October 2003 WildcatZone.Com News Archive (10-31-03) Big Blue Thoughts with Mitch Barnhart Last Saturday's football comeback, canned food drive at Arkansas game, women's basketball season tickets      Football Razorback defense has been strong    While a lackluster offense kept the Arkansas Razorbacks winless in October, the defense stepped up, holding Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning to his lowest yardage since his freshman year.   Arkansas defense preparing for multiple Kentucky offense    Arkansas defensive coordinator Dave Wommack said Kentucky's offense is very difficult to figure out. That's because the Wildcats have a tendency to use a wide variety of formations and plenty of trickery to confuse opposing defenses.   Pressure is off UK's kick-return teams The players on the University of Kentucky kick-return teams said they didn't talk about Derek Abney's pursuit of the NCAA record for career touchdown returns, but they couldn't ignore it either. UK will use best offense    While it may have looked like Kentucky's offense only came to life last week when the Wildcats used more wide receivers to spread the defense out, UK coach Rich Brooks says not to be fooled into thinking that's what the Cats will do Saturday against Arkansas. Ortmayer speaks about Abney's return; Apology letter from SEC    Coach Ortmayer has seen a lot of football in his 32 years as coach, but he has never witnessed a play like Derek Abney's TD return.  Archer and the Cats continue preparation for Arkansas    Mike Archer knew what to expect when he walked into the Quarterback Club Thursday evening.  J-LO'S GROOVE COULD BE 'GRIDIRON SMASH'    On Halloween, we bring you the state of the Kentucky football season -- to the tune of The Monster Mash: (With apologies to singer/ songwriter Bobby "Boris" Pickett) Kentucky's top-10 scoring seasons since 1950, by points per game...Kentucky's top-10 scoring seasons since 1950, by points per game: Year Ppg Record 1. 1998 37.9 7-5 2. 1950 32.8 11-1 3. 2002 32.1 7-5 CATS' OFFENSE HIDES ITS NUMBERS Fifth-best offense since 1950 upstaged by its inconsistency    Some things just don't make a whole lot of sense. You sit and watch the UK offense struggle to run the ball. You watch them go three-and-out over and over again, particularly early in the game. Abney finally breaks through with record-tying kick return    Derek Abney didn't realize how much pressure he'd put on himself to return a kick for a touchdown this season until he actually did it.       Basketball UK playing for redemption    He strolled into the Southeastern Conference media day room with the composure of a coach that has won the ultimate prize.   Farmer has sights set on top agriculture post    He's got the right name, notoriety from years in the basketball spotlight and the backing of a beloved Kentuckian who had a nation cheering him on in a reality-TV program. Former Cat Winston Bennett Suspended As Kentucky State Head Coach    Kentucky State University has suspended head men's basketball coach Winston Bennett, the athletics office said Friday.  Tubby's punch led to Cats' win streak    By now the University of Kentucky basketball team's comeback annihilation of Vanderbilt last January has gained a prominent spot in Big Blue folk lore.   Cats left impression on SEC opponents    Not only did Kentucky impress its own fans last year, it also made a lasting impression on the top returning players in the Southeastern Conference. (10-30-03)      Football Kentucky Football Notebook    Junior wide receiver Tommy Cook and junior strong safety Mike Williams have been named game captains this week, joining permanent captains Vincent "Sweet Pea" Burns and Jared Lorenzen ... Craig Yeast to serve as honorary captain Eating blocks isn't enough for linemen    Block-eaters. That's the job description that Kentucky defensive coordinator Mike Archer has given his linemen. Tie up blocks so the linebackers can make plays.  Hogs limping into Lexington    Arkansas has fallen, and it doesn't have much time to get up. Arkansas Football Notebook    Senior tailback Cedric Cobbs, the Southeasetern Conference's leading rusher with 121.3 yards per game, practiced Wednesday and appears to be making substantial progress since straining his hamstring in the second quarter of a 33-28 loss to Florida two weeks ago. Getting More Offensive-    One particular series jumps to Arkansas coach Houston Nutt's mind as typical of the strange direction his offense has taken the past three weeks. Razorbacks Report    Arkansas quarterback Matt Jones spent much of Wednesday’s practice catching passes and seemingly throwing fewer passes.   Hogs’ game plan- It’s simple    Saving paper on the game plan could save Arkansas’ offense.   