A win is a win, but even Mark Stoops acknowledged that one wasn’t pretty. The Cats squandered a hot start against the Rockets with an error-ridden second quarter, which included a fumble by Willie Rodriguez after a big catch and a safety. Thankfully, the defense held strong for three quarters and Kentucky’s running game came […]
A win is a win, but even Mark Stoops acknowledged that one wasn’t pretty. The Cats squandered a hot start against the Rockets with an error-ridden second quarter, which included a fumble by Willie Rodriguez after a big catch and a safety. Thankfully, the defense held strong for three quarters and Kentucky’s running game came alive in the second half, highlighted by a 79-yard touchdown run by Dante Dowdell, allowing the Cats to come away with the 24-16 win.
“There are things that we did to shoot ourselves in the foot that we have to get corrected,” Stoops said in his postgame press conference. “But the good side of it is, is that we overcame those bad plays and won the football game and beat a very good team that’s getting [AP] Top 25 votes. So it’s not like they’re a bad team, and we got the victory.
“We all know we need to get better. We all know the competition is going to improve, but it’s one game, and it’s a step in the right direction, and we’ve got to go back to work in and hopefully get that improvement that we all like to see between week one and week two.”
Kentucky totaled 220 rushing yards but only 85 passing yards. In his first game as a Wildcat, Zach Calzada finished 10-23 for 85 yards, one interception, and one rushing touchdown. Five of those ten completions were to tight ends, which Stoops said was just how the game played out. As for Calzada, Stoops believes he will improve — although taking that safety was unacceptable.
“Zach’s got a hand the football [off],” Stoops said. “Bottom line, we had the edges protected. I think he got a little spooked, but we had it protected. You’ve just got to get some tough yards there.”
See everything Stoops said below. Lots to clean up before No. 21 Ole Miss comes to town next weekend.
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Category: General Sports
