October 2006 WildcatZone.Com News Archive (10-31-06)                                        Happy Halloween!!    Football Is the Bear to blame?    We enlist ghost hunters to determine if stadium is haunted    Double, double, toil and trouble, there is an edifice familiar to us all that is said to be under the spell of a vengeful curse. Myself, I've never much believed in ghosts. Brooks still irked by Lyons' words     Kentucky got a much-needed road win, thanks in large part to a dazzling one-handed touchdown grab by Dicky Lyons Jr., but coach Rich Brooks was still irked Monday by Lyons' words a week earlier predicting a lopsided victory. Alfonso Smith knew his chance would come    Alfonso Smith insisted he never worried that he might not get his chance to show what he could do at Kentucky. Uneven offense plagues Georgia    CATS PLAN TO MAKE MOST OF DOGS' TURNOVER WOES    Mark Richt isn't used to this. The Georgia coach is accustomed to spending his Novembers fighting to get into the Southeastern Conference Championship game, not to stay out of the bottom half of the SEC East. Cats quiet as a mouse about these Bulldogs    You assume that when Georgia visits Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday, the University of Kentucky football team will be confident it can win. You will have to assume this. The Wildcats certainly aren't going to tell you. Chandler replaces Milner    Georgia's co-leader in receptions and touchdown catches has been demoted after again having trouble holding on to the ball. Soccer Men O'Neill Earns Weekly Honors    Kentucky senior striker Riley O’Neill has earned Conference USA Player of the Week honors and he has also been named to the collegesoccernews.com National Team of the Week, it was announced Monday. Volleyball Wildcats Travel to Tennessee Wednesday    Fresh off a weekend sweep of Ole Miss and Mississippi State, the Kentucky volleyball team travels to Knoxville, Tenn., on Wednesday looking to sweep the season series with the Lady Vols. Opening serve between the Cats and Tennessee is set for 7 p.m. in Stokely Athletics Center. Men Mason's Miller a priority for Smith    Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith spent last Friday watching high school football. (10-30-06)   Football Defense alarms Kentucky    Two weeks ago, Georgia coach Mark Richt suggested that Mississippi State could turn on film of his team's loss to Vanderbilt and there would be no intimidation factor. Brooks says Cats have no reason to be overconfident    Kentucky is coming off a rare Southeastern Conference road victory and goes into November without a losing record. Burton Named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week    Wide receiver/kick returner Keenan Burton was named Southeastern Conference Special Teams Player of the Week by the league office for his performance in Saturday’s 34-31 win at Mississippi State. Burton named SEC special teams POW   University of Kentucky wide receiver Keenan Burton on Monday was named the Southeastern Conference special teams player of the week. Lyons' Incredible Catch Keys Kentucky Victory    Whether you consider it a great catch or just a routine grab, Dicky Lyons, Jr.'s touchdown reception in Starkville Saturday was a key play in Kentucky's SEC road victory. Wildcats to Face Georgia for Homecoming    Coming off its fourth win of the season, the Kentucky football team returns home to face Georgia on Homecoming weekend in Lexington. The Wildcats are 3-1 at home this season and look to carry the momentum into a 1 p.m. showdown with the Bulldogs. Smith to start at tailback   SELDOM-USED FRESHMAN SOLID AT STARKVILLE   Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks will be doing some major depth chart shuffling as his team prepares for its biggest stretch of the season. Freshman RB earns praise from Brooks     Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson threw for three touchdowns in Saturday's win over Mississippi State, but it was freshman running back Alfonso Smith whose performance impressed coach Rich Brooks. Waggener product Smith might start for UK    A breakout game and a broken-down backfield could lead to a start for University of Kentucky tailback Alfonso Smith. Smith, a redshirt freshman from Waggener High School, rushed for 92 yards Saturday in UK's 34-31 victory at Mississippi State. Soccer