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00:00 Well, it's time to get back to work.
00:02 I was really proud of our football team this past Saturday.
00:07 I thought we came ready to play.
00:09 I thought, in my opinion, they're really, really talented football teams.
00:14 And found a way to just kind of play to the very end and come out on top.
00:19 So it was a huge win for our program.
00:21 And yes, we did celebrate after the opportunity to go play in the ACC
00:27 championship game, but as of now, that's over with.
00:31 And it's a one game season.
00:32 I think we all know what's coming up.
00:34 It's a rivalry game against a really good, talented opponent that's well coached.
00:40 That's won a lot of games against our program in the last four years.
00:45 So we've got to get back to work and really understand what this game means.
00:50 It means a lot to not only our team, but to our fan base, to our program.
00:55 And we've got to find a way to have a very good practice and
00:58 work really hard and try to come out the win.
01:00 It's an important game.
01:02 And we've got to put the work in and understand how difficult it's gonna be.
01:08 Because this team does have talent.
01:10 They played really good schedule.
01:12 They've got good size and good length and good athletes.
01:17 And we'll have to play well to win.
01:18 [BLANK_AUDIO]
01:28 >> Well, I haven't studied all the past four year games, so to speak.
01:46 But I've watched it from a fan, I think.
01:48 Kentucky's done a really good job of building their program.
01:52 They've been able to prove good talent.
01:54 They've been able to coach well.
01:56 They've always been really solid on defense,
01:58 had a great deal of respect of what they've been able to do on defense consistently.
02:02 This past year, they went back to their old offensive coordinator.
02:05 He's been able to provide a spark there as well.
02:09 And I think they're well coached.
02:11 So I just think that they came ready to play, and
02:15 they've won these last so many years.
02:17 And I think for our program, we gotta understand this is gonna be a very
02:21 talented football team that knows how to win football games.
02:26 It's competed against really good opponents all year long.
02:28 They're not gonna back down from us one bit.
02:32 They're gonna come in here wanting to win and put it to us, and
02:35 we're gonna have to respond.
02:36 So I just think that our team needs to understand that it's gonna take our best
02:40 performance and a really good week of practice.
02:42 And we can't think about anything else other than trying to fare with this game.
02:47 >> Jeff, can I take us through your history with this rivalry?
02:52 I know, obviously, you didn't get to play him.
02:55 It was the rivalry started right after you left.
02:57 But when you came on with both Petrino and
03:00 being an assistant to the rivalry for a couple years.
03:03 What it means to you personally,
03:06 as you know that helped build this stadium, this game here?
03:10 >> Well, I think rivalries are great to play in, even back to my high school days.
03:15 I understand the Trinity-Sandex rivalry and what that's all about.
03:19 It doesn't mean a lot to your school, but to the fan base and to the city.
03:24 And I think when it comes to in-state rivalries in college football and
03:28 basketball, they're a lot of fun.
03:31 It's fun for everybody to be a part of it.
03:33 Everybody wants to come to the game and watch it and
03:36 cheer on their team and try to have bragging rights.
03:38 And that's really one of the reasons you play sports is to provide entertainment,
03:43 excitement for the fans.
03:45 And to be able to, at some point, at least for a year, brag on your team and
03:49 being able to come through in a big rivalry game where fans know each other,
03:54 players know each other.
03:55 And there's just a whole lot of similarities within the whole mass of people.
04:01 So I just think that both programs have had some ups and downs.
04:07 I think for us, it's about trying to continue to win football games and
04:12 keep momentum, and we've got a very, very good opponent that we've got to go against.
04:20 But I know our fans are gonna be ready to go, and
04:23 they're gonna wanna win this game.
04:25 And I think our players can understand how much our fans wanna win this game.
04:28 And so we cannot have any letdown whatsoever.
04:32 This week, it has to be full speed ahead and 100% concentration on Kentucky.
04:38 >> Jeff, two questions for me.
04:40 One, you mentioned just now kind of watching it as a fan.
04:42 How much of, I guess, a mentality shift is that now to coaching it again?
04:46 And then second part is, obviously, Ray Davis has been big for them, and
04:51 you guys have been driven a lot by the run games.
04:53 How much will that factor into Saturday?
04:55 >> Well, I think that when you speak about the rivalry,
05:02 I didn't get to play in it, but I got to coach in a little bit.
05:04 And that's kinda when it started.
