Mark Stoops, 'Dallas Turner Can Wreck a Game Very Quickly'

The SEC Coaches each spend time with the media on Wednesdays. No. 8 Alabama is heading to Lexington for the first time since 2013 and is facing the Wildcats for the first time since 2020.

Here's a full transcript of what the 11-year veteran Mark Stoops had to say about playing Alabama.

"Sure. Really proud of our team, getting the victory this past week on the road at Mississippi State, a place we hadn't played very good. A game we really needed, we had - coming off three losses in a row so really needed that win. Felt like we had been playing better in certain areas the past couple of weeks and feel the same now. It's been a solid week of practice so far. Obviously, a tremendous challenge with having Alabama come in here a team that when I look at it is a typical Alabama team. Just extremely physical, great depth, playmakers at every level on both sides and very, very physical football team and we have to make sure we have great practices this week and really physical practices and really play at a high level. A great challenge, a lot respect for Coach Saban and what he's done for a long time and our team will be up for the challenge and looking forward to it."

Is Dallas Turner any different than other linebackers you've faced?

"Yeah, he's definitely a guy that can wreck a game, very quickly. He's a guy that you have to account for. We've got to be very smart with our protections. Quarterback's got to be smart with holding onto the football and making sure we're not holding onto it too long. He's a guy that can change it in a hurry. So yeah, you've got to be very conscientious of where he's at and try to have a great plan for him."

Do you see Alabama's secondary as a strength?

"Yeah, I think really special. You expect that. Seems like it's year-in and year-out with Bama, always having high picks. And even with the addition of Downs, the freshman just adds another level. I think their nickel is a fantastic player as well in Moore, and you know their corners can always cover. Just really a tremendous group."

Kentucky sophomore defensive lineman Khalil Saunders from Huntsville, Ala.?

"Yeah, he's coming along. He's getting better. He's a guy that has some ability, that has some quick twitch and some length. We need him, Khalil to continue to improve and he's getting better."

What's made the difference in the passing game the last few weeks?

"I think it's a combination of things. It always starts with protection. We've been protecting better. The receivers and the quarterbacks, they've been working hard. Just starting to see the results, just trying to be more detailed, making sure we're on the same page and just executing at a higher lever. I think part of it is we have a couple young wide outs that are really working hard to mature and get better and you're starting to see that growth on the field."

Roster management - How much are you starting that now?

"Yeah, you're right about that. Internally you work on you and talk about it and look at it all year. There's some things that are out of your hands, but you try to have the best fix on you can. You're correct. It's on our radar. It's something we look at. It's something we think about internally. We don't have any of those discussions with our players until it gets to be after the last game of the year. At least the schedule they have in place for us now allows us coaches to be on campus following our last game that's a change, I think last year's the first year, but that's a good thing to let us be here in-house and have meetings with our players and with our coaches and get a fix on our own roster before we start hitting the road and closing on guys for the December signing period."

Impresses you about Saban's success?

"We could talk about it at length. It's truly amazing what he's done and you have to give a lot of credit to him. I'm sure he'd be the first one to tell you that there's a lot of people who've sacrificed for a long time to help in that support but he is truly the best and has done it at a high level for a long time so just pretty remarkable what he's done. Myself, coming up through the ranks and watching him. He's always been good to my family and I just have a lot of respect for him."

Former Alabama Basketball Player Bryan Passink on The Joe Gaither Show

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