Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops sang the praises of Clemson and head coach Dabo Swinney on Monday.

During a press conference, Stoops spoke highly of Swinney and the 22nd-ranked Tigers ahead of their Gator Bowl matchup against Stoops’ Wildcats at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 29 (12 p.m., ESPN).

“Obviously very excited about the bowl game, and such a quality opponent. It’s going to be a great game to play Clemson,” Stoops said. “First, have to recognize Coach Swinney, the job he’s done for so long – two national championships, eight ACC championships (since 2011), and the model of consistency. He’s done a remarkable job.

“Their team is very balanced this year. Over 400 yards a game offensively. Defensively, giving up less than 300. Once again, a typical Clemson team – very physical, very good, very much built like a lot of SEC schools as far as the strength that they have and the impact players that they have at every level. So, it’ll be a great game.”

After the Gator Bowl matchup was announced Sunday, Swinney congratulated Kentucky on its selection and season to this point while calling Stoops “one of the best coaches in the business” and saying “the job he’s done at Kentucky has been phenomenal to watch.”

Stoops, who has been the Wildcats’ head coach since 2013, said he doesn’t know Swinney “very well” but has “a lot of respect for him and what he’s done.”

“Wouldn’t say personally (know Swinney) that well, but can’t help but feel like you know him,” Stoops said. “He’s been on a big stage there for a long time. So, he’s done very well.”

Stoops hadn’t been able to take a deep dive into Clemson’s team at the time of his presser, but said he knew enough about the challenges the Tigers (8-4) will present for the Wildcats (7-5).

“I have had zero time to look at Clemson other than what you know about them, what you see from TV, what you know from the tradition, what you know Dabo’s done, the consistency that he’s had,” Stoops said. “I know they’ve won four games in a row. I know they’re very balanced offensively and they’re always big and strong and athletic on defense.”

“So, do you need to know much more than that right now?” he added, laughing.

This will be the 14th all-time game between Clemson and Kentucky dating to the programs’ first meeting as Southern Conference foes in 1925. Each of the last three meetings in the series have come in postseason play, with Clemson earning a 14-13 Peach Bowl win in 1993 and the teams splitting a pair of Music City Bowls in 2006 (a 28-20 Kentucky win) and 2009 (a 21-13 Clemson win).

Stoops was asked how much it would mean for his program to beat Clemson in the Gator Bowl, considering everything Swinney’s program has accomplished over the last decade-plus.

“I think it would be very important. I think honestly, before I knew who we were playing, I think it would be important to win any of it,” Stoops said. “You just feel a little better about the team and things in the offseason, just winning that last game. And bowl games are fun.

“I told our team prior to this last game – two games all year that I know of that we’re going to get handed a trophy or you’re not. So, the Governor’s Cup, at the end of that game (vs. Louisville), you’re either going to be presented a trophy or you’re going to walk into the locker room. Bowl game, same thing. Not such a good feeling walking right into that locker room. It’s a much better feeling to be presented with that trophy – no matter who we’re playing, but certainly a team with the reputation and the prestige of Clemson would mean something.”

–Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images 

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