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Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 08-29-2014, 12:38 PM:

I'm sure they have some talented players but to beat the Cats with talent that has come into the UK program since the arrival of Stoops I don't see them beating the Cats.

While the overall talent at UT-Martin will not match that of Kentucky, there is at least one player on the Skyhawks that has Southeastern Conference-caliber talent.

Senior linebacker Tony Bell is one of 20 players nationally on the Preseason Buck Buchanan Award Watch List after earning multiple All-American honors a year ago. Bell had 80 tackles, an Ohio Valley Conference-best 15 tackles-for-loss and 10.5 sacks, last year and was named National Defensive Player of the Week twice during the season.

“They have a great defensive player, No. 40, the linebacker (Bell), an exceptional player. He’s a really good football player. He can play anywhere in the country. Really like the way he plays,” Stoops said.

“He’s a great linebacker, but he’s a great pass‑rusher as well. Like Bud (Dupree) in that area. Bud is an outside backer, obviously much bigger. But he’s like Bud in that he’s comfortable on his feet, got great instincts, he’s an extremely good pass‑rusher. He’s a mismatch for some people on the edge.”

UT-Martin was picked fifth in the OVC preseason poll and enters the ninth season under head coach Jason Simpson, who is now the longest tenured active coach in the league. Simpson has won 48 OVC games in his first eight years with the program — prior to his arrival UTM had managed just 37 total OVC wins in the previous 14 years (under five different head coaches).

Stoops said he does not know Simpson, but has been impressed by what he has seen. Last year the Skyhawks finished 7-5 with a two-quarterback system that featured now junior Jarod Neal and senior Dylan Favre. The duo combined for 2,610 passing yards and 18 touchdowns last season. They also have four returning offensive line starters, including senior Charles Sweeton who was a preseason All-OVC selection.

“UT-Martin is a good football team, well‑coached team. Four returning starters on the offensive line. We’ll have our hands full. We’re anxious to get out there and see how we can play,” Stoops said of Saturday’s season opener. “They’re very multiple on both sides of the ball, can do a lot of things. You got to be prepared for a lot, which is good for us to spend that time getting ready for a variety of offensive or defensive schemes.

“I think they’re the type of team, it’s a little unknown. They might get out there and try to pressure the heck out of us, or drop. They’ve shown both, where they’ve been conservative and drop eight guys into coverage a bunch, or they can blitz the house and come after you. I imagine we’ll see a bit of everything. It will be good for us to see how we prepare and respond to that.”

Stoops said both quarterbacks are good.

“Split time last year. They’re both good football players. So you could certainly see the talent there. Some of those throws and plays he (Favre) makes are fun to watch,” Stoops said.

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