Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Next question

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Since Mark Stoops was hired as Kentucky’s coach in 2013, he didn’t just hear the question during the Florida game week.

Stoops heard it all the time, especially at SEC media days: When are the Wildcats going to beat the Gators?

“I always look forward to that annual question here,” Stoops said to the writer from Florida who asked him about the Gators at this year’s SEC media days. “I’m not blaming you.

“I’m going to get it a thousand times between now and that game.”

Stoops doesn’t have to worry about answering the question anymore.

Kentucky won 27-16 at Florida on Saturday to stop a 31-game losing streak against the Gators.

“We really played strong in all three phases,” Stoops said at his Monday news conference. “In particular, I thought we were very physical up front. Both the offensive line and the defensive line.”

The Wildcats hadn’t beaten the Gators since a 10-3 victory on Nov. 15, 1986.

“It was a victory that was a long time coming for our fans and for our players,” Stoops said. “It was a lot of fun, and I appreciate their effort.”

The new question for Stoops and the Wildcats: What do they do now that they’ve beaten Florida?

“There’s so much more that this team can do,” Stoops said. “We can play better than we did. That’s our goal.”

Kentucky faces Murray State at home before resuming SEC play against No. 16 Mississipp­i State on Sept. 22.

“I really love this group and the way they handle things,” Stoops said of avoiding a letdown. “As always, no matter if we are playing Florida or Murray, it’s about us and they way we prepare and the way we play. That’s what we are looking for this week.”

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