Game Preview From Arkansas    GAME NOTES: The Arkansas Razorbacks, who have fallen apart since a tremendous start to the season, will attempt to get back on track on Saturday night when they challenge the Kentucky Wildcats in an SEC clash from Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington. Arkansas won its first four games this season, including an impressive road victory over Texas, to climb into the top 10.       Basketball Smith's adjustments paid off for Kentucky    It's what Tubby Smith did and what he didn't say that may have saved Kentucky last year. Fitch feels no shame in being a momma's boy    On the court, he likes to portray a tough-guy image. Off the court, Gerald Fitch freely admits he's a momma's boy. Tipoff '04 - SEC Basketball Media Day - Kentucky    Visit the SEC Official site for video highlights and photos from yesterday's media days featuring UK.... SEC foes- UK women may soon be a force    Women's Southeastern Conference coaches are developing a real love-hate relationship with new Kentucky Coach Mickie DeMoss.  UK women get commitment from post player from Ohio    Another one of the nation's top girls basketball players has given her word to Kentucky.  MOTIVATED BY MARQUETTE   Considering it was a season of historic achievement, it's easy to forget that Kentucky's joyride in 2002-2003 ended in bitter defeat.  Cats to have SEC bull's-eye this season When it was suggested to Florida men's basketball coach Billy Donovan that the Southeastern Conference will be a two-horse race between his team and the University of Kentucky, he wasn't so sure. Kentucky Predicted to Win SEC Basketball Title    Gerald Fitch selected to preseason All-SEC Team Kentucky, Tennessee Predicted to Win SEC Basketball Titles    The Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Lady Vols are predicted to repeat as Southeastern Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Champions in a vote of media attending the 2003-04 SEC Basketball Media Day at the Sheraton Birmingham.    Kentucky received 21 of 40 votes to repeat as conference champions while Florida was on 18 ballots and Mississippi State received one vote.   Tubby called a role model    University of Kentucky men's basketball coach Tubby Smith spends most of his time figuring out ways to beat his foes, but he's also willing to lend a hand. Florida recruit looking forward to visit to UK    IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) point guard Ramel Bradley will make an official visit to Kentucky on Friday. Tubby toughens 'Cats    No matter what time Chuck Hayes crawls into bed, he still feels like he doesn't get enough sleep. UK plan to build gym underway    University of Kentucky trustees Wednesday unanimously authorized the school to begin seeking a contract for the design phase of a basketball practice facility next to Memorial Coliseum. 'Cats have work cut out for them    The imaginary bull's-eye that is affixed to the University of Kentucky men's basketball team just got bigger. (10-29-03)      Football Arkansas, Kentucky won't underestimate each other    Arkansas won't make one mistake that it made last year when it lost to Kentucky. Kentucky Football Notebook    Manager Travis Freeman one of 17 Nominees for FWAA/ESPN Courage Award ... Tickets available for Arkansas game ... Fans advised to "Park Before Dark" ... Bring canned food for God's Pantry; Win basketball tickets ... Commonwealth Stadium, Tim Couch Featured on Thursday's Edition of "SEC TV" U of L, UK fans: Don't unbuckle chinstraps    Today's advice is to ignore your instincts for another week. Keep your mouthpiece in. Hit the blocking sled a little longer. Maintain your tailgating. 1 suspended, 1 quits at UK    One University of Kentucky football player has quit the team, while another has been suspended for the Wildcats' game Saturday vs. Arkansas. SEC football goes south outside league    Southeastern Conference football has been hit as hard as an overvalued Internet stock. 'Rock' gets off the block    JOHNSON EARNS STARTING ROLE AT FULLBACK    "Rock." You couldn't ask for a more perfect name for a fullback. But unlike the professional wrestler who made the moniker a household name, Kentucky fullback Ronald "Rock" Johnson didn't have much going for him when he arrived at UK. UK rushing    Cats who have carried the ball this year: Player Att. Yards Avg. TD Shane Boyd 35 230 6.6 4 Alexis Bwenge 47 217 4.6 0 Arliss Beach 60 187 3.1 6       Basketball SEC Media Day Quotes    Men's basketball coach Tubby Smith, women's coach Mickie DeMoss, along with players Gerald Fitch, Chuck Hayes and Sara Potts traveled to Birmingham, Ala. on Wednesday for SEC Media Day. Read quotes from the event. Barbour tries to move past his mistake    When Antwain Barbour was a no-show at Kentucky's media day, one couldn't help wonder if he was avoiding questions about off-season problems. Jason Leger Interview and Player Profile    Jason Leger (6' 1" 280 OL/DL) of Rockcastle County has been offered a scholarship by Coach Brooks and UK. (10-28-03)      Football Kentucky Wildcats Report    University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks likes the way his team is finishing games, but he still hasn't found the secret to a fast start.   