05:06 And even as a fan, the basketball rivalry is fun as well.
05:11 It's just a really big game that means a lot to this state.
05:15 And you wanna do your part to help your team win and be a part of that.
05:22 And this is a week across the country where there's a lot of
05:26 rivalries going on, but this is a really big one.
05:29 And we're excited to get a chance to play in it.
05:32 And we have plenty of work to do to get ready for it.
05:35 I think when it comes to Kentucky and their running game, that's their strength.
05:39 They have an outstanding running back.
05:41 They have an experienced quarterback.
05:42 They have a good play caller who's coached a lot of football.
05:46 And they wanna run the ball, control the clock, play great defense,
05:49 hit some play action off of it.
05:51 And if they can get that going, they're gonna win the football game.
05:53 So when you play those type of teams, you gotta be prepared for it.
05:57 You gotta try to take away what their strengths are.
05:59 You gotta do some things to make them do things that they're not as comfortable
06:03 with.
06:04 And it's important always to try to get a lead against teams like that.
06:09 And that's not always easy to do.
06:11 So we've gotta figure out a way to start fast,
06:15 know who their top play makers are.
06:18 With that said, they've got good receivers as well.
06:20 Three guys that all have about 40 catches and experienced quarterbacks.
06:24 So stopping them, we have to have a good plan.
06:28 And they're gonna be physical.
06:30 They're gonna wanna come at you.
06:33 And we have to be able to respond and try to take away that to a certain degree.
06:37 >> Jeff, you had a lot of success in rivalry games during your time at Purdue.
06:43 What do you think was the biggest piece behind your success so
06:46 far as a head coach in rivalry games?
06:48 >> Well, I can't speak for anyone else, but I know I take it seriously.
06:53 Rivalry games mean a whole lot to me.
06:56 Like I said, I've been a part of it.
06:57 I remember going back all the way to high school days and even to college.
07:02 And I understand that it's more about our team playing the other team.
07:07 It's about the entire city, community, and state, and fan bases.
07:10 You know, wanting to go out there and compete and hopefully your team wins.
07:17 So this can make a lot of people happy or it can make a lot of people sad.
07:22 And as a player, you don't wanna make your fans sad and make them mad.
07:28 So we've gotta try to get what they want.
07:30 And in order to do that, we have to understand first the challenge that's
07:33 ahead, which is a really good, talented football team.
07:36 And we have not been able to beat them here in the recent past.
07:43 And in order to do that, we're gonna have to play better and
07:47 play really good football.
07:48 And we found a way at Purdue to kind of win the Indiana game.
07:56 But it was always tight and it was always gonna go into the fourth quarter.
08:00 You just gotta hang in there and try to make less mistakes than the other team.
08:04 And find ways to create a few more big plays and hope that you come out on top.
08:08 But it definitely is a very,
08:11 very important game that we've gotta try to find a way to win.
08:15 >> Jeff, wanted to ask you about the kick-in situation.
08:17 Obviously, Brock has been having some issues lately.
08:20 One, how much do you work with a kicker when it seems like it becomes mental?
08:24 And have you made the change to Lopez, or is that still a decision to be made?
08:29 >> Well, Brock has done some really good things this year.
08:31 He's unfortunately just struggled a bit the last couple weeks.
08:35 I do think that he's gotta build his confidence back up.
08:38 He's done some good things in practice.
08:39 Sometimes you just overthink things.
08:42 And when it comes down to it, you've gotta, just like with a quarterback or
08:45 any position kicker or specialist, you've gotta prepare and
08:50 practice and work on the mechanical things that you need to.
08:53 But same time, when it comes to game time,
08:55 you gotta be able to block things out and just cut it loose.
08:57 I think right now he's thinking too much.
08:58 And I think he can get out of it.
09:02 It's good to have Nick come in and do a good job.
09:04 He's been kicking really good in practice.
09:05 That's why it's important to have depth at each position and have competition,
09:09 which they've had a good competition, just like at the punting position.
09:12 There was good competition that we've adjusted that slightly.
09:16 But I think all of those three guys will be available and up for this game.
09:21 And depending on the situation we have and how they practice,
09:23 we'll determine at the end of the week.
09:26 >> Jeff, when you got the job here,
09:27 Mark Stoops was asked a couple times about you.
09:29 And he said just how much he liked you.
09:31 What is your relationship with him?
09:33 >> Well, I like Coach Stoops.
