Mississippi State Downs Kentucky 22-7
Fred Reid rushed for 109 yards, including a 32-yard
touchdown run with 3:34 remaining, to give Mississippi State a 22-7 win
Saturday over Kentucky, one week after the Bulldogs pulled off one of the
biggest upsets of the season.
It's starkville indeed for Wildcats, 22-7 UK's offense took
the field with 98 yards separating it from a touchdown that would complete
an unlikely comeback in the closing minutes at Mississippi State yesterday.
CELLAR'S MARKETCats
prove to be more woeful than Bulldogs Yesterday's
Kentucky-Mississippi State game was about as poorly played a contest as you
would have expected out of two bottom-rung Southeastern Conference programs.
NCAA penalties anything but even The University of Kentucky
football program's penalties for recruiting violations were much stiffer
than those handed to Mississippi State this past week, but UK athletic
director Mitch Barnhart stopped short of saying the Bulldogs got off easy.
As Williams shows, you just can't quitUK safety keeps playing long after there's
reason to Basically, it was quitting time. Mike
Williams felt like he had a poltergeist living in his mid-section. His
stomach had cramped and then it cramped again.
Cats hit new lows in offensive woes Kentucky and Duke have
been synonymous with both basketball excellence and football futility in
recent years, and going into yesterday's games, the two were battling for
the distinct honor of having the nation's worst offense.
MSU 'D' delivers in 22-7 victoryQuentin
Culberson's eyes got big. He knew what was coming. The
Mississippi State linebacker read it immediately, just like he had done this
week in practice. He thought Kentucky would throw a quick-hitting pass his
way.
MSU defense throttles Boyd and Kentucky
Mississippi State played defense. Then the Bulldogs played some more
defense. They battered Kentucky quarterback Shane Boyd, and they got after
his receivers
Basketball
Cats for Kerry
Massachusetts senator gets slight edge among Kentucky players
While George W. Bush is expected to easily
win Kentucky's electoral votes, he's not the favorite of UK's basketball
team. An informal sampling of Kentucky basketball players showed a
preference for John Kerry over Bush in Tuesday's presidential election.
Game vs. Cats 'weird' for Smith Derek Smith's dream will
come true in his first game as a basketball player for NCAA Division II
Northern Kentucky University ironically will come Wednesday in an exhibition
game against UK in Rupp.
Newsworthy Cats from the Past
Ex-Wildcat Walker has breakout plansOUT OF MAVERICKS' MIX, HAWK IS NEXT 'NIQUE --
MAYBE When Antoine Walker arrived on the University of
Kentucky campus 10 years ago, teammate Tony Delk recalled, he was one of
those McDonald's All-America/ParadeAll-America types.
Wizards Waive Fitch and ThomasWashington Wizards
President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the
team has waived guards Gerald Fitch and Billy Thomas.
(10-30-04)
Football
Reeling Cats catch Bulldogs growling
The University of Kentucky will go
into today's game at Mississippi State without its best defensive player,
Vincent "Sweet Pea" Burns; its leading rusher, Tony Dixon; and any semblance
of confidence after losing five straight.
Mississippi State Downs Kentucky 22-7Fred Reid
rushed for 109 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown run with 3:34 remaining,
to give Mississippi State a 22-7 win Saturday over Kentucky, one week after
the Bulldogs pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season.
Kentucky - Mississippi State Postgame QuotesMSU
HEAD COACH SYLVESTER CROOM OPENING COMMENTS: "It
was a long afternoon. It was good to get a second win in a row. I am very
proud of our players. I didn't think we looked as good as we are capable of
looking today. We need to get better on offense. I thought our defense
played outstanding. They had their backs against the wall. Part of winning
is finding a way to win and we did that today. We owe a lot to our defense
and that staff. Our kicking game was good today as well. We did a good job
and kicking and covering.
Kentucky (1-6) at Mississippi State (2-5) DATE & TIME:
Saturday, October 30th, 2:30 p.m. (et) FACTS & STATS: Site: Scott
Field (52,884) -- Starkville, Mississippi. Television: Local. Home Record:
Kentucky 1-3, MSU 2-2. Away Record: Kentucky 0-3, MSU 0-3. Neutral Record:
Kentucky 0-0, MSU 0-0. Conference Record: Kentucky 0-4, MSU 1-3. Series
Record: Kentucky leads, 18-13.
Ailing Boyd will probably start at QBWhile
Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks said it would be a game-time decision on whether
senior Shane Boyd or redshirt freshman Andre Woodson would get the start at
quarterback, all signs point toward Boyd returning to the lineup this
afternoon.
Can MSU be a W for UK?The chances for the
Kentucky football team to pick up victories are slowly but surely dwindling
away.
New role suits Bulldogs fineMississippi State is
looking for two consecutive wins for the first time this season. The
statement came a good ways into the press conference where Mississippi State
folks were responding to the NCAA sanctions passed down Wednesday
Conner's scrambling makes MSU dangerousWhen the
chaos begins for a defense, Mississippi State's offense finds order.
Quarterback Omarr Conner takes the snap and searches downfield. Either by
design or by feel, Conner begins to scramble. The mobile sophomore has all
the power, at this point.
Basketball
SEC East Preview
They've had 59 wins in two years - 25 of
those in the Southeastern Conference. No team came close to matching
UK's SEC dominance the last two years, and with a top-ranked recruiting
class, UK is the favorite again in many preseason magazine and Internet
polls.
Walk-on surprises friends, familyNobody in Decatur,
Ala., believed Eric Allen when he first told them the news. The
freshman guard had been working out with the UK basketball team since the
beginning of classes, but he knew he was no lock to make the roster. Those
back home were pessimistic of his chances.
USA TODAY/ESPN Top 25 PollRank School 2003-04
Record Points Final 2003-04 ranking
1. Kansas (8) 24-9 741 9
2. Wake Forest (12) 21-10 724 15
3. North Carolina (6) 19-11 697 22
4. Georgia Tech (1) 28-10 604 3
5. Illinois (1) 26-7 598 11
6. Syracuse 23-8 557 19
7. Connecticut 33-6 541 1
8. Oklahoma State (1) 31-4 511 4
9. Kentucky 27-5 480 8
Outlook: Wildcats lost three key starters - Gerald Fitch, Erik Daniels and
Cliff Hawkins - so they'll be young in spots but still talented. F Chuck
Hayes and wing Kelenna Azubuike lead returnees. But watch the freshmen - C
Randolph Morris, G Joe Crawford - and PG Patrick Sparks, a transfer from
Western Kentucky. Opens: Nov.
10. Michigan State 18-12 476 NR
North Hardin Senior Commits to CatsJenne Jackson
never planned to become a Kentucky Wildcat. But now she thinks it might
have been her destiny all along.
(10-29-04)
Football
Little is likely to get first start
With starting tailback Tony Dixon sidelined by an ankle
injury, Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks said yesterday that freshman tailback
Rafael Little might make his first collegiate start Saturday at Mississippi
State.
UK freshman tailback might make first start Freshman
tailback Rafael Little, one of the gems of the University of Kentucky's most
recent recruiting class, flashed his potential last week at Auburn and
likely will get his first career start tomorrow at Mississippi State. "It's
very exciting," he said.
Basketball
MEDIA POLL PICKS UK TO WIN SEC TITLE
The Kentucky-Florida rivalry continued at the
ballot box instead of the basketball court yesterday. For the third time in
the last four years, reporters voted UK over Florida as the favorite to win
the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division. The Cats also were the choice
to win the overall SEC regular-season championship.
Media pick UK to win SEC title Several Southeastern
Conference teams returned more starters than the University of Kentucky, but
all of the Wildcats' new faces don't necessarily mean new expectations.
Look for faster, more furious offense
You Wildcat fans who have been craving for a
higher-scoring, more up-tempo offense and more full-court pressing on
defense might find what you're looking for in this year's squad.