Brooks looking for quick starts    Since he's used about every motivational ploy he knows, Rich Brooks might take a different approach to Kentucky's slow starts offensively this week. Abney an athlete unlike any other at UK    It's only this.  It's only an 80-yard punt return touchdown, with the last ten or so yards gained as much with the will as with the feet. Kentucky Football Notebook    Strong safety Randy Driver has left the University of Kentucky football team and linebacker Brad Booker has been suspended for the Arkansas game, Coach Rich Brooks announced Tuesday Cats resurrect season, show fans they won’t quit    We had seen this before.   A lifeless crowd and 15,000 empty seats.  An anemic offense. A porous defense. A 17-0 deficit midway through the second quarter for the team in blue. Losing streak has Hogs on their heels    ARKANSAS WILL TRY TO STAY BOWL-ELIGIBLE AGAINST UK    Was it really less than six weeks ago that Houston Nutt had coached Arkansas to one of the biggest wins in school history, a win on the home field of old Southwest Conference rival Texas? Cats lobby for spread offense   UK's offense remains a study in contrast despite its most productive outing of the season in a 42-17 victory over Mississippi State Saturday. Arkansas still dangerous despite losing streak, Brooks says     Arkansas has lost three straight games and fallen out of the national rankings, but Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks said Monday that the Razorbacks are "one of the best teams we've seen all year."       Basketball UK Women's Basketball Debut Against Athletes in Action    The University of Kentucky women's basketball team will conduct the first of two exhibition games this season on Sunday, Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum against Athletes in Action. Admission is free. Men's Basketball Exhibition Tickets On Sale    Seats for two pre-season games at Rupp Arena remain available Pressure might spur UK's Fitch    With the pre-season focus squarely on Kentucky's freshman 7-footers, a veteran like Gerald Fitch could have seen last weekend's Blue-White scrimmage as a ho-hum affair.       Baseball Male's Green commits to UK baseball squad    Male High School senior pitcher Scott Green has decided to stay close to home for college.   (10-27-03)      Football Abney Named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week    Earns Honor for Fourth Time in His Career Clausen, Lavalais, Abney Garner SEC Weekly Honors    Tennessee's Casey Clausen, LSU's Chad Lavalais and Kentucky's Derek Abney earned SEC Football Player of the Week honors. UK offense was at its worst, then its best    Just when it seemed things couldn't get much worse for the Kentucky offense, the Kentucky offense got much, much better. Hopewell lends a hand on Abney's record return    Derek Abney's record-setting punt return wouldn't have been possible without a little help from his friends.   ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS at KENTUCKY WILDCATS    SEC UK vs Arkansas Game Preview  Brooks doesn't want to hear 'B' word yet    Rich Brooks wants no part of the "B" word even though his team has won two straight games to even its record and overcame a 17-point deficit to get the second straight win Saturday. Nutt hoping for nicer November    Arkansas should be glad its next game Saturday night at Kentucky falls on the first of November.   Kentucky Football Press Conference Quotes    Kentucky takes on Arkansas on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Commonwealth Stadium   Playing fast and loose sharpens Cats' attack    CONSISTENCY, SPREAD OFFENSE LEAD TO UK'S 'BREAKTHROUGH'   Time is running out for Rich Brooks to see his Kentucky football team play a consistent 60-minute game. But if the Wildcats play as solid a 35 minutes as they played in Saturday's 42-17 win over Mississippi State, it might not matter. Abney ties KO return record in 42-17 win    It took awhile, but Derek Abney and the Kentucky offense finally had a bust-out game.       Basketball Sparks shows he can play    Every time he plays, Patrick Sparks tries to approach it like it might be his last game.   