Women Wildcat Soccer Defeats Arkansas 1-0    Two weeks ago, the Kentucky women’s soccer team was on the outside looking in at the 2006 SEC Soccer tournament, now with a 1-0 victory over the Arkansas Lady Razorbacks, the Wildcats are the overall second seed in the tournament. Volleyball Heather Hausfeld Named SEC Freshman of the Week    Kentucky middle blocker Heather Hausfeld has been named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week for volleyball. This is the first SEC honor for Hausfeld and the third time a UK player has earned the honor this season. Wildcats Sweep Mississippi State, 3-0    Junior middle blocker Nicole Britenriker posted a match-high 16 kills on Sunday, Oct. 29, and Kentucky extended its winning streak against Mississippi State to 14 matches with a 3-0 (30-27, 30-24, 30-26) win in Memorial Coliseum. Baseball Cohen knows numbers    Numbers are a big part of the game for any Division I baseball coach. However, it's not just the numbers on the field that matter. If anything, the off-field numbers might be even more important. Black Evens Fall World Series with 8-1 Win    The Kentucky Black squad earned a 8-1 win in game two of the UK Fall World Series to even the series 1-1, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Cliff Hagan Stadium. (10-29-06)   Football Woodson thinks time is right to upset Dawgs    Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson had his best day in nearly a month yesterday, passing for 284 yards and three scores in UK's 34-31 win over Mississippi State. Up next Georgia at Kentucky    Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks and offensive coordinator Joker Phillips will both tell you that sophomore receiver Dicky Lyons Jr. drives them crazy at times. Road win has Cats prepared for takeoff    'WINNABLE GAME' ACTUALLY IS FOR UK    Now they know what it's like to fly the friendly skies. "We were just talking in there," said Mike Archer, the defensive coordinator, having exited the joyous, victorious Kentucky locker room. "Nobody in that locker room has been on an airplane home with a win since we've been here." LYONS BACKS IT UP    Receiver has 8 catches, one TD    Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks and offensive coordinator Joker Phillips will both tell you that sophomore receiver Dicky Lyons Jr. drives them crazy at times. Kentucky 34, Mississippi St. 31   Andre Woodson threw for 284 yards and three touchdowns, and Kentucky held off Mississippi State 34-31 on Saturday. Wildcats hold on for critical victory    Backup Smith helps UK defeat Bulldogs    Technically, it wasn't a must-win. Mathematically the University of Kentucky football team could have lost yesterday to Mississippi State and remained in contention for bowl eligibility. But after a 34-31 win in front of 37,834 fans at Scott Field, the Wildcats admitted the game might have been a season-saver. Lyons catches flak, lots of passes    Dicky Lyons Jr. made all his noise on the field yesterday.    The University of Kentucky wide receiver caused a stir with his comments last week about Mississippi State. Soccer Men O'Neill Scores Twice to Lead Soccer Past Memphis    In the regular-season finale, senior Riley O’Neill scored twice and the 14th-ranked Kentucky soccer team put on a clinic in a dominating 3-1 victory over Memphis on a crisp Saturday night at the UK Soccer Complex. Men Ex-Cats on opposite ends of NBA life    BOGANS WORKS FOR WHAT WALKER HAS    Antoine Walker is a champion living the good life in south Florida. Keith Bogans has the satisfaction that comes with the payoff on hard work. University of Kentucky Basketball Notebook    Former Purdue coach Gene Keady used to talk a lot about "flying a jet." He meant it in reference to the way a basketball coach would navigate a season. For Tubby Smith, the phrase might be more literal one day. (10-28-06)   Football Wildcats Even Record With 34-31 Win At Mississippi State    Andre Woodson threw for 284 yards and three touchdowns, and Kentucky held off Mississippi State 34-31 on Saturday. Banged-up D-line nearly healed   FOUR WILDCAT TACKLES HAVE MISSED TIME WITH INJURIES   Defensive tackle is probably the least glamorous position on the football field. They're forced to do the dirty work inside, locking up with humongous offensive guards to free up the linebackers to make tackles. They also don't get as many opportunities for sacks as the defensive ends. Big Blue Meter    While a loss technically wouldn't eliminate Kentucky from bowl eligibility, the negative aura that would accommodate it might be more than Rich Brooks and the Wildcats could overcome. Brooks certain UK will be ready    Rich Brooks has his concerns.  