Wildcats look to improve not-so-special teamsKENTUCKY RANKS LAST IN PUNT RETURNS, KICK
COVERAGE
Kentucky has handled Mississippi State the past two
seasons thanks in large part to its special teams play. With its offense
struggling, UK needs that same kind of special teams magic against the
Bulldogs this week.
Success hinges on HayesNothing keeps Chuck Hayes out of the starting lineup.
For 76 straight games, the senior forward has been a fixture in the UK
starting five.
College life leaves Morris with no regrets
Randolph Morris doesn't have to be here. The
McDonald's All-American and freshman center could have easily followed his
friends Dwight Howard and Josh Smith to the NBA, but he chose another path.
Kentucky has been picked the preseason favorite to
win the 2005 Southeastern Conference men’s basketball title in a poll taken
at the SEC Media Days in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday. The Wildcats were
dubbed the favorite to win the title on nine of the 18 ballots cast.
UK's Hayes searching to find a smooth shot
University of Kentucky forward Chuck Hayes and his best
friend last summer were watching videotapes of their high school games, in
which Hayes knocked down one jumper after another.
Friends figure they can handle rivalryFLORIDA'S LEE, UK'S HAYES GOT ALONG GREAT
AT CAMP The Kentucky-Florida basketball rivalry has
turned personal. That ominous-sounding development occurred this summer
during the Nike All-American Camp in Indianapolis. The rivals' current star
big men, Chuck Hayes of UK and David Lee of Florida, roomed together while
working as camp counselors.
Kentucky, Florida get the jump on preseason rankings
The Southeastern Conference's preseason picks won't be released until today,
but several players and coaches weighed in with their choices yesterday
during the opening of the league's basketball media days.
Kentuckians to get their shot at the Cats
Two well-known Kentuckians will try to beat Kentucky this season: Chris
Lofton, the reigning Kentucky Mr. Basketball, and Brian Smith, the youngest
son of UK Coach Tubby Smith.
With UK
mainstays gone, Hayes carrying heavy load
For the first time in four
years, all eyes are on University of Kentucky senior forward Chuck Hayes.
His picture alone graces the cover of the media guide.
Exhibition tickets on sale Tickets go
on sale at the box office today for the University of Kentucky men's
basketball team's two exhibition games. The tickets, for the Nov. 3 game
against Northern Kentucky and the Nov. 9 game against Kentucky Wesleyan,
will be available at both the UK and Rupp Arena ticket offices and through
Ticketmaster.
Stars
go from rivals to roomies
The day before University of Kentucky
senior forward Chuck Hayes left for Indianapolis to be a counselor at the
Nike All-America camp, he talked with teammate Ravi Moss about all the good
returning players in the Southeastern Conference this season.
(10-27-04)
Football
Scrap that siren, the Air Raid is overUK'S OFFENSE SECOND-TO-LAST IN DIVISION I-A
For those who have been out of the country, or
totally addicted to Desperate Housewives, or buried beneath the onslaught of
political advertisements these past few weeks, this just in:
For those who have been out of the country, or totally
addicted to Desperate Housewives, or buried beneath the onslaught of
political advertisements these past few weeks, this just in:
Signature win has Bulldogs riding highCATS ASPIRE TO SIMILAR TURNABOUT
Rich Brooks is envying Sylvester Croom big-time these days. Last
Saturday Croom, in his first year as Mississippi State's coach, led the
Bulldogs to a 38-31 win over Florida that has had huge ramifications on the
college football landscape.
Todd,
Barnhart continue to back Brooks
University of Kentucky
president Lee Todd and athletic director Mitch Barnhart expressed their
support Tuesday for football coach Rich Brooks, whose team is guaranteed its
second straight losing season.
(10-26-04)
Football
Brooks tells Cats he's not quittingHUDSON SAYS HE WON'T WALK AWAY, EITHER
Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks told his players
yesterday what he told the media following Saturday's loss at Auburn: He has
no plans of resigning.
At UK, offense is truly offensive
For once,
University of Kentucky fans have a reason to thank Duke. Only the Blue
Devils have a worse offense than UK.
U of L, UK athletes lag in graduating
Student-athletes at the University of Louisville and University of Kentucky
continue to graduate at a lower percentage than the Division I average,
according to the latest NCAA graduation report issued yesterday.
Wildcats' Brooks: 'I'm not quitting'
University of Kentucky football
coach Rich Brooks said Monday he was convinced he and his staff are doing
what is necessary to rebuild the program, despite a five-game losing streak.
Basketball
Hayes sets high goals for himself, team'I CAN BE A FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICAN'
Kentucky senior forward Chuck Hayes said he plans to lead by example
this season. And he aspires to the loftiest possible example.
Frosh
learning defense
This will be Chuck Hayes' fourth and
final season at the University of Kentucky. Of all the team's he's played
on, early indications are this one could be the best. He sees the potential
in practice when he plays with this athletic group of shooters, penetrators,
dunkers and rebounders.
Trial begins for UK player's father
The federal trial of a University of Kentucky basketball player's father,
who is accused of more than 40 counts of fraud, began yesterday in U.S.
District Court in Tulsa.
Newsworthy Cats from the Past
Daniels could be surprise for KingsAt 6-foot-8, Erik Daniels looks surprisingly comfortable
handling the ball. That becomes more understandable when you find out he
played point guard in high school, where he grew from 5-10 as a freshman to
6-6 as a senior.
(10-25-04)
Football
Kentucky Hits the Road to Take On Mississippi State
Head Coach Rich Brooks and selected players were available Monday for the
weekly news conference. The talked about the season so far and the upcoming
road game against Mississippi State. The UK/Georgia game on Nov. 6 has been picked up by JP Sports and will be
at 12:30 p.m. ET
Verdict not in on Woodson just yet Kentucky
Coach Rich Brooks has had at least one full game to evaluate Andre Woodson's
potential as a Southeastern Conference quarterback.
Brooks will wait to name Wildcats' starting QB
The uncertainty revolving around the University of Kentucky's
quarterback situation will continue this week as the Wildcats prepare for
Mississippi State.
Brooks sees future building blocks for Cats
The losses continue to mount for Kentucky, but coach Rich
Brooks says he's seeing future building blocks for UK's struggling offense.
Tubby
not sure who will get playing time
Rejoice for Tubby Smith.
The University of Kentucky head coach entering his eighth season has a
stockpile of guards who have the potential to provide the Wildcats with a
dominant backcourt, something Smith felt the team didn't have last season.
(10-24-04)
Football
Auburn Ground Game Too Much For Cats
Carnell Williams rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns
and No. 3 Auburn allowed only 110 yards in a 42-10 win over Kentucky on
Saturday.
Cats' offense falls flat in Tigers' rout
The
Wildcats managed just 110 total yards in a 42-10 loss to the Tigers before
85,263 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. That's the lowest output in the Wildcats' two
seasons under coach Rich Brooks and offensive coordinator Ron Hudson.
CADI-SHELLACKINGCarnell Williams outgains the entire UK
offense The third-ranked Auburn Tigers have a shiny
Cadillac that can bob and weave his way through traffic and pick up major
mileage in a hurry.
Woodson gives Cats some hope Perhaps taking
your opening snap in Foxboro, Mass., staring into the teeth of a Bill
Belichick defense would be a tougher way to lift the curtain on the next act
of your career.
ESPN.COM REPORTS REPLACEMENT IS U OF L ASSISTANT
Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks shot down last week's ESPN.com report that stated
he would resign at the end of the season and Louisville defensive
coordinator Mike Cassity would take over.
UK freshmen are Big Macs no longer
Recruiting high-profile players certainly increases a team's
talent level. However, blending that young talent into a team concept can
sometimes present its own challenge.
Coach's ties to Kentucky could help Cats' recruiting
Curtis Brown knew more about Kentucky coach Tubby
Smith than he did about Kentucky basketball when he came to the Bluegrass
for an unofficial recruiting visit last weekend.
