Kentucky Football: Mark Stoops Makes Promise To Fans

Kentucky football head coach Mark Stoops made a promise to the loyal Wildcats fans in Lexington and around the country.

Kentucky football will have an opportunity to temporarily silence its critics on Saturday, September 17. Skepticism will likely remain, but a victory would at least calm the feverish anger and impatience.

Head coach Mark Stoops knows exactly what’s on the line for the Wildcats against the New Mexico State Aggies.

Kentucky enters the game against New Mexico State at 0-2 with a pair of demoralizing losses already in the books. Kentucky blew a 25-point lead in Week 1 and was nearly the victim of a shutout in Week 2.

According to Jon Hale of The Courier-Journal, coach Stoops promises to lead a more impassioned team on Saturday.

“Our team will play with that passion and that energy that our fan base wants to see,” Stoops said. “We will do that. I promise you that this team has some character.

“We played very good football the last time we were here for a half and we’re going to do that for 60 minutes. That I guarantee: That this team will play hard and will play fundamental football. I believe in these players and I hope the fans do as well. It’s a long season and we will get better in certain phases. There’s no doubt about that.”

Merely playing four full quarters would be an upgrade over what Kentucky has done through two games.

New Mexico State is coming off of a 3-9 season, but it’s already won a game in 2016. Senior quarterback Tyler Rogers and senior running back Xavier Hall have experience, if nothing else.

Having established that, there would be no excuse for Kentucky todrop this game to an opponent like New Mexico State.

Kentucky’s secondary should achieve redemption against Rogers, who threw 23 interceptions in 2014 and was 17-of-41 in Week 1 against UTEP. Sophomore quarterback Drew Barker should help the offense redeem itself, as well.

As for the running game, both New Mexico and UTEP ran for upwards of 200 yards against New Mexico State.

Kentucky should win this game. If not because it’s the favored team, then because it needs to.