Hayes emerges as leader    A few things were revealed about the future and present of the University of Kentucky men's basketball team during their scrimmage Saturday night at Memorial Coliseum. (10-26-03)      Football Abney, Beach bail out Cats    It took awhile, but Derek Abney and the Kentucky offense finally had a bust-out game. Tale of Two Halfs    Trailing 17-0 in the first half, Kentucky rallied in the second half outscoring Mississippi State 42-0 to turn a disappointing home game start into Coach Rich Brooks' first blowout victory. The Wildcat defense also recorded three interceptions in the 42-17 win. Brooks speaks; UK peaks   Maybe UK football coach Rich Brooks should start chewing out his team before the game instead of during it. He has discovered how to make slow-starting Wildcats respond after halftime. Abney gets record    The final 15 yards were the best for Derek Abney Notebook- 'Rock' rolls    Fullback Ronald "Rock" Johnson, making his first start of the season, rumbled 7 yards for the University of Kentucky football team's first touchdown during the Wildcats' 42-17 victory over Mississippi State yesterday. Fairy tales do come true for Kentucky's seniors    Derek Abney’s blue eyes sparkled.    Jared Lorenzen fairly beamed. They looked like kids at Christmas. In a way, they were. For once, the haunted house known as Commonwealth Stadium had yielded something rarer than a 50 Cent love ballad: A feel-good Kentucky football Saturday. Out of the crypt    You could feel the fork just about ready to penetrate the 2003 Kentucky football season. UK had been suffering from painfully slow starts all season, but this clearly was the worst. Beat-up line gets job done in second half It hasn't been the easiest of seasons for the Kentucky offensive line. They're physically beat up, with several starters nursing nagging injuries. And they also are a little emotionally drained after struggling in both pass protection and the running game. BY THE NUMBERS       Basketball Scheduling snag sets up battle of the UK sexes    DeMoss disappointed that men, women tip off on same night    Here's a headline just waiting to blaze across the Herald-Leader sports page: DeMoss debut deflating. Like any first-year coach, Mickie DeMoss hopes to begin her tenure with a bang. She wants a large crowd to come to that opening game and be charmed by a revitalized team. Blue-White game highlighted by battle in the middle    Alleyne, Obrzut display different talents for Cats   Freshman Alleyne passes first test with 15 points, 10 boards, 3 blocks    TRANSFER SPARKS ALSO STEPS UP AS BLUE TIES WHITE IN SCRIMMAGE    Shagari Alleyne and Patrick Sparks played well. That's the long and short of it from Kentucky basketball's Blue-White scrimmage last night. White Scrimmage Post-Game Quotes    Head Coach Tubby Smith    On the effort of both teams...   "The guys really competed, especially the blue team. They reached down and never gave up (when they were behind). But with guys like Chuck and Gerald (on the blue team), I knew they would." (10-25-03)      Football Kentucky Slams Mississippi State, 42-17 Derek Abney tied the NCAA career record for kick return touchdowns with an 80-yard punt return in the third quarter and also added a long scoring catch in Kentucky's 42-17 win over Mississippi State on Saturday. Kentucky (4-4, 1-3 Southeastern Conference) rallied from a 17-0 first-half deficit against the Bulldogs, who have the worst defense in the SEC. Abney gave the Wildcats their first lead at 21-17 with an 80-yard punt return in the third quarter. It was Abney's eighth career kick return for a score, tying the NCAA record held by Cliff Branch of Colorado (1970-71) and Johnny Rodgers of Nebraska (1970-72). Kentucky's Abney Sets Record for Kick Return TDs    Kentucky's Derek Abney tied the NCAA career record for kick return touchdowns with an 80-yard punt return in the third quarter against Mississippi State on Saturday. Abney, who broke or tied five NCAA and nine Southeastern Conference records for kick returns last season, has returned eight kicks for touchdowns - six punts and two kickoffs - in his career. Abney sets record for kick return TDs    Kentucky's Derek Abney tied the NCAA career record for kick return touchdowns with an 80-yard punt return in the third quarter in the Wildcats' 42-17 victory over Mississippi State on Saturday. Game Story    Derek Abney scored on a punt return and caught a touchdown pass as Kentucky rallied with 42 unanswered points for a 42-17 victory over Southeastern Conference rival Mississippi State. Cats seek 60 minutes' effort    University of Kentucky coach Rich Brooks admits that he doesn't have all the answers. Boyd offers more than average backup     He's the team's leading rusher, arguably its best athlete, by all accounts a terrific fit for the offense and a hometown favorite to boot. So why in the world isn't Shane Boyd the starting quarterback for the University of Kentucky football team? With UK, anything's possible    BROOKS: 'EVERY WEEK IS DIFFERENT WITH THIS FOOTBALL TEAM'    Maybe his team has a mild case of schizophrenia, but whatever the deal, Kentucky coach Rich Brooks never knows what he's going to get when it comes to his Wildcats. COOPER BACK WITH FUTURE IN DOUBT In many ways, Ron Cooper will be coming full circle when he returns to Commonwealth Stadium this afternoon. During his last trip in 1997, he absorbed a 38-24 loss to a Hal Mumme-led Kentucky team that preceded his firing after three seasons as