Tipoff '05 - SEC Basketball Media Day
Kentucky will be represented by Coach Smith and UK
senior Chuck Hayes in the annual SEC Basketball Media Days festivities
marking the beginning of the 2005 season.
Hayes Double-Double Leads Blue to 84-76 Win
Senior Chuck Hayes scored 21 points and
grabbed 10 rebounds, while teammate Kelenna Azubuike knocked down a
game-high 26 points to rally the Blue squad to an 84-76 win over the White
team in Kentucky’s preseason scrimmage Saturday before a Memorial Coliseum
crowd of 7,500.
Freshmen meet Tubby's demandRONDO AND OTHERS SHINE WITH TENACIOUS
DEFENSE Three straight times, the White team tried
to inbound the ball to Patrick Sparks. Freshman Rajon Rondo foiled each
attempt, the first time deflecting the pass out of bounds and the last two
making the steal but losing possession because he inadvertently stepped on
the baseline and then the sideline.
Cats earn 8th spot on notorious list
There's
at least one ranking in which Kentucky basketball surely would prefer not to
get a mention. But there the Cats were at No. 8 in the top 10 ethical
failures of the last 20 years.
UK youngsters show their stuff
It came as
little surprise that Chuck Hayes and Kelenna Azubuike dominated yesterday's
Blue-White scrimmage at Memorial Coliseum.
(10-23-04)
Football
Auburn 42 UK 10 (final)
Auburn jumps ahead early, wins bigWOODSON STARTS AT QB, PLAYS ENTIRE GAME
Once
the Cadillac got into cruise control, Kentucky was simply run off the road.
Auburn senior running back Carnell “Cadillac” Williams ran for 149 yards and
two touchdowns on 17 carries Saturday as the third-ranked Tigers handled UK
42-10 in front of 85,263 fans at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Kentucky at Auburn When: 2:30 p.m. Records: UK 1-5 (0-3 SEC); Auburn 7-0
(4-0) Series: Auburn leads 22-5-1 Last meeting: Auburn won 42-21 at UK in
1995.
Auburn's spread over UK is ocean
The University of Kentucky will go into today's Southeastern Conference game
at No.3-ranked Auburn as a 301/2-point underdog.
GAMES WITHIN THE GAMEBreaking down today's Kentucky-Auburn game
There's not much to suggest that today's game will be anything
but a blowout. If it turns out to be one, how bad will it actually be? It's
hard to imagine Kentucky scoring enough points on the Auburn defense to be
competitive. With upcoming key games against Mississippi and Georgia, will
Tommy Tuberville call the dogs off early?
Pressure? There's none on the CatsBUT AUBURN DEVOURS CUPCAKES
Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks knows what his ballclub will be up against
this afternoon when it takes on third-ranked Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Linebacker corps gets new look
Linebacking was supposed to be an area of strength for the University of
Kentucky football team's defense this fall, but the spot has been in a state
of flux because of inconsistency.
DEPTH CHARTS
Kentucky offense Left tackle 69 Aaron Miller 6-6 295 Fr. 72 Michael
Aitcheson 6-3 285 So Left guard 70 Jason Rollins 6-5 290 Sr. 60 Trai
Williams 6-4 275 So.
Basketball
Cats want big play from big menALLEYNE, OBRZUT CITE WORK OVER SUMMER
The Kentucky basketball team will get a chance to appraise its
front-line options today in the annual Blue-White Scrimmage. With forward
Sheray Thomas sidelined indefinitely and the subject of speculation he'll be
redshirted, UK Coach Tubby Smith noted how the front line is relatively
shallow.
Tubby wants to see more defense from Wildcats
With so many newcomers expected to make an impact on the University of
Kentucky men's basketball team, every public performance is like a new
unveiling.
UK looks
for more from its 7-footers
The size of the University of
Kentucky's two 7-footers didn't match their contributions on the basketball
court last season. Sophomore centers Shagari Alleyne and Lukasz Obrzut spent
most of their rookie years laboring in the weight room as UK coach Tubby
Smith relied on the now departed 6-8 Princeton High graduate Erik Daniels.
Daniels made the switch from forward to center for the Wildcats, who
finished 27-5 last season.
(10-22-04)
Football
Cats Face Tough Road Battle Against No. 3 Auburn
The Wildcats take to the road Saturday to face 3rd-ranked
Auburn at 2:30 p.m. ET in Jordan-Hare Stadium. UK is coming off a
heartbreaking loss to South Carolina while Auburn is trying to keep their
undefeated record intact.
We all know about the reputation of Florida quarterback
Chris Leak, and the entire nation got to see how explosive the Louisville
offense was against Miami last week.
Tuberville won at Ole Miss with depleted rosters
Think the University of Kentucky's football team has it bad? The Wildcats
are sitting in tall cotton compared with the thorny bush Tommy Tuberville
inherited at Mississippi in 1995.
Linebackers battle sophomore jinx
It's called the second-year slump. The year after a player
first makes an impact, expectations grow. But the performance declines.
Kentucky vs. Auburn
How Kentucky stacks up against
Auburn in Southeastern Conference statistical categories this season. The
numbers represent where each team ranks in the SEC:
UK gets some wide receiver help
The Kentucky
football program picked up some good news on the recruiting front yesterday
when LaGrange, Ga., wide receiver Demoreo Ford orally committed to attend UK
next season.
Men's Basketball Media Day Thursday afternoon
marked the annual preseason Kentucky men's basketball media day. Coach Tubby
Smith plus a majority of the players were available to talk about their
expectations of the upcoming season.
Enjoy UK's star recruits while you can
This isn't
the first time the University of Kentucky has welcomed a knockout recruiting
class. It's just the first time it's happened in the New World Order of
college basketball.
No time for a learning curve
Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith prefers to take time to
ensure freshmen players have adjusted to college life and the college game.
Freshmen want their own legacyCLASS HAS HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR UK
Kentucky's heralded freshmen are too young to remember the standard
for first-year achievement: Michigan's celebrated Fab 5 advancement to the
1992 national championship game.
Freshmen must embrace UK way quickly
For the
better part of the past two seasons, the University of Kentucky men's
basketball team lived by many of the old-school values thought to be
extinct.
With Sparks, looks are deceiving
The eyes are fools.
As susceptible to deception as the mark in a con man's shell game.
Watch Patrick Sparks enter a room. The eyes register ... what?
High
hopes for 'Cats frosh
Twelve years ago, five bold freshmen
at the University of Michigan earned their place in college basketball lore
by taking their team to the NCAA championship game in 1992 and again as
sophomores the next year.
Thomas' return pushed back
Roster
Sophomore forward Sheray Thomas is making a slow recovery from his surgery
earlier this month. Originally, Kentucky pegged his return at mid-November.
Alleyne
may play large role
One year later and University of
Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith is still trying to figure out whether
7-foot-2 Shagari Alleyne is a redeemable prospect or just plain suspect.
Pre-season All-SEC team
FIRST TEAM Pos. Name
School Ht. Wt. Class Hometown F Kennedy Winston Alabama 6-6 205 Jr.
Prichard, Ala. F David Lee Florida 6-9 249 Sr. St. Louis G
Anthony Roberson Florida 6-1 180 Jr. Saginaw, Mich. F Matt Walsh
Florida 6-6 205 Jr. Holland, Pa.
F Chuck
Hayes Kentucky 6-6 247 Sr. Modesto, Calif.
(10-21-04)
Football
Kentucky (1-5) At (3) Auburn (7-0)
GAME NOTES: The third-ranked Auburn Tigers continue their
quest for the national championship as they take on the Kentucky Wildcats
this weekend in an SEC matchup. Kentucky obviously enters this contest as a
huge underdog, as it has won just once in six outings so far this season.
The last four games have all resulted in defeat for the Wildcats, including
last weekend's 12-7 setback against South Carolina. Sadly enough, they have
now been held to fewer than 10 points in three of the six games. Auburn ran
its record to 7-0 last weekend with a 38-20 triumph over Arkansas in a game
that saw the Tigers jump out to a 30-0 advantage. All but one of the squad's
victories have now come by 18 or more points, as the lone exception was a
one-point decision over LSU back in September.....
