season with the Wildcats, Edwards has collected 33 tackles, two for a loss, broken up two passes and has forced a fumble.
“I’ve been pleased with the way he’s played,” Stoops said. “He’s played really well the past couple of weeks.”
Game tracker: Louisville at Kentucky, noon, Saturday. TV/Radio: SEC Network, 98.1 FM WBUL.
Keith Taylor is a columnist and senior sports writer who covers University of Kentucky athletics for KyForward.com