POST-OPEN DATE, PRE-VANDERBILT
OCTOBER 7, 2024
MARK STOOPS NEWS CONFERENCE
POST-OPEN DATE, PRE-VANDERBILT
OCTOBER 7, 2024
Opening statement …
“It’s good to get back here after getting a couple days off, giving our players some time to heal up, get their minds right, get their bodies right, and also get some work done this past week.
“Coming into this press conference I don’t have to worry about selling Vanderbilt anymore and telling you how good they are, how good Clark Lea has done. I have a lot of respect for Clark and what he has done and been building for some time. Of course, they beat us not long ago (2022) so I know what he’s capable of and what type of quality person and coach he is and the job that he’s doing at Vanderbilt. Congratulations to them, to see some of that hard work paying off, getting such a big victory this past week.
“For us, regardless of what happens to our opponents, it’s always about us and our preparation and what we try to do. I felt like last week was very productive, just covering some of the things that I’ve mentioned, about getting some rest and recovery but also getting better as a football team. I feel like our team has obviously been progressing the past several weeks, and we need to continue to do that as we hit the middle part of our schedule here before another break. It’s unusual to have two byes during the season, but we do, so we’ll attack that middle part as best we can, starting with Vandy.
“Glad to be at home this week in a night game, so hope to have a tremendous environment here Saturday night. I think we, as I mentioned postgame, it was very good to get a big victory a week ago on the road, and hopefully our fans will be here in full effect this Saturday and our team will continue to play better and better. So, with that again I’ll open it up but I know I’m going to get it, Vanderbilt was very impressive this past week after their bye, and they played Missouri extremely well (prior to the bye). They could very easily be sitting here at 2-0 in conference against two top-10 opponents, so very good football team. Our team just needs to be up for the challenge, worry about ourselves, and prepare the right way.”
On what Jerry Kill brings to the Vanderbilt staff …
“Jerry Kill is probably a great addition to Clark Lea, and I think Clark has been doing a tremendous job for three years. He and I talk, not often, but early on and he expressed to me that he was trying to build things the way I did it here many years ago. You could see that happening. I think times are different now with the addition of the transfer portal, and so we are all adapting to that, and certainly he had some great additions starting with their quarterback (Diego Pavia). Amazing player, he really is. This past week I want to say he was 20 of 26 for 250 yards, he’s completing nearly 80% of his passes along with all the deception that they have in their offense. He’s also seeing things at a very, very high level and playing some very good football. Obviously, Clark got a great addition there with the QB, but Coach Kill is a guy that’s won at a lot of places, has tremendous experience, and I’m sure it’s a great sounding board for Clark, but I don’t know the inner operations of what’s going on there.”
On the Vanderbilt offensive deception and if it reminds you of anyone else …
“No, I’d say it’s a little bit unique in its own way, I really would. They’re using elements of plays that you see often, and then they have some plays that you don’t see as much. There’s always movement, probably 20% of their offense is out of unbalanced (formations), and with the unbalance, you’re getting shifts and motions. So, they do a tremendous job of keeping you off-balance a little bit, where they have plenty of plays to the formation and they have plenty coming back. They keep you on your toes.”
On availability of Maxwell Hairston …
“I’ll update that later in the week.”
On the potential return of Hardley Gilmore and will he be saved for a redshirt …
“If he’s good enough to play, if he’s going to help us, we’ll play him. We’ll see how that goes as well.”
On Vanderbilt scoring early on Missouri and Alabama and the importance of starting fast …
“I think two weeks ago we sat in here and I mentioned it was very similar, in that the offense of Ole Miss starts so fast because it’s so hard to replicate that tempo and their plays and their scripted plays. I think Vandy has done a great job, similar in that (they are) hard to defend. They have a lot of misdirection and a lot of eye candy in their offense, and they know what they’re doing. It’s not just throwing fluff out there, there’s a rhyme and a reason behind everything that they’re doing. And so, that takes a little bit of time to get adjusted. Now, for us, of course, it’s important to start fast. I think that’s a compliment to them, and it’s the challenge that we face.”
On Vanderbilt going 15 of 20 on third and fourth downs and the importance of winning those downs …
“I think it’s important as a team. With the way we are, methodical as well, with possessions and the way we drive on offense and the way they do it. Obviously, we’re both searching for explosive plays off of that, off of what we do we’re looking for explosive plays, but it definitely can be a short game, and that makes the margin for error shrink. So, it’s important for defenses to get off the field, of course. And points are going to be a premium, and obviously, in a game like this, turnovers are going to be hugely important, got to make sure we protect the football and try to create a turnover. It’s going to be hard for a quarterback that hasn’t thrown a pick all year, so he’s obviously playing at a very, very high level.”