Shane Boyd says he's ready to be Kentucky's starting
quarterback Saturday at Auburn. UK Coach Rich Brooks isn't so sure. Boyd,
who suffered an injury to his left shoulder early in the second half of the
South Carolina game, returned to the practice field yesterday after sitting
out Tuesday and said he felt no pain in the shoulder.
UK safety has taken dropped theft hard
UK football
players and ex-coach Shelton Crews are helping Mike Williams put his dropped
pass in the past. "I've been taking it pretty hard, but everybody has really
picked me up again."
Cat Fight
The
Kentucky Wildcats will visit the Plains for the first time in 10 years on
Saturday. They are scheduled to face the Tigers at 1:30 p.m. in Jordan-Hare.
Basketball
Hayes, Azubuike Named Preseason All-SEC
Kentucky forward Chuck Hayes and combo player
Kelenna Azubuike were named to the 2005 Preseason All-Southeastern
Conference team as announced by the league office Thursday. Hayes, a 6-6
senior from Modesto, Calif., was named to the first team, while Azubuike, a
junior from Tulsa, Okla., earned second-team honors
Auburn will be best team UK has faced The last thing Kentucky's struggling offense needs is to
know how highly Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville thinks of his defense.
Missed opportunity gnaws at safetyUK'S WILLIAMS KNOWS HE SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT
POSSIBLE GAME-CLINCHING INTERCEPTION Kentucky
strong safety Mike Williams knew the ramifications as soon as the football
slid through his hands Saturday night. "What went through my mind was, I
cost us the game," Williams said. "The game should have been over. Our
offense should have been out on the field running out the clock."
Boyd has bruised shoulder but might play
Tests on the left shoulder of quarterback Shane Boyd showed nothing more
than a bruise, so University of Kentucky coach Rich Brooks hopes his starter
will be able to play Saturday against No.3-ranked Auburn.
Tubby to join Busch team
The University of
Kentucky basketball coach announced yesterday that he is partnering with
driver Jamie Mosley to field a NASCAR Busch Series team for 2005.
Speedier
than the Wildcats
University of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith will be a partner in a
new NASCAR Busch Series team, he said Tuesday. Smith and his wife, Donna,
will join driver Jamie Mosley and NEMCO Motorsports -- which is owned by
former Busch Series champion and current Nextel Cup driver Joe Nemechek --
to field a team in 2005. Mosley, a native of Hazard, Ky., will drive the
team's Chevrolet.
Look
at Auburn. Tommy Tuberville was all but kicked to the curb a year ago. His
fans were furious. His administration was wooing a would-be successor. Only
the embarrassment from the discovery of Auburn's not-so-secret meeting with
Louisville's Bobby Petrino, and a subsequent win over hated Alabama, slipped
Tommy T.'s neck from the noose.
UK merited better fate than loss, Brooks says
Rich Brooks saw a spark in what appeared to be another in a long line of
University of Kentucky football flameouts. Now the Wildcats' coach will find
out if that spark lights the way to a strong finish or if they fall back
into old habits.
Basketball
Tubby Smith, NEMCO Team with Jamie Mosley in NASCAR
Two of
the winningest names in their respective sports - and two national champions
- are putting together a new NASCAR Busch Series team with driver Jamie
Mosley beginning in 2005.
Smith has options with UK freshmen
Tubby
Smith has always held two absolute laws during his stint as the University
of Kentucky basketball coach.
(10-18-04)
Football
Sumrall anxious to face Auburn
As a high
school football player in Alabama, Jon Sumrall thought about playing for an
in-state school.
Two seasons not enough
Look at
Auburn. Tommy Tuberville was all but kicked to the curb a year ago. His fans
were furious. His administration was wooing a would-be successor. Only the
embarrassment from the discovery of Auburn's not-so-secret meeting with
Louisville's Bobby Petrino, and a subsequent win over hated Alabama, slipped
Tommy T.'s neck from the noose.
Brooks says Boyd's Status Uncertain
Kentucky
football fans clamoring to see redshirt freshman Andre Woodson run the
offense might get their wish this week.
Head Coach Rich Brooks spoke to the media today along with
players Matt McCutchan and Jon Sumrall at the weekly news conference about
the tough upcoming road game against Auburn.
Boyd's injury may force Woodson into lineup A new injury to quarterback Shane Boyd's left shoulder
could result in Kentucky coach Rich Brooks having no choice but to play
redshirt freshman Andre Woodson more Saturday at Auburn
Basketball
Tweaking the madness?Pac-10 schools want it in prime time; UK's
take: Why mess with success?
The NCAA may take the midnight out of madness. Or at least make it possible
to stage a Madness celebration and get a good night's sleep.
(10-17-04)
Football
South Carolina Spoils Homecoming for Cats
Fourth-string quarterback Michael Rathe threw a 19-yard
touchdown pass to Troy Williamson with 1:28 left, lifting South Carolina to
a 12-7 win over Kentucky on Saturday night.
Kentucky vs. South Carolina Post-Game QuotesKentucky Head Coach Rich Brooks
“Obviously this was a very, very tough loss. We made almost as many
mistakes turning the ball over as we have in the last two weeks. The good
news is that we took it away from them as many times. If we’d only done it
one more time, it would have been a different outcome.”
More Big Blue blues
South Carolina football coach
Lou Holtz called it a drive of destiny. Destiny that the Gamecocks would
pull out a 12-7 heart-stopping win last night over the University of
Kentucky.
A game so bad, neither team wants to win it
Fumble -- South Carolina. Futility is as familiar a guest in Commonwealth
Stadium as UK super fan Jim Brown, of course. In 31-plus star-crossed
seasons, the haunted house on the University of Kentucky campus has been
home to some epic exhibitions of football follies.
Drop, wince, repeat
Not even five South
Carolina turnovers and a fourth-string quarterback could add up to a
Kentucky win last night. In what resembled a friendly game of pigskin hot
potato, UK and South Carolina combined to give the ball away nine times at
Commonwealth Stadium.
Cats punish selves in final minutes
Michael Rathe came to South Carolina as a hotshot
junior-college quarterback, but in two seasons with the Gamecocks, he'd
thrown just nine passes, none for touchdowns. But Saturday night, with the
game on the line, South Carolina coach Lou Holtz turned to Rathe.
Gamecocks finally finish off an opponent
THE GAME THAT should have been won much earlier
suddenly resembled a lost cause, and South Carolina's football season rested
on the slippery slope that leads to oblivion.
Three pivotal plays
Fumble recovery The situation. Early in the second
quarter, Kentucky takes the kickoff at its 28 after a Josh Brown field goal
gives USC a 3-0 lead.
Basketball
UK Basketball Notebook: Tweaking the madness?
UK officials insist they are considering - The
NCAA may take the midnight out of madness. Or at least make it possible to
stage a Madness celebration and get a good night's sleep.
2004-05 UK men's-schedule
All times Eastern;
schedule subject to change Date Opponent Site Time TV Nov. 3 x-NORTHERN KY.
Lexington 7 p.m. UKTV-delay Nov. 9 x-Kentucky WESLEYAN Lexington 7 p.m. UKTV
(10-16-04)
Football
UK 7 USC 12 (final)
Gamecocks edge Cats with late drive
Fourth-string quarterback Michael Rathe threw a 19-yard
touchdown pass to Troy Williamson with 1:28 left, lifting South Carolina to
a 12-7 win over Kentucky on Saturday night.
Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks tried to lighten the mood
surrounding UK's tenuous season Tuesday when he allowed the team to practice
outside in a pouring rain instead of inside the Nutter Field House.
How they'll try to stop Quarterback Shane Boyd
About Boyd: The 6-foot-2, 228-pound senior had one
of his few shining moments in last year’s 27-21 loss to USC. Boyd replaced
the injured Jared Lorenzen at the start of the fourth quarter and led a pair
of touchdown drives before the comeback fell short. Boyd accounted for 154
yards of offense and two touchdowns.