The University of Kentucky football coach has the 119th-ranked defense in NCAA Division I-A (out of 119 teams) and the worst rushing offense in the Southeastern Conference. Volleyball Wildcats Best Ole Miss, 3-1    Freshman outside hitter Heather Hausfeld registered a career-high 16 kills Friday night, Oct. 27, and Kentucky recorded its best hitting efficiency (.311) in six matches as the Wildcats defeated Ole Miss 3-1 (30-19, 28-30, 30-21, 30-24) in Memorial Coliseum. Soccer Men Soccer Wraps Up Regular Season with Memphis    The 14th-ranked Kentucky soccer team takes its shot at the Conference USA championship on Saturday at 7 p.m. when it hosts Memphis in both team’s regular-season finale at the UK Soccer Complex. Women Wildcats Earn SEC Tournament Berth with 1-0 Win    The Kentucky women’s soccer team earned their SEC record 14th consecutive SEC Tournament berth as they defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores (10-4-5, 6-3-2) 1-0 at the UK Soccer Complex. Men SEC boasts five teams in Top 25    The University of Kentucky was ranked No. 22 in the first USA Today/ESPN men's college basketball poll of the season released yesterday. Baseball Cats optimistic as fall practice ends   Fans will see new team at Sunday's scrimmage    A dozen lettermen, including five starters, gone. Two-thirds of the weekend pitching rotation, gone. So what's next for a Kentucky baseball program that had a school-record 44 wins last season? (10-27-06)   Football Cats 'control' their destiny    Kentucky center Matt McCutchan wanted a sixth year of eligibility this year because he was convinced the Wildcats would have a better football team this year. Struggling Kentucky, Mississippi St. Looking for Precious SEC Win    The wins aren't coming fast enough. The coaches are being criticized by a Greek chorus of fans. Patience is no longer a virtue. And sometimes the scoring margins are embarrassingly large. Lyons' boast irks Brooks    RECEIVER SAYS CONFIDENCE, NOT DISRESPECT, WAS HIS INTENT    The loquacious Dicky Lyons Jr. has never been afraid to stir the pot. But Lyons might have stirred things up a bit too much with comments he made at Rich Brooks' weekly press conference on Monday. Schuler coping after end of career    Concussions force Cat to give up game    University of Kentucky linebacker Joe Schuler knew he would eventually confront life after football. He just didn't expect it to be quite this soon. Volleyball Wildcats Return Home To Host Mississippi Schools    The Kentucky volleyball team looks to return to its winning ways this weekend when it plays host to the Magnolia State schools in a pair of matches in Memorial Coliseum. The Wildcats host Ole Miss at 7 p.m. Friday and Mississippi State at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Men UK No. 22 in coaches' poll    The University of Kentucky was ranked No. 22 in the first USA Today/ESPN men's college basketball poll of the season released today. Conley thinks Morris is among SEC's elite    After putting two teams in the Final Four last year, expectations are soaring for the Southeastern Conference this year. Balance again the key in SEC    Defending national champion Florida, as expected, was made an overwhelming favorite to win the Southeastern Conference championship this year. Cats net one first-place vote    For the first time since 2002, a pre-season media vote did not make Kentucky the favorite to win the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division championship. Two Kentucky coaches should fear Rondo    HE MIGHT EMBARRASS THEM    The average Kentuckian follows the NBA with roughly the same passion they bring to patronizing French existential theater. This winter, two fairly well-known residents of our state -- chaps named Pitino and Smith -- should hope there is no exit to the commonwealth's indifference toward pro hoops. SEC teams think big, for good reason    FLORIDA HAS THREE WITH POTENTIAL TO REACH NBA    Mississippi State Coach Rick Stansbury figured that the Southeastern Conference would