On if anything stood out in the bye week regarding self-scouting …
“No, you have a pretty good feel of what’s happening and try to take a deep dive into it and try to fix areas we are falling short and continue to build on the areas we feel like you’re doing well. We try to anticipate if people are going to take away things that you’re doing well, what we can possibly do to expand on that a little bit.”
On the defense putting up some good numbers but if there a common denominator when giving up explosive plays…
“I think you can see we have played some pretty good teams, in this league and in others, in college football people are creative and get some one-on-ones and make some plays. It is a matter of you are making plays as well. I think that’s what is important, having that resolve and being able to bounce back if someone does create a big play.”
On trying to minimize a mobile quarterback …
“Diego Pavia is a very good quarterback. I would say he is a little bit unique to somebody we have seen in a bit of time. I think he is extremely good at ball-handling and makes very good decisions. He is good in rhythm and on time and he is very accurate. He is completing, I think it’s 80%, right in that range, and it’s not just short passes. He is very good with the ball in his hands, he is good at feeling pressure. When he escapes pressure he does a remarkable job of finding people down the field and hitting the open receivers. And that is a gift, he is a very good player and is very well coached. He is special in that regard.”
On the thought that the powerhouse teams would clean up in the transfer portal landscape but you see all the upsets in college football and players like Pavia, what they do …
“The landscape in our league is nothing new to us. I don’t think anybody wants to hear the ‘poor me’ about us coaches (laughter). I don’t think anyone is interested in that and we are not worried about that. We know how difficult it is in this league. It is ridiculous how hard it is. There are a lot of very good coaches in this league and a lot of very good. I guess nothing surprises us anymore.”
On the recent SEC record at home (2-9) and on the road (6-5) …
“I don’t know. You know, you could look at who we played, and how we played, and all that, so no, I don’t have a theory on it. We’ve played good at home and on the road, and we’ve played bad at home and on the road (laughter).”
On the Vanderbilt tight end productivity …
“Yeah, (Eli) Stowers, number nine, he’s a guy that, he’s a very good player. He’s very mobile, he does a lot of good things, not only in the pass game, but he’s critical to their offense and the efficiency that they have. With some of their counters and wraps, and the way he pulls, and will also insert, and just does a lot of things. Very good player, just a good complete player.”
On Brock Vandagriff’s progression…
“Like I mentioned with Brock earlier, he’s a guy that really doesn’t get rattled. He really likes to put his head down, and compete, and worry about himself, and his team, and want to improve. That’s what you like about him – his demeanor is very steady, and his work ethic, and his work habits are very steady as well.”
On Vandagriff bouncing back after South Carolina game …
“I think just from the things that I just said. His background, his father being a coach, the toughness that he has, the steadiness that he has in his life. He’s a steady person, and very stable and very conscientious in all areas of his life. So, his practice habits, and the fact that he doesn’t get frustrated, or rattled; I think I said that in the last press conference with him, but even through tough times he’s not one of those guys that’s going to huff and puff on the sideline, or poor me, or throw his helmet, or something like that. It’s just steady, it’s just how can we get better, how can I get better.”
Your team was on the right end of a big upset, was this past weekend another reminder of what can happen in this sport …
“We could talk until we’re blue in the face and they could see it. They see it on TV and I think they know that. It’s just a matter of getting our team ready, and I think frustration sets in with any of us, like with me as a coach, or a fan, you as media, or anything, it’s like how can you not get up for 12 straight games? You only have a guarantee of 12 and you got to love these opportunities. These guys go through a lot, and that’s no excuse, and there’s a lot of times where they may be up for it, we’re just not dialed in mentally on a play here or there. There’s critical moments in plays that you have to make, you have to make them at the right time and you got to put yourself in position. If you play poorly the entire game, then it’s not going to matter, because you’re not going to be in a position to come down to the wire. I think for us it’s about execution, excitement through the week to mentally prepare and be dialed in and fundamentally get better and I think we’ve been doing that, now I’d like to see a continuation of that leading into the middle part of our season.”
On balancing after a big win …
“It’s just preparation for us. The past several weeks we’ve all seen improvement. I didn’t really see anything totally different on the practice field or anything like that. It’s not like they’re out there trying to psych themselves up every day, they have a lot on their plate, but they have to handle their business and that’s the bottom line. Just embrace that process and embrace the challenge of the preparation and really mentally dial in in the early part of the week of what we’re trying to accomplish, what that game plan is, and really in the middle of the week during the hard work days, really hone in and try to be a better football player, and fundamentally play better, and then of course it ultimately leads to Saturday where we need to go show it, and go prove it, and go do it.”
On getting the young guys reps and if you saw some players take a step forward …
“I saw a big group … in general we have a group of young players that are good, that we got good snaps and good work, and we need to continue to do that.”