Cats' last stand?
Opportunities are running out
for Kentucky to pick up any positive momentum for the 2004 season. Have all
the distractions and losses taken their toll on the Wildcats? UK players
have seemingly hung their heads the past two weeks when things started to
snowball downhill. Do they still have the fortitude left to drudge their way
through the final half of the season. This will be the last home game before
a two-game road trip. Another dud tonight likely means a lot of empty seats
for the two-game November...
Kick at your own risk
Kentucky hasn't done
much to strike fear in anyone thus far in 2004, but the Cats have at least
given opposing coaches something to think about when they line up for a
field goal or extra point.
DEPTH CHARTS
South Carolina offense
Left tackle 78 Jabari Levey 6-7 330 Jr. 77 Woodly Telfort 6-7 320 Jr. Left
guard 60 Chris White 6-4 310 So.
Basketball
College
hoops is back ... and so is UK
The official start of Kentucky's 2004-05 season occurred with
not a single freshman on the floor. Not Randolph Morris. Not Joe Crawford.
Not Rajon Rondo. And not Ramel Bradley. They all had the same view at the
beginning of the Big Blue Madness scrimmage as movie star Ashley Judd and
the rest of the 10,000 or so fans who jammed into Memorial Coliseum.
It's Madness! It was "Big Blue Madness" once
again Friday night at Memorial Coliseum for the official opening of college
basketball season. The fun filled evening was packed with contests,
specially-made videos and spoof commercials, plus some special guests - like
former UK players Kenny Walker, Sam Bowie and Richie Farmer, plus famous
Cats fan Ashley Judd.
Big Blue Madness highlights Kentucky hoops' past, future
High-flying freshman Joe Crawford dazzled the
crowd with a double-pump reverse dunk, then got a personal congratulation
from actress Ashley Judd early Saturday during Big Blue Madness, the
ceremonial start to Kentucky's preseason basketball practice.
Bowie,
Judd enliven UK scene
More than 20 years have passed
since former University of Kentucky player Sam Bowie experienced his first
Midnight Madness. The elapsed time has done little to diminish his memory of
the event. "As an 18-year-old freshman, you're always anxious to show your
skills to the fans," Bowie said Friday night. "You get butterflies like it's
a Final Four. "It's a moment you never forget in your collegiate career."
Smith enjoys show at Kentucky's Big Blue Madness
If the University of Kentucky fans came to Big Blue Madness last night to
see a well-drilled, fundamentally sound basketball team, coach Tubby Smith
expected them to be sorely disappointed.
Madness multipliedWILDCATS FRESHMEN CRANK UP FANS' HIGH
EXPECTATIONS With several new faces and one
well-established expectation of greatness, Kentucky tipped off another
basketball season with Big Blue Madness last night.
(10-15-04)
Football
Coaches should bolster players, not blame them
Is it
possible that the Kentucky football program would do well to take a page
from the playbook of ... ... Rick Pitino? Believe it or not, I think so.
Why aren't Cats' best defenders playing better?
U of K's
defensive end Vincent "Sweet Pea" Burns is the leader of UK's defense. But
his status as the Wildcats' best player has taken more hits than Burns has
dished out through five games.
Woodyard pitches in on field and offFRESHMAN IS HELPING DRAW TALENT LIKE HIS TO
UK With the losses piling up and the fan base growing
more restless each week, Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks is hoping that the
future is one thing he can hang his hat on.
Strange
trip for walk-on starter
It was a decision Matt McCutchan didn't want to have to make -- play college
football or stay at the Naval Academy.
Basketball
Memorial madness comes to an end
While the
UK men's and women's basketball teams will celebrate new beginnings tonight
at Big Blue Madness, the night's festivities will also mark the end of an
era.
So much talent, so many questions
Kentucky
basketball has done plenty of winning lately. About the only way it could
have heightened its fans' sky-high expectations was to bring in, say, three
McDonald's All-Americans. Which it just has.
Freshmen must obey Tubby's law
No one is
bigger than UK basketball. Rashaad Carruth learned that the hard way.
The lessons he learned should not be lost on this year's class of big-name
recruits.
Cats hope to woo recruit at Madness
Midnight Madness annually kicks off the start of basketball season at the
University of Kentucky, where tonight fans can look forward to their first
glimpse of the nation's No.1 recruiting class.
Top prospect might skip tonight's MadnessBARBER'S FATHER DOUBTS FORWARD WILL BE IN
ATTENDANCE With or without its special guest, Kentucky
celebrates the return of basketball at tonight's annual Big Blue Madness.
Prospect Korvotney Barber, the high school player envisioned as a
replacement for Chuck Hayes in 2005-2006, was scheduled to attend Madness as
part of an official visit to UK this weekend. But Barber appeared to be
backing out of the visit.
Recruit cancels campus visit
Midnight Madness has traditionally been a prime recruiting tool for the
University of Kentucky where basketball, not football, is king. Coveted
players are invited on official visits the weekend of the event so the
coaches can talk to them about the program, take them around campus and show
them just how dedicated UK basketball fans are.
Madness finales might be tonight
Is it time to say goodbye to Midnight Madness? Maybe. Among the nearly 150
items proposed to pass into NCAA law for next year is one that will change
when NCAA Division I basketball teams can begin practice, from the current
"Saturday nearest to Oct. 15th," to "7 p.m. on the Friday nearest Oct.
15th."
(10-14-04)
Football
Kentucky Football Notebook - Oct. 14
Game
day information for the South Carolina Game: 1964 UK team honored ...
Honorary captains Rick Kestner, Talbott Todd, and Bill Jenkins ... Jason
Rollins and Dicky Lyons, Jr., game captains ... Tickets still available ...
Activities and honorees.
Shane Boyd is a fifth-year senior who finally won the
right to be the Kentucky quarterback during spring practice. Andre Woodson
is a raw redshirt freshman who is just getting his feet wet as a collegiate
quarterback.
Bizarre play took wind from Cats' sails
Two days after it happened, Kentucky coaches and
players still talked about a bizarre play that robbed the Wildcats of
momentum and sent them spiraling to a 45-17 loss to Alabama last Saturday.
Barnhart says dumping Brooks not the answer
The
University of Kentucky's football program has seen enough turmoil in recent
years, athletic director Mitch Barnhart said, and another coaching change is
not the solution for the struggling Wildcats.
UK's Brooks: Bear with us
University of Kentucky football coach
Rich Brooks is asking Wildcat football fans for a little patience. "I'm
disgruntled and unhappy," Brooks said when ask about disgruntled and unhappy
fans. "I don't blame them for being somewhat upset."
(10-13-04)
Wildcats massage message with $$$MEDIA WINDFALL GOOD FOR FANS, STUDENTS
An armored truck did not pull up to the University of
Kentucky yesterday and unload bars of Fort Knox gold as part of the new
cutting-edge, 10-year, $80-million media contract, but no one would have
been surprised if it had.
Questions and answers about what the UK deal means
The University of Kentucky announced yesterday that it will reap $80.5
million in the next 10 years from its new radio and television rights
contract. Here are some basic questions and answers about what this means.
UK lands $80 million marketing package
Promoting
it as one of the most lucrative multimedia marketing deals in the history of
college athletics, the University of Kentucky announced yesterday that it
has agreed to a 10-year contract with Host Communications and Gray
Television worth more than $80million.
Football
UK misses last season's Sweet PeaDEFENSIVE END'S NUMBERS FALLING SHORT
What's wrong with Sweet Pea? It's a question that's
starting to pop up more and more each week as the struggling Wildcats (1-4)
prepare to face South Carolina on Saturday night.
Archer would whisper if that would help
University of Kentucky defensive coordinator Mike Archer is known for his
demonstrative, in-your-face coaching style. His voice normally can be heard
above all others on the practice field. But with the Wildcats ranked last in
the SEC in rushing defense, last in total defense and last in scoring
defense, he's ready to try just about anything.