Louisville's head coach. GAMES WITHIN THE GAME    Breaking down the Kentucky- Mississippi State matchups. Kentucky-Miss. State rosters, stats Wildcats, Bulldogs hope to solve problems today    Kentucky's offense has struggled at the start of almost every football game this season. Mississippi State has struggled so much that the Bulldogs' coach announced last week he would retire at the end of the season. Mississippi State (2-5) At Kentucky (3-4)   FACTS & STATS: Site: Commonwealth Stadium (67,530) -- Lexington, Kentucky. Television: Local. Home Record: Mississippi St. 2-2, Kentucky 2-3. Away Record: Mississippi St. 0-3, Kentucky 1-1. Neutral Record: Mississippi St. 0-0, Kentucky 0-0. Conference Record: Mississippi St. 1-2, Kentucky 0-3. Series Record: Kentucky leads, 17-13.  Kentucky stockpiling talent at QB    He's the team's leading rusher, arguably its best athlete, by all accounts a terrific fit for the offense and a hometown favorite to boot. So why in the world isn't Shane Boyd the starting quarterback for Kentucky's football team?         Basketball Blue White Scrimmage Stats, Photos and Quotes    Game ends in a 77-77 tie Young Kentucky big men won't be rushed to stardom    When University of Kentucky guard Cliff Hawkins tries to drive the lane during practice, he sometimes has a little problem seeing the basket. Development hard to miss   Lukasz Obrzut is the 7-1 guy. Shagari Alleyne is the 7-3 one. Smith narrowing the focus     With 10 television cameras beaming his likeness to every corner of the Commonwealth and 75 media members waiting on every word, Tubby Smith did his best to make the most of one of his least favorite duties as the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats.   Cats stand tall by adding Elliott    In her 18 years at Tennessee, Mickie DeMoss's signed some big players.  (10-24-03) Big Blue Thoughts With Mitch Barnhart    Soccers winding down conference schedules, Big Blue Madness, 'Ask Mitch' letter      Football Wildcats' QBs walk the walk    The pregame walk has become a custom for University of Kentucky quarterbacks Jared Lorenzen and Shane Boyd. Players dismiss feud talk    Lorenzen, Boyd want fan divisiveness to end over playing time    Forget about the Mississippi State game or any of the other seven football games the University of Kentucky has played this season.       Basketball Smith says this Kentucky team could be better    All Kentucky did last season was win 26 straight games, go unbeaten in the Southeastern Conference and come within a game of the Final Four.  More mature Fitch wants to lead    In senior Gerald Fitch's first three seasons on the University of Kentucky basketball team, there have been some memorable moments and some forgettable moments. Barbour must sit out three games     University of Kentucky senior swingman Antwain Barbour will not play in the team's two exhibition games and regular-season opener against Winthrop Nov. 21, UK head coach Tubby Smith said Thursday. Former Elizabethtown star Barbour suspended three games    The senior season for University of Kentucky swingman Antwain Barbour will start on the bench in dress clothes. Fourth-year seniors will play key role for Wildcats    They arrived at Kentucky wanted by none of the other heavyweights of college basketball. UK may play small ball initially    Just as University of Kentucky men's basketball coach Tubby Smith found himself slipping into the classic coaching cliche — that no starting position is guaranteed — he stopped. Spotlight should be on Barbour    UK NEEDS SCORING FROM SENIOR    For the 2003-04 Kentucky Wildcats, mystery and suspense come in a sleek 6-foot-5 package. One pre-season ago, conventional wisdom held that Antwain Barbour -- late-blooming Kentucky high school star turned juco wunderkind turned prized UK recruit -- was the player that would allow Tubby Smith to make Cats fans turn the page on Team Turmoil. UK won't lean on its new skyline    BUT CATS WANT CENTERS TO BE A FACTOR People can't help but stare when they see Kentucky basketball's new seven-foot club, Lukasz Obrzut and Shagari Alleyne, on the byways and really high ways of Lexington this fall. (10-23-03)      Football Top RB commits to Cats    One of the nation's top-rated all-purpose backs has said he'll play his college football at the University of Kentucky. Players, fans don't think alike    Some football fans know a lot. Some fans think they know a lot. Some don't know what to think. And some don't think at all (these are fans in the definitive sense - operating only on feel; emotional and truly fanatical about the performance, or lack thereof, of their team). UK defense wins praise from offense In the gloomy aftermath of a 24-21 loss to Florida three weeks ago, University of Kentucky offensive tackle Antonio Hall found reason for optimism. Surrounded by players frustrated and in tears, he stuck his head into the defensive locker room. Wildcats' defense improving    Confidence is something the Kentucky defense lacked when the season started. Barnhart supports coaches    If there has been one constant about Mitch Barnhart's first 15 months as the University of Kentucky athletics director, it has to be his unwavering support for coaches he believes are doing a good job.       