boast "eight to 10" big men in the league this season who might play in the NBA someday. (10-26-06)   Soccer Men Baum Heads No. 14 Soccer Past Tulsa    Mathew Baum found the back of the net in the 64th minute and the 14th-ranked Kentucky soccer team went on to a 1-0 road win at Conference USA foe Tulsa on Wednesday night. Women Wildcats Host Vanderbilt in Crucial Match    In one of the most tightly contested league races in memory, the Kentucky women’s soccer team hosts the Vanderbilt Commodores in a match that will go a long way in determining participants in the 2006 SEC Tournament. Football Larry's Picks: Cats ease by Mississippi State    Kentucky's game at Mississippi State Saturday won't have any implications on the Southeastern Conference race, but it certainly could be a program-changing game for the Wildcats. UK bowl hopes hinge on make-or-break month    Saturday's trip to Mississippi State isn't just a must-win game for the Rich Brooks bunch. It's the beginning of a must-win month. Bulldogs see themselves in Cats    BATTLE FOR RESPECT ALL TOO FAMILIAR TO STATE    It's a plot all too familiar to Kentucky football fans. A struggling program on the verge of a marquee win only to shoot itself in the foot at the end. Men UK picked to finish behind Florida in SEC East    The University of Kentucky men’s basketball team was picked to finish second in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference in a poll of media members released Thursday. SEC coaches not counting out Wildcats    A year ago, no one was predicting that Florida would take a sophomore-dominated team and win the national championship. Tennesee's Pearl says fans should drop Lofton issue    Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl says Kentucky fans should stop questioning why Tubby Smith didn't recruit Mason County standout Chris Lofton. Top-floor view vanishes for UK    CATS NO LONGER THE MOST FEARED TEAM IN SEC    Kentucky got tense at the Southeastern Conference Basketball Media Days yesterday. Past tense, that is. UK's glorious domination of the league seemed yellowed and tattered as defending national champion Florida, Final Four participant Louisiana State, plus talented and experienced Alabama took center stage. UK one of many at league table    For once, Cats playing catch-up in conference    Tubby Smith was being asked again about the attention heaped on Southeastern Conference competitors Florida and Louisiana State, and he couldn't help but chuckle. The University of Kentucky men's basketball coach glanced around his table at SEC Media Days yesterday, and if he'd counted, he'd have seen 14 reporters awaiting his answer. Analyst says fans shouldn't fret over prospects defecting    Clark Francis, editor and publisher of The Hoop Scoop, has a one-word message for University of Kentucky and Louisville fans squirming over the recent news that three top in-state prospects have decided to play college basketball out of state: Exhale. Bradley's game OK with Smith    New Kentucky point guard Ramel Bradley called into question his pass-first credentials by launching 21 shots in the Blue-White Game last weekend. Women UK women picked to finish 5th in SEC    Coming off the program’s best finish in 16 years, the Kentucky women’s basketball team was picked to finish fifth in the 12-team Southeastern Conference preseason media voting, it was announced Thursday at the league’s annual media days. It was the highest preseason pick for the Wildcats in school history. DeMoss: Expect more this season    CONFIDENCE SHOULD FOLLOW SUCCESS OF UK WOMEN    Kentucky women's basketball coach Mickie DeMoss welcomes the pressure that comes with returning all five starters from the program's winningest team since 1989-90. (10-25-06)   Football Brooks says Mississippi State is a big game    Kentucky coach Rich Brooks isn't worried about his team being "flat or rusty" Saturday at Mississippi State after not having a game last week. Cats get tough on each other    PRACTICES FOCUS ON RUNNING, PHYSICALITY    No Kentucky coach or player would come out and directly say it, but while basking in some of the success of its free-wheelin', pass-happy, shotgun offense, the Wildcats may have grown a little soft. University of Kentucky Football Notebook    UK not married to the shotgun    So far, quarterback Andre' Woodson has been the steadiest part of UK's offense. But with the Wildcats struggling to score, even Woodson will be asked to make some adjustments. Men UK Recruit To Play in Lexington    Four of the nation’s top prep programs will battle four of the best Kentucky teams in the second annual Nissan on Nicholasville Shootout, Jan. 5-6, 2007 at Lexington Catholic High School, Knights coach Brandon Salsman announced Tuesday. Top prospects to play in Lexington    MAYO, PATTERSON FACE LEX. CATHOLIC, SCOTT CO.    