Mark Stoops previews Georgia, gives update on Josh Paschal and injured Cats

Arguably the biggest game in Kentucky Football history is just two days away.

The No. 11 Kentucky Wildcats will play host to the No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs with the SEC East division title on the line.

A win for Kentucky would mean they would play in the SEC Championship for the first time in school history.

Before being asked about the upcoming game, Mark Stoops had to hint around commenting on four-star athlete Wandale Robinson’s major decision to join the Wildcats in 2019.

Stoops, who is not allowed to discuss the commitment until the Kentucky native Robinson officially signs, had to contain his excitement when talking to the media. But he did talk about the importance of recruiting in state.

“It always is,” Stoops said when asked about the importance of landing in-state talent.

“Like I’ve said many times, there’s always really good players in state, just not as many in some years. Obviously, it’s always important to us, so we’ll continue to work at it.”

As for the game Saturday, Stoops did break some interesting news.

Starting linebacker Jordan Jones has a broken hand. Like Kash Daniel, Jones is going to play with a club.

A joking Mark Stoops said of Jones and Daniel, “We’re going to have the Q-Tip brothers out there.”

Despite the pair both playing, Stoops did say both Chris Oats and DeAndre Square will see playing time.

“They’re always ready to go,” Stoops said about Oats and Square. “We have confidence in those guys. They’ve played a lot this year, and DeAndre and Chris will both need to play in this game.”

Another medical update Stoops gave regarded Joshua Paschal, who has yet to play this season as he has battled melanoma.

Despite hoping to have him this weekend, Stoops ruled the pass rusher out for Saturday.

“We were trying, we were hopeful he had been working toward getting some practice time, but he’s not ready.”

As for the kicking position earlier in the week, Stoops confirmed the plan to use freshman Chance Poore as the field goal kicker. Now, it is confirmed he will also kick extra points.

“Chance is going to do that as well,” Stoops said when asked who will take the extra point kicks.

Overall, Stoops seemed to be pleased with his teams week of practice. One player he gave a shout out to was his quarterback, Terry Wilson.

“I’ve seen Terry really confident. He’s really thrown the ball well this week.”

It will be quite the atmosphere in Kroger Field Saturday with a sold-out crowd hoping to clinch the SEC East.

“I expect it to be a fantastic atmosphere, there’s no doubt. It’s been like that many times since I’ve been here, and hopefully Saturday will take it to another level,” Stoops said.

The game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. Saturday on CBS. SEC Nation will be shot in front of William T. Young Library from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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