Basketball
Freshmen Women Featured in Live Chats Each
week leading up to the first regular season game against Butler, one of the
members of the sixth-ranked recruiting class in the country - the freshmen
on the women's basketball team - will sit down for a live chat on
ukathletics.com.
(10-12-04)
UK Awards Athletic Multimedia Rights to Host/Gray
The University of Kentucky has awarded Host
Communications Inc. and Gray Television Inc. the university's expanded
athletic multimedia marketing rights. Host, UK's radio and television
rights’ holder for most of the past three decades, will team up with
Lexington's top-rated television station, WKYT-TV, to pay the university
$80.5 million over the 10 years of the agreement, making it one of the most
lucrative deals of its kind in NCAA history.
This morning's quiz: Who has
the most impossible sales job in America? (A) The recruitment director of
Liberals for Bush; (B) The Budweiser distribution chief for the state of
Utah;
UK receiver Parker can carry a tune
Kentucky receiver Gerad Parker has been plagued
with bad luck when it comes to injuries during his collegiate career, but
he's had much better luck in another pursuit - karaoke contests.
Brooks says some fans expect too much
University
of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks went on the offensive yesterday at
his weekly news conference, saying he didn't create this probation-riddled
mess of a program but that he is trying to fix it.
Big Blue Nation, remember probationBROOKS REMINDS FANS OF PLIGHT AS HE, STAFF
TRY TO SHIFT COURSE Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks asked UK
fans for patience as he struggles to get the beleaguered Wildcats football
program on track. The Cats are 1-4 going into Saturday's homecoming game
with South Carolina and have compiled a 5-12 overall record during Brooks'
one-and-a-half seasons on the job.
Cats search for inspiration from Hollywood
Forget about running out on the field.
James "Radio" Kennedy really wanted to eat with the UK football team.
"He's a big eater," said UK receivers coach Joker Phillips.
Can USC rain on UK’s parade?After Mississippi rained on USC’s homecoming parade this
past weekend, the Gamecocks will get the chance to play spoiler at
Kentucky’s homecoming this weekend.
UK youth movement has already begunBrooks may simplify plays for Wildcats
With Kentucky struggling through a 1-4 campaign and with
Southeastern Conference powers Georgia, Auburn and Tennessee still
left on the schedule, it would seem the ideal time for Rich Brooks to go
with a youth movement and start planning for 2005.
Basketball
Blue-White tip-off time changed
Kentucky
basketball's annual Blue-White scrimmage in Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 23
will tip off at 4 p.m. instead of the originally scheduled 1 p.m. start.
(10-11-04)
Football
Cats Look to Break Slump Against South CarolinaCoach Brooks On what he would say to
fans after the team’s 1-4 start… “I’m disgruntled and unhappy. I
don’t blame them for being somewhat upset. Many of the problems are not of
my creation or our staff’s creation or these players’ creation. Many of the
problems that got us to this point occurred five years ago. The probation is
a problem. Anyone who understands recruiting and numbers has got to
understand it isn’t going to be fixed overnight. If you remember a pretty
happy evening in here after the Indiana game, I said that game was not the
sap that was going to heal all of our problems. We still have more problems
and they are very apparent now. At this point in time, I would ask maybe for
some patience, but I understand the frustration. I understand it totally …
But, the bottom line is we’ve got to keep working. We will come out of this.
The only thing I control is what I can do in preparing a team, trying to put
players in a position to make plays and assessing what is the best situation
to put them in to let them have success with their abilities.”
With Kentucky struggling through a 1-4 campaign and with
Southeastern Conference powers Georgia, Auburn and Tennessee still left on
the schedule, it would seem the ideal time for Rich Brooks to go with a
youth movement and start planning for 2005.
Wildcats
unable to stop Alabama
In what proved to be a microcosm
of the second half, Alabama punter Bo Freeland turned what could have been a
devastating mistake for the Crimson Tide into a momentum-turning play.
SEND IN THE FRESHMEN
Chances are it's not going to get much better. Not any
time soon. The 45-17 loss to visiting Alabama yesterday dropped Kentucky
football to 1-4. Six games remain. Four of the six are against arguably the
toughest opponents on the entire Cat schedule -- South Carolina, Auburn,
Georgia and Tennessee.
Cats can't stop 'em
It was the longest drive
in the history of football. It had to be. When Alabama started inside its
own 1-yard line early in the second quarter yesterday, the shadow of the tip
of the ball covered the goal line.
ERROR APPARENTCats
recycle losing formula: turnover after turnover It's
starting to look as if all you really need to do to tell the story of a
Kentucky football game is to change the name of the opponent, because it
seems as if the same thing happens every week.
shula in the stands
Legendary ex-Miami
Dolphins coach Don Shula was at Commonwealth Stadium yesterday to watch his
son, Mike, who's in his second year as head coach at Alabama.
'This probation is tough'A.D. mum on changes while stressing positives
A covey of copperhead snakes is less venomous than the atmosphere
around the Kentucky football program. A week ago, in that putrid loss to
Ohio, there seemed almost as many boos as blue in Commonwealth Stadium.
Basketball
Time Changed for Blue-White Scrimmage
Kentucky Basketball’s annual Blue-White scrimmage will take place on
Saturday, Oct. 23 at 1 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum. This is a change from the
previous announcement of a 4 p.m. tip-off. The time was moved up to 1 p.m.
in conjunction with the Tubby Smith Coaches Clinic, which is being held Oct.
22-23 in Lexington.
privacy vs. publicityThomas' injury underscores growing dilemma
in athletics When forward Sheray Thomas underwent surgery
last week, Kentucky intended to say nothing about the procedure. Anyone
mildly interested in big-time athletics knows that such silence is anything
but golden. Like air rushing into a vacuum, wild-eyed rumor fills the void.
(10-09-04)
Football
Turnovers Cost Cats Game vs. Tide
Alabama scored touchdowns on four straight second-half
possessions to stem a potential Kentucky rally and beat the Wildcats 45-17
on Saturday, snapping a two-game losing streak. The Crimson Tide (4-2, 2-2
Southeastern Conference) ran the ball on 63 of its 74 offensive plays,
finishing with 304 yards rushing. Ray Hudson had 99 yards and a touchdown on
18 carries before leaving the game in the third quarter with an apparent
knee injury. Kenneth Darby, who alternated with Hudson, ran for 99 yards and
two touchdowns on 18 carries.
Kentucky vs. Alabama Post-Game QuotesCoach Brooks, “This was a very
disappointing football game because we were hanging in there and actually
made a very good move before the half and took it down and put it in the
endzone. We did come back after we stumbled a little bit early (in the
second half) and got it to 17-14 and actually were in a very good position
to do things. We had them in punt formation and the punter was under duress.
If he had punted it, I think it would have been blocked. We put our heads
down and missed the tackle. He puts it down and gets the first down. That
was just the start of the bad news.”
Alabama enters Commonwealth Stadium as a 51/2-point
favorite against Kentucky this afternoon, but the best wager on the game
might be whether there'll be more punts than points.
Wildcats' Anderson sent back to bench
Dejected inside linebacker Chad Anderson dropped his head as he struggled to
put into words why he was no longer the leader of the University of
Kentucky's defense.
It's a long road for toxic twins
In a way, they
are two sides of the same coin. The fresh-from-the slammer way. Today's
Alabama-Kentucky game at Commonwealth Stadium is a matchup of programs
recently freed from the NCAA penitentiary, a pair of toxic twins finding
that after a stay in the gray-bar motel, reality is a long, hard road.
Booker to get start at linebacker
The Kentucky
coaching staff continues to shake up things at inside linebacker. Sophomore
Brad Booker will make his first career start this afternoon, replacing
junior Chad Anderson.
Tide should win; Auburn should rollAlabama's football fortunes are sliding, but surely
they're not sliding so far down that the Tide can't beat Kentucky.