Basketball Kentucky Men's Basketball Media Day Quotes    Cats discuss the upcoming season (10-22-03)      Football Kentucky Football Notebook A school-record six Kentucky Wildcats, Taylor Begley, Alexis Bwenge, Jeremiah Drobney, Justin Haydock, Antoine Huffman and Anthony Thornton, have qualified for nomination for the Academic All-America team sponsored by the College Sports Information Directors of America. Several ailing Cats should be ready Saturday   Kentucky sophomore outside linebacker Deion Holts has been reinstated following a one-game suspension.  Kentucky's Lorenzen tough to bring down    The wacky moment happened two years ago in the Mississippi State-Kentucky football game, but the memory still elicits a laugh from Marvin Byrdsong.  Mississippi State searches after Sherrill bows out    Mississippi State is now in the process of searching for a new head football coach.  Sherrill still has chapters to write    The best thing about Jackie Sherrill's retirement at the end of the Mississippi State football season is that he'll have time to finish the book he has started with Pittsburgh writer Sam Sciullo Jr. If you know anything about the man and his highly successful and equally controversial coaching career, you know it will be must reading.  Cats' Holts decides to shut up and put up Deion Holts isn't the type of guy who holds anything back. It could be directed toward a teammate, an opposing player, a coach, or the media, but if something's on Holts' mind, he's going to say it. Kentucky Wildcats Report    Reserve linebacker Kamaal Ahmad hasn't made a tackle this season, but he still has played an important role for the University of Kentucky football team. (10-21-03)      Football Cook wants to help    Tommy Cook could have gloated. He could have said he would have been making big plays all year if only he had been given the opportunity. UK-Arkansas game moved to 7 p.m. for TV  The Kentucky-Arkansas game on Nov. 1 will be shown on ESPN2, meaning kickoff will move to 7 p.m. from its originally scheduled time of 1 p.m. So was Pinner really that good?    WITH SAME OFFENSIVE LINE AS LAST YEAR, UK'S RUNNING GAME ANEMIC    Forget about Red Grange. Disregard Billy Cannon, Jim Brown, Billy Sims. Drop Herschel Walker, Barry Sanders and the whole epic Southern California tailback line. Holts back on team after 1-game supension    Kentucky sophomore outside linebacker Deion Holts has been reinstated following a one-game suspension. Holts is listed No. 2 behind Raymond Fontaine, who took his place in the rotation for the Ohio game. 'From the heart' meeting sparked Wildcats Two of the most influential members of the University of Kentucky football team said yesterday that a postgame meeting at South Carolina led many players to rededicate themselves, although there remain some "pretenders." Defense praised as offense stalls    University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks liberally praised the Wildcats' defense Monday during his weekly news conference and said he's mystified that the offense continues to sputter at the start of games.       Basketball Smith hides any worries    If Tubby Smith is worried about how this year's University of Kentucky basketball team will do, he certainly didn't let it show here Friday night.   (10-20-03)      Football Players will remember Brooks' loyalty    Sometimes it's the subtle things that define a coach's career. Rather than a signature win or devastating loss, it can be what might seem to be a much more insignificant event that determines whether a coach succeeds or fails.  Hopewell's decision leads to block    Once he saw an opening, Andrew Hopewell decided to take it.   Kentucky Football Press Conference Quotes - Monday    On the injury situation...  "Claude Sagaille looks like he'll be ready to go this week. I would say (Win) Gaffron would still be doubtful with his back. (His back) is better, but at this point I'd say will have to wait a few days to see whether he'll be ready to go. Nothing in the game that's going to keep anyone out, injury-wise, but we do have some guys that are a little beat up. Brooks appeals to offense to match defense's consistency     Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks made it a point to silence all talk about bowls following his team's 27-21 loss at South Carolina on Oct. 9. Brooks says Lorenzen will remain UK's starter    Jared Lorenzen remains the University of Kentucky's starting quarterback. But backup Shane Boyd could hold the key to the rest of the Wildcats' season.       