09:37 I think he's a really good football coach.
09:40 He's a good person.
09:41 He's been able to build up the Kentucky brand and program.
09:45 He's a football guy, comes from a football family, so
09:47 I have a lot of respect for that.
09:49 And I think he wants to win.
09:51 He's surrounded himself with some good coaches on his staff.
09:54 He's been able to recruit good talent and he's done a good job.
09:59 So I have a great deal of respect for him.
10:00 And it's gonna take our best effort to win.
10:04 I think I understand that.
10:05 I hope our team understands that.
10:07 And I'm sure they're gonna come ready to play.
10:09 They have a lot to play for in this game as well.
10:13 And they're gonna wanna come in and knock us off in our home stadium.
10:17 And if we're not able to prepare the right way and respond,
10:21 it'll not be a good day for us.
10:22 So I think we have great respect for their program and their coaches and
10:26 their players.
10:26 And just like when you face another really good opponent,
10:30 you've gotta play well to win.
10:31 And I think we've shown that we have the ability to do that when we can.
10:35 We've had the ability to not do good things if we don't play well against
10:40 whoever we play.
10:40 So that's why it's important that the preparation is good, but
10:45 also the focus and execution on game day is even better.
10:49 >> Great, yeah?
10:52 >> The Titans had their best games of the season against Miami.
10:56 Was that something you saw you might be able to use for the game or
10:59 as the game developed?
11:00 And can you talk a little bit about them individually and
11:03 how they've improved since you've been here?
11:05 >> Well, that position's important in our offense.
11:07 And we're continuing to work through that and get guys experience.
11:12 We just happen to have a lot of guys this year that haven't played that position
11:17 a whole lot.
11:17 So it's not, when you come in and play a position,
11:22 quarterback, offensive center, tight end,
11:25 those are the hardest to learn right away.
11:29 I mean, it's just a lot on your plate.
11:30 There's a lot of things you gotta know and understand.
11:34 Tight end is a tough position, gotta be able to block,
11:36 you gotta be able to know line calls and line movements and who you're going to.
11:40 And the technique you use, gotta be able to get open on routes,
11:42 you gotta understand route adjustments.
11:44 You gotta be physical, you gotta be able to run off the field as well,
11:46 catch the ball.
11:48 So I think we've continued to work that position.
11:50 They've done a really good job working in practice.
11:52 It's gonna be important that we continue to utilize that.
11:54 When you face Miami, they had good corners, they had good size,
11:58 they wanted to guard us tight.
11:59 You gotta be able to work middle of the field.
12:01 And the more we can work middle of the field,
12:04 the more things will open up on the outside.
12:06 So I think Josh Lipston has done some good things,
12:11 he understands what we're doing.
12:13 Nate Karisky has some potential, he's just young, so
12:18 he's continuing to develop and had a really good day.
12:20 Joey Gatewood is athletic, he just hasn't played tight end network until he got here.
12:25 But we need to figure out ways to make sure he gets in there and
12:28 gets the ball and utilize him.
12:29 But playing balls inside the hashes, the big physical guys is important to us.
12:36 And we gotta make sure that we continue to mold that and
12:40 use that because it will help us when we're playing really good football teams.
12:43 >> A couple things on Kentucky.
12:46 First of all, when you're watching the tape,
12:48 Deion Walker, does he jump off the tape?
12:50 He's pretty impressive.
12:51 >> Well, he's basically like having two guys out there, he's that big.
12:54 >> [LAUGH] >> He's pretty big and
12:55 he's pretty athletic as well.
12:57 >> And then Leary, did you ever in the recruiting process as he was transferring,
13:01 did you all have contact with him?
13:03 >> Well, we look into all options.
13:05 I know Devin was coming off of, I think, a shoulder surgery or
13:09 some type of surgery, his pec maybe.
13:13 But he was talented, he put up some good numbers at NC State and
13:17 he played some good football.
13:20 So we knew when he went there,
13:22 they were gonna have a really good option at that position.
13:24 And I think anytime you can provide experience of quarterback,
13:27 it helps your offense.
13:29 That offense is built around the running game and play action.
13:31 They need a quarterback who can manage it and make throws when he has to.
13:34 So I think he's perfect for what they're doing.
13:36 But no, their defense line is big.
13:40 They have legitimate size, three defensive tackles that are 320 plus.
13:44 They have good size at the position.