Crimson Tide, UKats slump into SEC game
Unless Alabama can patch the bleeding quickly, the
Crimson Tide might be seeing its bowl dreams flash before its very eyes.
GAMES WITHIN THE GAMEBreaking down the Alabama-UK matchups
Today's game will be in competition with the first fall Saturday
at Keeneland, whose opening race begins shortly after kickoff. It will be
interesting to see how many of the 67,606 seats at Commonwealth Stadium are
actually filled. Kentucky and Alabama are a lot like the horses running
today: They need to get out of the gates quickly. Neither team has shown the
kind of offensive firepower necessary to dig itself out of an early hole.
Basketball
UK Basketball Finalizes 2004-2005 Schedule
Kentucky announced men’s basketball game times and
television assignments for its upcoming Southeastern Conference schedule
Friday. Once again this year, all 16 of the Wildcats’ league contests will
be televised as part of the SEC’s men’s basketball package. UK previously
announced game dates for its entire schedule and times for its
non-conference slate.
(10-08-04)
Football
Ohio linebacker commits to UK
Linebacker Ben Bates of Plain City, Ohio, has joined
Kentucky's 2005 football recruiting class.
Kentucky WRs sing butterfinger bluesCOACHES LOOK TO CURE EPIDEMIC OF DROPPED
BALLS
The dropsies. It's a plague that brings winces from head
coaches, offensive coordinators and wide receiver coaches on sidelines all
across America.
Crimson White Picks Alabama
Nothing cures your team's blues like a visit to the Bluegrass
State. Alabama has dominated the series with Kentucky to the tune of a
32-2-1 record. On top of that, the Wildcats are struggling again this season
(see their loss last week to MAC bottom-feeder Ohio).
No.13 is one lucky guy
Feeling sorry for
himself never has been an option for University of Kentucky receiver Gerad
Parker. "You always understand that somebody's got it worse than you do,"
Parker said.
Victories separated by a lifetime The
first time Kentucky beat Alabama in football, there was a 9-year-old boy in
the stands. He tagged along to old Stoll Field with his older brother, a UK
law student.
'Bama's Guillon feeling heat
Marc Guillon is
a sophomore at the University of Alabama, but he's already been around —
flinging footballs on the West Coast and the East Coast. And now he's in a
place where it's hard to imagine finding an Alabama quarterback: needing to
redeem himself — and his team — against Kentucky, which has beaten 'Bama
only twice in 35 tries.
ALABAMA (3-2, 1-2) at KENTUCKY (1-3, 0-1)
11:30 a.m. Saturday Commonwealth Stadium
Lexington, Ky. -- LINE: Alabama by 5 -- GAME WITHIN THE GAME:
Preseason All-SEC defensive end Vincent "Sweet Pea" Burns of Kentucky hasn't
gotten on track yet as he recovers from summer arthroscopic knee surgery and
double teams. His battle with Alabama's preseason All-SEC offensive tackle
Wesley Britt should offer the liveliest action of the day in a game that
promises to feature lots of running and rugged line play.
Big Blue Madness Ticket Distribution Saturday
Kentucky opens practice for the 2004-05 men’s and women’s
basketball season Friday, Oct. 15, as part of the 23rd-annual Big Blue
Madness festivities. Ticket distribution is Sat., Oct. 9 at 7 a.m.
The men's basketball Blue/White Scrimmage is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 23
at 4 p.m. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, Oct. 1.
Thomas
needs 4-6 weeks off
University of Kentucky sophomore
forward Sheray Thomas is expected to be discharged from the hospital this
weekend, UK officials said Thursday. Thomas, a 6-7 forward, had an
undisclosed operation at UK Hospital Wednesday, two days after his 20th
birthday.
(10-07-04)
Football
Kentucky Football Notebook
Kentucky
assistant coach Ron McBride was hospitalized Wednesday morning and had
surgery to relieve a blockage in an artery, Coach Rich Brooks announced
Wednesday ... Game day honorees and activities for the Alabama game.
Abren breaks through vs. OhioNose guard makes most of 2nd start
You have to look really hard to find bright spots from Kentucky's
28-16 loss to Ohio. But there was one. In just his second career start,
Ricky Abren. the 6-foot-2, 275-pound redshirt freshman nose tackle finished
with five tackles for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble. The performance
catapulted Abren into third among Southeastern Conference defenders in stops
behind the line of scrimmage.
Anderson, Kentucky face 'critical' week
Even when
he might be about to lose his job as a starting inside linebacker for
Kentucky's football team, Chad Anderson - whom his teammates call the "team
mouth" - will talk.
Tide, Wildcats in similar positions
Tide, Wildcats in similar positions
The bowl ban may be over, but the results remain. Scholarships are still in
short supply at Alabama. NCAA sanctions stripped those, along with other
penalties designed to force a program into rebuilding mode. For the Crimson
Tide, that means young players are forced to play early and the scout team
at practice is full of walk-ons.
Big plays are burying Wildcats
The
Kentucky Wildcats' offensive woes this season -- a combined 19 points in
three losses -- means little attention has been paid to their defensive
struggles.
LINEBACKER COACH HAS HEART SURGERY
Kentucky inside linebacker coach Ron McBride remains hospitalized after
undergoing surgery to relieve a blocked artery yesterday morning and will
miss the Alabama game Saturday.
Basketball
Undisclosed surgery sidelines forwardThomas may be back before season starts
University of Kentucky forward Sheray Thomas will be sidelined for at
least a month after undergoing surgery Wednesday.
UK
basketball player undergoes surgery
University of Kentucky sophomore basketball player Sheray Thomas underwent
surgery of an undisclosed nature Wednesday at University of Kentucky
Hospital.
(10-06-04)
Football
Wildcats are giving up big plays
One
of Mike Archer's primary goals when he took over as the University of
Kentucky's defensive coordinator was to limit opponents' big plays. The
Wildcats improved in that category in 2003, limiting teams to 11 plays of 40
yards or longer, down from an average of 16 the previous two seasons.
Taking A Cut
I might
be one of the few who still like Rich Brooks. But, there is a strong
philosophical difference in what needs to be done in today’s world of
college football.
UK not alone in offensive woesALABAMA HAS HAD TROUBLE SCORING SINCE QB
CROYLE WAS INJURED Take heart, Kentucky football fans.
Your team's offense isn't the only one going through major struggles these
days. Alabama will roll into Commonwealth Stadium to face UK Saturday having
scored just one touchdown during its current two-game losing streak.
Kentucky coach asks for assistance
Just as
Alabama coach Mike Shula and his team faced heavy criticism following
Saturday's 20-3 loss to South Carolina, so did Kentucky coach Rich Brooks
and the Wildcats following a 28-16 home loss to Ohio.
University of Kentucky Notebook
Mitchell
becoming a top target Receiver Scott Mitchell, a junior-college transfer
who has moved into the starting lineup with Glenn Holt, caught four passes
for 45 yards to lead the Cats in receptions and receiving yards against
Ohio.
(10-05-04)
Football
Finding Right Man, Right Plan Has Eluded UK Football for Decades
As
the Ohio Bobcats put the finishing touches on their upset victory over the
Wildcats Saturday night, what few Kentucky fans remaining in Commonwealth
Stadium no doubt entertained some form of a question that visits, and
re-visits, UK football as often as an obnoxious relative: How did it come to
this?
Archer - 'This is as low as it gets'
Kentucky's offensive woes this season may have been worse than anticipated,
but the UK offense was not supposed to be the team's strength
Cats' system broken
The
system is broken and it needs to be fixed, soon. The University of
Kentucky football program is bleeding and the coaching staff is fighting for
their lives after the school suffered its most embarrassing loss in a decade
during a 28-16 setback to Mid-American Conference member Ohio.
Rich
Brooks was watching the news over the weekend when he saw a news report that
stated that today's generation of young people are the most highly skilled,
technological generation in the history of America.
Brooks still has his sense of humor
The biggest development from the University of Kentucky's weekly football
news conference yesterday was that coach Rich Brooks found a reason to
laugh: UK's 28-16 loss to Ohio University.
