Consistency next task for Stoops’ Wildcats
HOOVER, Ala. — When Kentucky traveled to Florida last season and stunned the Gators 27-16, it ended a 31-year losing streak in that football series for the Wildcats.
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops endured five of those losses, and he had to answer questions about Florida’s dominance every year at SEC Media Days. He did not expect the topic Thursday, but Bob Holt of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette pointed out the Wildcats have not beaten the Gators two years in a row since 1976-77.
“Oh, come on now,” Stoops responded amid laughter. “I thought I didn’t have to answer that anymore. Every game’s important, especially each and every game in the East. We have Florida at home, and it’s an important game, but so are the other 11.”
The Wildcats used last September’s win in Gainesville as a springboard to a 10-3 season that concluded with a 27-24 topping of Penn State in the Citrus Bowl. A 5-3 record in Southeastern Conference play was Kentucky’s first winning league ledger since 1977.
Kentucky’s 24 victories the past three seasons are the most for the program in such a stretch since Bear Bryant won 28 games from 1949 to ’51.
“We want to continue to do the good things we’re doing and continue to build on the principles, practices and systems that we’ve done to get us to this point,” Stoops said. “We’re not interested in just having one good team or one good year. We’re interested in building a program, and that’s what we’re doing.”
Kentucky junior quarterback Terry Wilson will wear jersey No. 22 in the opener against Toledo as a tribute to former Wildcats quarterback Jared Lorenzen, who died this month after dealing with multiple health problems. Lorenzen was only 38. “That was a tough loss for all of us,” Stoops said. “Jared was a remarkable man. I didn’t know him well personally, but he was beloved throughout our community and the Big Blue Nation. He was a person and a father, and that was a big loss to us.
“Terry called or texted me right away and asked me what I thought about that, and my immediate response was that it would be a great idea to honor him, to recognize him and to wear his number in the opener. I’m all for that.”
Vanderbilt enters this season having won three straight games over rival Tennessee by double digits. The Commodores and Volunteers met last November as 5-6 teams with bowl eligibility on the line, and Vandy cruised to a 38-13 triumph.
What is the significance of three straight against the Vols?
“It means that Vandy is in contention to be a big-time player,” Commodores senior receiver Kalija Lipscomb said. “Every year, we get picked to finish last. I’m not going to throw any salt on those guys in Knoxville, because they wake up and practice and go to school just like we do, but I think three years and trying to make it four shows that we’re right there.
“Every year we’re picked to finish last, and since I’ve been here, we haven’t finished last.”
Honoring Lorenzen
Three straight
Harris update
Tide haul grows
Lipscomb led the league last season with 87 receptions, and he is quite familiar in practice with Commodores safety Brendon Harris, the 6-foot-1, 208pound redshirt freshman from Baylor School. Harris was one of 12 true freshmen to play for Vanderbilt last season, but he appeared in just four games, thus protecting his redshirt.
“He’s big-time, man,” Lipscomb said. “He’s a hard worker. I worked with him a little bit over the winter pushing sleds and stuff, and he’s a big, athletic dude. I’m looking forward to watching him make some plays this fall.”
Alabama has added a pair of four-star commitments to its 2020 signing class, receiving nonbinding pledges from defensive tackle Timothy Smith (6-4, 340) of Sebastian, Florida, and athlete Kristian Story (6-1, 210) of Lanett, Alabama.