High school basketball phenom O.J. Mayo and University of Kentucky recruiting target Patrick Patterson will be playing twice in Lexington this season. Junior prospect Hopson picks Mississippi State    SAYS UK DIDN'T SHOW ENOUGH INTEREST    The second of Kentucky's three high-profile junior basketball prospects has committed to an out-of-state school. Scotty Hopson, a 6-foot-6 guard from University Heights Academy, committed to Mississippi State on Monday night. Last week, Scott County's Bud Mackey committed to Indiana. There's good and bad for UK hoops    BUT EARLY OPINIONS DON'T COUNT    Random notes: Five early-bird UK basketball opinions based on last Saturday's scrimmage, on which you should never base opinions: 1. The best characteristic of this freshman class is that it rarely tries to do something it is not capable of doing. Morris set on getting better    Hopes to finally live up to hype    Three years ago everybody was talking about Randolph Morris. Now a junior center on the University of Kentucky men's basketball team, he then was a high school senior and one of the nation's most sought-after prospects. Kentucky, N.Y. stars commit to Notre Dame    A top contender for Kentucky's Mr. Basketball title and a 6-foot-7 swingman from New York have given verbal commitments to play at Notre Dame next season. (10-24-06)   Football Aitcheson, White are This Week’s Game Captains    Senior offensive guard Michael Aitcheson and senior defensive end Durrell White have been named game captains for Saturday’s game at Mississippi State. Mississippi State Trying to Swallow Disappointment in Georgia Loss    The brawn and bravura surrounding college football sometimes hides the fact that emotion drives the sport.Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom was reminded of this Saturday when he saw tears in the locker room following his team's loss to Georgia despite a chance to win on the final play. That's a good sign for the Bulldogs, who must quickly rally and prepare for this Saturday's game with Southeastern Conference foe Kentucky in Starkville. Wildcats need win in drive for bowl    As wide receiver Dicky Lyons Jr. waited to talk with reporters Monday, he thumbed through the stat book to find where Kentucky ranks among others in the Southeastern Conference. Football worked out for Booker    Karl Booker is busy preparing to play football for Kentucky against Mississippi State Saturday in what could be the turning point of UK's season. Schuler Gives up Football    Linebacker Joe Schuler has decided to give up football because of recurring problems with concussions ... Georgia game not selected for live TV. Wildcats Seeking Road Win in Starkville    The Kentucky football team seeks its first road win of the season Saturday when it travels to Starkville, Miss., to take on Mississippi State. Click to read Monday's news conference quotes. Brooks shows class, honor under fire    The coaching faults of Rich Brooks have become a familiar local litany. Well into his fourth year at Kentucky with zero meaningful victories. Overall record of 12-29. Presiding officer of UK football when Commonwealth Stadium officially became a "buzz-free" zone. Bozich: Require Brooks to beat Georgia or Tennessee    What University of Kentucky football fans want from Rich Brooks is their snapshot moment. The game that stirs them into believing Kentucky can make the same escape from NoWhereVille that Rutgers, Missouri and others are making. Off-week strategy for Cats: Get mad    Apparently the University of Kentucky football team's off-week turned into a ticked-off week. Cats eager to kick off 'five-game season'    If you think the Kentucky football team is down in the dumps or feeling sorry for itself heading into this Saturday's pivotal game at Mississippi State, think again. Men Crawford earning more trust    The change was based on instinct and feel, rather