UK GIVING FAN BASE REASON TO ROAR
"It's a strange place when you've got a team and their fans are booing them
early. It shocked me that they turned on them so early."
UK football is a mess, more or less
More always has been the operating philosophy for the University of Kentucky
football program. More facilities. More luxury suites. More requests for
donations. More money for tickets. More calls for patience. Less
always has been the operating philosophy for UK football fans.
(10-04-04)
Football
Kentucky/South Carolina Game Not Picked up by TV
The
South Carolina at Kentucky football game on Oct. 16 was not selected for
live telecast, the Southeastern Conference has announced. The game will
remain a 7 p.m. EDT kickoff at Commonwealth Stadium. The game will be a
delayed telecast on the UKTV Network.
On
Alabama… “Certainly, the losses in the last two weeks have set them back
a little, but we’re still looking at a team that is fourth in the nation in
total defense and third in pass defense.
Looking
downfield, Shane Boyd walked to the sideline in disbelief. Any
chance of a UK comeback had just slipped through junior receiver Scott
Mitchell's hands.
This
was supposed to be a pivotal week for the Kentucky football team, a week
that was supposed to present an opportunity to knock off a big-name
conference opponent (Alabama) and get above the .500 mark.
UK coaches haven't lived up to hype
After hiring Rich Brooks two years ago, Kentucky athletics director Mitch
Barnhart opened the purse strings and spent liberally on staff. By the time
UK's nine assistants were hired, spinners were lauding the Brooks' bunch as
maybe the best Wildcat staff ever to wear a set of whistles.
Newsworthy Cats from the Past
Wherever he played, Shidler was a winner
Predictably, Jay Shidler says playing on an NCAA championship team as a
sophomore at the University of Kentucky “tops the list,” when it comes to
his basketball accomplishments.
(10-03-04)
Football
Cats Fall to Ohio, 28-16
Scott Mayle caught touchdown passes of 44 and 89 yards as
Ohio posted a rare win over a major-conference opponent, beating Kentucky
28-16 on Saturday night.
Ohio rolls to 28-16 win over Kentucky
Only
in the worst-case scenario for the University of Kentucky's football season
did a one-sided loss to Ohio University even remotely enter the picture.
Woodson capitalizes on extra chance
Andre
Woodson's much-anticipated debut as a University of Kentucky quarterback
appeared to be much ado about nothing when the redshirt freshman appeared
for three plays in the first half.
Kentucky vs. Ohio Post-Game Quotes
Head Coach Rich BrooksOn the loss…
“There’s no other way to put it. This was a very, very tough loss. I’d
like to give Ohio credit. Their defense was ranked No. 25 in the nation
coming in and I think you could see that even with a couple of starters out
that they were able to create takeaways and turnovers. It’s almost like we
went down the field a little too easy early on and then it became a lot more
difficult. We had lots of chances on the offensive side to make plays. Not
only did we not make them but it was almost like we put a ribbon on it and
presented the ball to Ohio. We dropped passes that should have been caught
for pretty good gains and maybe even some scores and ended up turning the
ball over. It’s just not very good. Obviously, this is in my mind about as
bad as we can get. We better start climbing out of the hole because we’ve
dug ourselves into a pretty ugly one right now. We’ve got to go back to the
drawing board. Players have to understand how important practice is. We
practiced a little better on the offensive side. We didn’t practice as well
on the defensive side this week as we need to. I have to be able to get the
message across to them even though I thought I had convinced them this was
going to be a tough game. Obviously I failed in that regard, so that’s my
responsibility. Again, you’ve got to give Ohio credit. They played with a
lot of fight, a lot of heart and they took it to us. They made some plays
and obviously we didn’t.”
O.U. gotta be kiddingSad but true: Cats take pounding on both
sides from perennial pushover
Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks was hoping last night would be the night it all
came together for his inconsistent ball club. Instead, everything fell
apart.
Highlights and horrors
Hardinsburg collector boasts library of UK football tapes dating to 1940s
Bobcats knock off Kentucky
Scott Mayle's second career performance in as many football
games gave Ohio one of the biggest wins in the program's history.
Lay the blame for UK's egg at the topBROOKS IS THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING HIS
TEAM READY The throwback game was a throw-up game.
Throwing up undoubtedly being what Coach Rich Brooks felt like doing for
much of last night as Kentucky football went back, back, back to 1971.
Fans turn on the Cats, fire up the Bobcats
Apparently Ohio Coach Brian Knorr doesn't have much faith in Kentucky
football fans. Knorr said he told his team before the game that if it could
do some good things early that the Commonwealth Stadium crowd would turn on
the home team, and then ripped the Wildcat faithful in his post-game news
conference.
Basketball
If you can't say anything good ...
It's a starkly
different challenge facing Tubby Smith this winter, of course. Tubby's best
Kentucky teams -- 1998, 2003, 2004 -- have always been long on veteran savvy
and defensive grit.
Newsworthy Cats from the Past
Conley saluted for more than hoopsUK
COLLEGE TO RECOGNIZE POLITICAL SCIENCE GRADUATE TURNED BROADCASTER
Rupp Runt Larry Conley figures to double his pleasure during
Kentucky's Midnight Madness weekend. He will be inducted into the UK College
of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame on the evening of Oct. 15. Later that
night he'll go to Memorial Coliseum to serve as a host for Madness.
(10-02-04)
Football
Ohio 28 UK 16 (final)
Cats looking for uniform performanceOFFENSE, DEFENSE NOT ON SAME PAGE IN UK'S
UNEVEN SEASON
Commonwealth Stadium will be surrounded with the
throwback theme tonight. Not only will the Kentucky football players be
sporting vintages uni's, but the cheerleaders will be outfitted in uniforms
from the 1970s.
LB switch isn't by the numbers
Chad Anderson
is a perfect example of how numbers don't mean everything. Despite leading
UK in tackles its first two games, the junior inside linebacker found
himself benched in favor of Dustin Williams for last week's game at Florida.
GAMES WITHIN THE GAMES
UK fans will get their
first look at backup quarterback Andre Woodson tonight, as Coach Rich Brooks
has pledged to get the redshirt freshman in for at least a series in the
first half.
Kentucky dreams of IU-like offense In what Kentucky is billing as a "throwback" game,
complete with old-fashioned jerseys and helmets, the Wildcats hope they can
turn back the clock two weeks when they host Ohio today.
Turning back clock in press boxIT'S TIME TO BREAK OUT THE FLOWERY PROSE
Back by popular demand -- OK, so demand might be a bit of an
overstatement, and popular a bit of a stretch -- Dr. Football returns from a
one-week respite fresh with answers to selected pigskin queries:
51-yard field goal special for Begley
The difference between a 49-yard kick and a
50-yard kick is only one yard. To a kicker, though, it's a huge difference.
UK's Boyd hasn't got time for pain
The
painful bruise to University of Kentucky quarterback Shane Boyd's left
shoulder wasn't caused by just one hit.
Numbers down, but Burns 'doing job'
Early-season numbers might suggest that Sweet Pea Burns
has been a little slow out of the gate. Burns, a pre-season Lombardi Award
candidate at Kentucky, has just eight tackles, one tackle for loss and no
sacks through three games. He has been a two-time All-Southeastern
Conference performer who has racked up 32.5 tackles for loss the last two
seasons, including 10 in 12 games in 2003.
UK's run defense among most porous
Ohio University
has restructured its offense to become more of a passing threat, but the
University of Kentucky's defenders expect the Bobcats to run the ball more
tomorrow night. UK (1-2) has allowed the opponent's leading rusher to gain
more than 100 yards every game.
Basketball
UK eyes
Ga. prep star
Add Curtis Brown to the short list of
players being recruited by the University of Kentucky from the class of
2005. UK head coach Tubby Smith went to see Brown, a 6-9 center at Mt. Olive
Prep (Marietta, Ga.) last week.
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