Basketball Recruits officially visit UK    Once the Wildcats faithful recognized the two VIPs sitting lower midcourt in Memorial Coliseum on Friday night for Big Blue Madness, they began showering them with adoring chants. (10-19-03)      Football UK is Shane buoyed, 35-14    The University of Kentucky football team might be on to something with this Shane Boyd thing. Signs show QB shift occurring with Cats    The question came, and Rich Brooks didn't flinch. He's been around long enough to know a quarterback controversy when he sees one. Tag-team QBs new Big Blue blueprint   The general idea behind your average college football homecoming is for the home team to put on a show for the alumni. Not put the alumni to sleep. BOYD'S NIGHT OUT    Sometimes all that's needed is a little change to spark a flickering flame. UK's two-quarterback system was effective for the first time all season, and a realigned Wildcats defense shut down the Ohio option game as Kentucky posted a 35-14 victory last night in front of a Homecoming crowd of 61,107 in Commonwealth Stadium. No longer defenseless   DEFENDERS DIDN'T JUST EARN RESPECT, THEY EARNED THE VICTORY    A new identity requires a new slogan, you know. So how about: Kentucky football: Where the defense never rests. The Big Blue Line: We defend more ferociously than Kobe Bryant's attorneys. BY THE NUMBERS    Ohio 7 0 0 7--14 Kentucky 0 7 14 14--35 First quarter Brad Young 7 run (Greg DiMarino kick), 10:28. Second quarter - Shane Boyd 8 run (Taylor Begley kick), 8:18. Flea-flicker TD toss gets Cook 'back in flow'    The Cats provided some razzle-dazzle via a flea-ficker that resulted in a 42-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter last night. Quarterback Shane Boyd took the snap and handed off to Arliss Beach before Beach tossed it back to Boyd, who fired a strike downfield to Tommy Cook, who had slipped behind the Ohio secondary.       Basketball Coaches search their souls    If acknowledging a problem is the first step toward a solution, then college basketball coaches began that journey last week. The coaches met in Chicago to discuss their tattered collective image. In the past year, the highlights among the lowlights were Iowa State's Larry Eustachy photographed drinking and smooching with co-eds, Jim Harrick linked to grade-fixing and improper payments, and then finally a shooting at Baylor with Dave Bliss caught on tape trying to save his hide by plotting to implicate... 2003-04 UK men's basketball-schedule Date Opponent Site Time TV Nov. 4 x-TEAM NIKE Lexington 7:30 p.m. d-UKTV Nov. 12 x-EA SPORTS Lexington 7:30 p.m. d-UKTV Nov. 21 Winthrop Lexington 8 p.m. d-UKTV (10-18-03)      Football Wildcats Handle Ohio, 35-14    Backup quarterback Shane Boyd threw two touchdown passes, caught one and ran for another score as Kentucky beat Ohio 35-14 on Saturday night. Boyd relieved starter Jared Lorenzen after Lorenzen lost two fumbles in the first quarter. Boyd scored on runs on 8 and 12 yards, threw a 42-yard scoring pass to Tommy Cook and caught a 30-yard TD pass from Lorenzen in the fourth quarter. School officials did not immediately know if any previous Kentucky player had touchdowns passing, receiving and rushing in a single game. Tricky Bobcats will test Wildcats   Tracking down the football in Ohio University's offense is like trying to solve "Where's Waldo?" You know it's there, but you just can't find it. Ohio at Kentucky Preview    Can UK stop next big MAC conquest?    OHIO'S OPTION CONCERNS BROOKS 'A GREAT DEAL'    Rich Brooks and his Kentucky football team are the latest major conference program to be put on "MAC Alert." The Mid-American Conference, a 14-team football league based in the Midwest that features "mid-major" programs, has been a mack daddy this fall. GAMES WITHIN THE GAME    Breaking down the Ohio-Kentucky matchups    Both teams are dealing with interesting quarterback scenarios. For Kentucky, Shane Boyd came in for a woozy Jared Lorenzen and nearly led the Cats to a comeback victory at South Carolina last week, but Lorenzen is healthy and will get the start. The number of snaps Boyd will get at quarterback tonight -- and when he will get them -- is unclear. Injuries force Brooks to shuffle starters The bumps and bruises of a typical football season are starting to catch up with Kentucky. Senior offensive lineman Antonio Hall's streak of 40 consecutive starts is up in the air because of hip bursitis. Senior tight end Win Gaffron will miss tonight's game with a back injury, and safety Claude Sagaille is out with a groin injury. Ohio    offense Left tackle 77 Dennis Thompson 6-4 307 Jr. 70 Dave Williams 6-4 271 Jr. Left guard 61 Aaron Bryant 6-3 293 Fr. Center 75 Mike Nelson 6-2 286 So. Wildcats fully aware of MAC's list of wins    The list of marquee victims of Mid-American Conference football teams this season is long, and University of Kentucky head coach Rich Brooks doesn't want his team to join a group that includes Maryland, Alabama, Kansas State, Purdue and Iowa State.       