On the growth of the cornerbacks…
“I think just the confidence level, big picture, seeing things, anticipation, you know there’s a lot to it. I think they’re seeing things better, and when you see things better and start making a few plays, and having that resiliency that we all need, especially at that position, I think that’s really important.”
On how to coach seeing the game better…
“There’s a fine line because you tell somebody, you tell a player ‘this’ and then literally they’re going to do it, you know what I mean? For instance, when I talk about you’re watching the game, like that’s a bad thing sometimes, because you’re not really reading your keys, you’re just kind of watching the game over there because you’re not dialed in. But, there’s other times where you got to have big picture vision and then there’s certain times where you got to dial in exactly on your key and exactly what he’s doing, does that make sense? So, there’s a lot to it and it just comes with experience and coaching and making sure they’re understanding — like there’s times, if there’s two, three guys to your side, or into the boundary, you know watching all the switches, watching all the plays that can happen, that’s where you need to have some big vision, and then there’s other times you’re just dialed in to a certain key, is he blocking, is he releasing? As a secondary player, as a defense, it’s critically important to where our eyes are, this (week’s game) is a perfect example of that, we have to have great eye discipline, whatever our keys are, because they do a good job as I mentioned, they’ll stay frontside, and they’ll also come back, so you really got to be dialed in on what your assignment is.”
On evaluation of Eli Cox play…
“Eli has done a good job. He’s had his moments, maybe not perfect, but overall very good, very good control. He’s super bright, he takes charge of that offensive line, makes a lot of good decisions on his call, what he’s calling, what he’s seeing, with protections, and he is a tremendous leader.”
On Terhyon Nichols going in after a dislocated shoulder…
“He did, he went back in, and he had strength, and it went back in place and he went back in and played as long as he could. The bye week came at a good time and we’ll evaluate that and we’ll see how it goes this week.”
On Vanderbilt’s defense…
“Well, you know with Clark (Lea) taking over, you see a very well-coached defense, in particular can give you a lot of problems if you get in third and long situations. I think it’s really important for us to stay ahead of the chains, make sure we get into third and manageable. He’s very creative and can do some damage on third and long, but just very fundamentally sound as you would anticipate with him, and their team in general plays extremely hard. They had some adversity early in the year, and had a couple tough losses, but have responded and that’s what you expect from a good football team that’s very well coached. Clark has done that and they play really hard and very fundamentally sound.”
On special teams play …
“I feel like (it has been) very solid. The kicking game, kickoffs and field goals and extra points, very solid. There’s a time or two with protection that we have to challenge the guys and make sure we’re solid in there and not going to get exploited. I think our coaches do a tremendous job, Jay Boulware does a remarkable job. Our coverage units have been very good, it comes down to kicking. I think punting has been good, even the last game we had a deep kick but it really wasn’t to our liking with hang time. You give dangerous receivers the ball in their hands plus grass and it could lead to problems, whether it’s a kickoff or punts, we’ve seen that before. I think kicking is a big piece of it, but the special teams in general, Jay has done a remarkable job, extremely solid.”
On the expectation of a physical game Saturday …
“Without a doubt. You saw creativity in their offense, and you saw physicality, and obviously tremendous efficiency from their quarterback position. You put those things together and it’s hard to defend, no matter who they’re playing against. So, I think it’s important for us to match them physically but also be very sharp in our assignments and very disciplined in what we’re doing.”
On Chip Trayanum’s recovery …
“Without getting into the weeds on that, we had a setback in what he had originally, so we will see where that goes.”
On if the loss to Vanderbilt two years ago is a motivator …
“I get asked that question about every week as well, one way or another, whether we beat somebody or lost to somebody. It shouldn’t have any bearing on this (game). Our players should be motivated no matter what happened two years ago or what happened last year. We should be motivated to handle our business throughout the week, to put ourselves in a position to play well Saturday.”
On recruiting and developing players, with the example of the Vanderbilt quarterback, what lessons can be learned from him? …
“The first thing for him (Pavia) is, you just have to congratulate him on his perseverance and obviously the personal drive that he has and the competitive nature that he has and the perseverance that he has. He’s a very good football player and he’s proven that. And I think that we all would say that we like teams and you like players that have a chip on their shoulder and certainly he’s playing that way. You have to commend him for not only that, I mean he wants to win for his team. He wants to prove people wrong, of course, and he wants to play well for his team and I wouldn’t expect anything less from Clark Lea and a team like that. I have a lot of respect for him, I’ve seen it coming for years, and I’m not saying I saw that upset coming, I just saw the way Clark was building this program and how hard they play under any circumstance. When you get teams that are fundamentally sound, and they play extremely hard, they have an opportunity to win any game.”