Mark Stoops’ controversial actions overshadow Shane Beamer’s in the victory. The South Carolina Gamecocks have had some success against the Kentucky Wildcats during Shane Beamer’s time as head coach. Under Beamer, the Gamecocks hold a 2-1 record against Mark Stoops’ Wildcats, including a win on the road in Lexington. On Monday, Coach Stoops addressed the media to discuss his team’s SEC opener against South Carolina this Saturday.
Despite South Carolina’s recent success under Beamer, Kentucky has had the upper hand in their matchups over the last decade, winning 7 of the last 10 games. These games have generally been competitive. Mark Stoops reflected on his experience with the rivalry.
“South Carolina’s a team that we always seem to have good games with,” Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops said about the upcoming matchup. “Through my many years here, it’s always been a very good game, always evenly matched. We’re looking forward to that challenge.”
Both Kentucky and South Carolina are in similar transitional phases offensively this season. Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff and LaNorris Sellers might make their first career starts, and both offenses have significant areas for improvement as they head into week two.
“He’s a dual-threat guy. He’s big, strong, and can throw the ball down the field with real power. You see the arm talent. A very good football player who’s going to get better with every snap he takes. Every game, every rep, he’ll improve,” Coach Stoops said about South Carolina’s young QB.
South Carolina’s edge rushers were dominant, accounting for six tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, and four sacks, with all the sacks coming from veteran Kyle Kennard and star freshman Dylan Stewart. Stoops discussed the impact of these two pass rushers.
“They have a really good combination with 5 (Dylan Stewart) and 6 (Kyle Kennard). You can’t miss them out there. One’s a very mature, older player who’s an impact player in Kennard, and then there’s Dylan Stewart, a five-star freshman, big-time player, very disruptive. Those guys are just very good players,” Coach Stoops commented on the Gamecocks’ pass rush duo.
With the Gamecocks and Wildcats set to kick off their SEC schedules, if recent history is any indication, Saturday afternoon’s game should be another exciting matchup.
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