Basketball As practice gets under way, future now for Wildcats    University of Kentucky men's basketball coach Tubby Smith took a page out of Marty McFly's book early this morning, emerging from a vintage 1980s DeLorean to make his debut at the Wildcats' annual Big Blue Madness. Through futuristic fog, here come Cats of tomorrow    With the absence of reliable Keith Bogans and the need for freshmen big men to contribute, the future of Kentucky basketball might seem foggy. But a gleaming future will emerge from the smoke. Barnhart gets glowing job review    University of Kentucky president Lee Todd often says he wants to change the culture of UK athletics, make it less of a separate fiefdom and more linked to other departments on campus. UK looks to build new athletic facility    The area behind Memorial Coliseum is an asphalt parking lot. One day University of Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart hopes it will be a new practice facility for men's and women's basketball and much more. If enough money can be raised towards the construction of the new building, Barnhart would like to have it house all of the athletic administrative offices and coaches offices. UK's projected 2003-04 starters    'Cats need to replace Bogans' production    The Wildcats will need to find a way to replace the production of Keith Bogans, Marquis Estill and Jules Camara. Bogans, the SEC Player of the Year last season, was the team's leading scorer (15.7 per game) while Estill, was second in rebounds (six per game) and third in scoring (11.6). Camara averaged 6.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Hayes enjoyed a good summer    Chuck Hayes is sitting in an office inside of Memorial Coliseum scanning a preseason college basketball magazine. (10-17-03)      Football Fontaine adjusts to UK    Raymond Fontaine had such an unlikely path to becoming a starting linebacker at Kentucky that he wasn't about to let losing that No. 1 position cause a major detour in his career. Ohio Football Looks to Spoil Kentucky's Homecoming    Bobcats finish non-conference schedule this week when the travel to face SEC member Kentucky   Abney wants Wildcats to wing it    HUDSON'S OFFENSE NOT GEARED TO DOWNFIELD PASSING    Midway through the third quarter of the South Carolina game, Derek Abney was on the sidelines going crazy. The UK offense was laboring, and Abney had two catches -- both on short dump-offs -- for 11 yards. Tight end Gaffron's injury has Cats thin     Talk about bad timing. Just as University of Kentucky tight end Win Gaffron was emerging as a legitimate threat in the Wildcats' passing attack, he'll miss tomorrow's game against Ohio University because of a bad back.       Basketball Real 'Madness' for Smith concerns recruiting    The Kentucky-Louisville basketball game is still over two months away, but Rick Pitino and the Cardinals already appear to have an edge over the Wildcats. Tubby Smith Big Blue Madness Quotes    Tubby Smith made himself available to members of the media prior to the Big Blue Madness celebration Friday night at Memorial Coliseum. Click for his quotes about the team, the first practice and the season. Big Blue Madness Photo Gallery    The 2003-04 Kentucky basketball seasons kicked off Friday night/Saturday morning with Big Blue Madness. Click to browse through photos from the event. Recruits to see UK 'madness'    The University of Kentucky's theme for tonight's Midnight Madness is "The future of Kentucky basketball." Midnight Madness schedules    Tonight at Memorial Coliseum 10:30 p.m.: Doors open, followed by a three-point shooting contest and a slam-dunk contest. Madness tips off start of season    Midnight Madness always starts the college basketball season. This year it means new starts for several programs. Pitino continues to torment UK fans    LOUISVILLE'S REBIRTH MEANS SLEEPLESS NIGHTS    The bogeyman who haunts slumber in the Kingdom of the Blue is known by many names. Rat-ino. Traitor Rick. Benedict Pitino. And -- for those who can't bring themselves to mutter even a variation of the bogeyman's name -- TCFEBUK. (10-16-03)      Football Homecoming Weekend Information Besides the Kentucky/Ohio football game on Saturday night, there are a number of other activities planned for the Homecoming weekend. The annual Homecoming Parade will begin Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Commonwealth Stadium. Following the parade at 8 p.m., the Lexington-based band The Schuers will perform at Stoll Field. At 9:15 p.m., country music star Mark Wills will perform until 11 p.m. Click for more Homecoming activities. UK's Lorenzen cleared to start    Jared Lorenzen has sufficiently recovered from a concussion and will start at quarterback for Kentucky when the Wildcats host Ohio on Saturday, UK coach Rich Brooks said Wednesday.