There is a distinct feeling across the Kentucky soccer staff this week. The Cats face their first ranked opponent of the season when No. 22/23 Florida visits Kroger Field on Saturday (midday ET, ESPN). Kentucky isn’t shying away from the truth that it is a large recreation. Instead, the Cats are embracing it.
Offensive coordinator Liam Coen met the media following Tuesday’s observe. Coen mentioned that UK head coach Mark Stoops laid the groundwork for the week on Monday.
“I think, it started with the attitude on Monday in our team meeting,” Coen mentioned. “Coach Stoops set the tone and we came out and had a good Monday practice. I thought today was solid. Their tempo, their demeanor, the mentality out in practice today was mostly the right one.”
There’s a distinct really feel to observe this week and Coen likes how the Cats have gotten the week began as they put together for the Gators.
“I think our guys have started off on the right foot today and yesterday were a great start,” Coen mentioned. “But we have to match that intensity and play to the standard at which we played in the Vanderbilt game more consistently.”
Coen has been impressed with what he has seen from the Florida protection to this point this season.
“They fly around to the football,” Coen mentioned. “They’re extremely well coached. They have a demeanor, they have a mentality. They do a lot of good things.”
One of the issues that makes Florida’s protection so powerful is the motion the use within the entrance seven. Coen is aware of that, regardless of how a lot the Cats work on that in observe, it’s nonetheless exhausting to duplicate the Gators’ motion.
“You get so much time to practice it,” Coen mentioned. “That’s why we call it terrible Tuesday and wicked Wednesday because we’re giving them as much crap that we can throw at them. Maybe even overload. It’s frustrating on Tuesday, it’s a little bit more frustrating on Wednesday but we’re hoping that at this thing, you’re getting better at blocking movement.”
Coen does know that his staff must give attention to a number of the fundamentals this week to have success on Saturday.
“This week truly is all about demeanor, mentality, fundamentals and technique,” Coen mentioned.
One of the issues that Coen, Stoops and the Cats are relying on this weekend is the Big Blue Nation. Coen remembers what Kroger Field was like two years in the past when the Cats confronted the Gators.
“Two years ago, the Florida atmosphere was electric,” Coen mentioned. “The whole experience was electric. I fully expect it will be the same way.”
For now, the Cats are centered on themselves and ensuring they maintain their demeanor, mentality and fundamentals. That recipe has been a hit for the Cats up to now and could possibly be once more on Saturday.