13:48 They've been really strong on defense the last four or six years.
13:52 And as they get their offense going, if they can get both going,
13:56 then they're dangerous.
13:57 So we've gotta figure out ways to score enough points,
14:01 put them behind the eight ball a little bit, make them throw a little more than
14:04 they want.
14:05 But they're a good football team, they're battle tested,
14:08 they've played good competition all year long.
14:10 So they're not gonna be hesitant coming in here and trying to beat us.
14:14 [BLANK_AUDIO]
14:18 >> With Isaac, where he is now, how does that compare to when he first came in and
14:24 what your expectations of him were in a running game,
14:28 the explosive now maybe as opposed to the power earlier?
14:32 Is he doing pretty much what you expect or
14:34 has he just found something different since he's been in your system?
14:37 >> Well, I think Isaac has really done a great job for us.
14:40 He came in as a transfer.
14:42 He's got good size, he's got good speed.
14:46 He's really got good hands.
14:47 We felt like adding him to the running back position would help us.
14:53 Jorwar, Maurice are really good players as well.
14:58 But he gives us something different.
14:59 He can run downhill, he's got physicality, he's got size.
15:01 And Jorwar is a little different.
15:06 He can give him space and give him some opening.
15:07 He can shake and bake you and then he can go the distance.
15:10 Isaac's gonna run downhill hard, lower his pads.
15:12 And if he does get open space, he can run as well.
15:16 So he's been very valuable.
15:17 He's been a great teammate.
15:18 Probably wouldn't get the ball as much early on as maybe he would like.
15:21 But he hung in there and practiced and worked hard.
15:24 He had a couple little injuries here and there and he's done a really good job.
15:27 He's been able to stay healthy for the most part.
15:30 But he's talented and he's a great addition to that room.
15:34 And we gotta continue to utilize him because against really good defensive
15:37 fronts and linebackers, to have a physical running back is very important to us.
15:42 So he'll be a big part of our offense moving forward.
15:45 >> Jeff, kinda sticking with the running game just for Kentucky.
15:48 Ray Davis, where's he stacked up with some of the running backs that you guys
15:51 have already competed against this year and what makes him so dangerous?
15:55 >> Well, I thought we faced a good running back this past weekend.
15:57 I know he's a true freshman, but man, he was really good at Miami.
16:00 And he was talented and we had a hard time tackling him.
16:03 So we're gonna have our hands full.
16:05 This running game is good.
16:07 They've gone against great defensive fronts already this year in Georgia and
16:11 Alabama and even other teams.
16:13 And they're gonna try to run the ball right at us.
16:15 Ran for, I don't know, 300, 400 yards against Florida.
16:18 I mean, these guys know how to run the ball.
16:20 Utilize their tight end, utilize their offensive line and play action off of it.
16:24 So we gotta have a good plan.
16:25 We've had some good games to this point against some of that, but
16:31 this will be a talented team at that position.
16:34 I did not think it was our best game defensively last week by any means.
16:38 They were able to get some big plays, they were able to run the ball at us.
16:41 So we're gonna have to improve and tweak some things and make some adjustments
16:44 because we have to be able to contain this running back,
16:48 because he's very talented and very strong.
16:49 >> Jeff, you've been a fan of this program, of this school.
16:55 Can you appreciate the fact, I mean, you guys are 10 and 1,
16:57 you're gonna play in the ACC championship game.
16:59 But there are some fans who, if you don't win this game,
17:02 they're still not gonna be happy.
17:03 >> [LAUGH] >> Well, I understand that.
17:06 And that's why after we let the last win sink in,
17:10 we had to explain to our team yesterday in a lot of different ways that that needs
17:15 to be erased for a full week, and the full focus needs to be on this game.
17:19 Because in my opinion, this is the most important game of the rest of the season.
17:25 So we can talk about how we won, this is the most important game.
17:27 And our guys need to understand that preparing and
17:30 trying to win this game needs to be the complete focus.
17:33 And if we wanna make our fans happy and
17:39 give them a good Thanksgiving, we've gotta go win the game.
17:41 So we've gotta really crank this thing up this week and
17:45 understand what we're going against.
17:46 And make sure that come Saturday we're able to execute at a high level.
17:51 Because this is an important game for everybody who's involved.
17:56 Our fans will be out here wanting to see us win a football game against
18:00 a good SEC opponent, and we're gonna have to play well to do it.
18:04 >> All right, good.