than an explicit instruction. On several trips up the court, University of Kentucky junior guard Joe Crawford was the primary ball-handler directing his teammates where to set up instead of just waiting for the point guard to find him. Turning point    Never-shy Bradley adjusts to new role as floor general    New floor leader Ramel Bradley figured to need time to change his scorer's mentality to the pass-first mindset of a point guard. So, no shock that he filled the air with shots in Kentucky's Blue-White Scrimmage on Saturday. Morris is Cats' lone selection    For the first time, Kentucky failed to place a player on the coaches' first-team All-Southeastern Conference Pre-season team. Big man Randolph Morris made the second team in this third year of voting for all-league players by the coaches. Women Mahoney Named to Preseason All-SEC Second Team    Junior Kentucky guard Samantha Mahoney (Detroit) was named to the 2006-07 preseason All-Southeastern Conference team the league office announced Tuesday. For the second consecutive season Mahoney was selected to the conference’s preseason second team. (10-23-06)   Soccer Women Ogundele Honored for Perfect Weekend    Kentucky senior goalie Anne Ogundele has been named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week as well as being named to the Top Drawer National Team of the Week. In addition the Kentucky-Vanderbilt game has been moved to 7:00 p.m. ET. Women’s Soccer Plays to 0-0 Tie at Ole Miss    The Kentucky women’s soccer team (9-6-3, 4-3-2) played to its second tie in conference play this year, recording a 0-0 draw against SEC West leader Ole Miss (7-6-5, 3-2-5). Volleyball Volleyball Drops 3-1 Decision at Arkansas    The University of Kentucky volleyball team fell 3-1 (23-30, 30-28, 21-30, 28-30) at Arkansas today, Oct. 22, to move to 12-8 on the year and 5-7 in the Southeastern Conference. Men No UK players make first team on pre-season all-SEC roster     For the first time, Kentucky failed to place a player on the coaches' first-team All-Southeastern Conference Pre-Season team. Morris Named 2nd Team Pre-Season All-SEC by League Coaches    UK center Randolph Morris was the only Wildcat named to the Southeastern Conference coaches' pre-season All-SEC squad. Morris was named to the second team. UK's Stevenson learns to adjust his play    The first time University of Kentucky Perry Stevenson faced Randolph Morris on the court, he knew he wasn't playing high school basketball anymore. Perry picks up where he left off    Like an enticing movie trailer that gives a hint of a good storyline without revealing the entire plot, Bobby Perry left University of Kentucky fans wanting more after he had two impressive games in the NCAA tournament. Baseball Baseball Head Coach John Cohen Press Conference Quotes    Click to read Kentucky baseball head coach John Cohen's press conference quotes ... Baseball to Conclude Fall Practice with World Series    The 2006 SEC Champion Kentucky baseball team will conclude its fall practice season at 1 p.m. Sunday with an intra-squad game for spectators at Cliff Hagan Stadium. (10-22-06)   Soccer Men O'Neill Lifts No. 17 Soccer to Win Over FIU    Senior Riley O’Neill headed home the game-winning goal in the 102nd minute to lift 17th-ranked Kentucky to a 2-1 double-overtime victory over Florida International on Saturday night at the UK Soccer Complex. O'Neill heads winner for Wildcats, 2-1 in OT    University of Kentucky senior Riley O'Neill headed home the game-winning goal in the 102nd minute to lift the 17th-ranked Wildcats men's soccer team to a 2-1 overtime victory over visiting Florida International. Football Freshman stands out on field and off    HAIR STYLE, BELIEFS MAKE COBB UNIQUE    It could be the long, permed-out hair that flows down to his shoulders. Or maybe it's his unique style of dress or high-pitched voice. Football getting fair share    UK HASN'T BEEN FAVORING HOOPS OVER GRIDIRON    Welcome back to Kentucky's sports quiz show sensation: Truth Or Nonsense. Issue One: The imminent opening of the University of Kentucky's new $30 million basketball practice facility (plus new offices for Mitch Barnhart and Co.) shows again that decision makers at UK always emphasize hoops over football. Cats having trouble with state's top prospects    The Kentucky football program has gotten off to a rough start on the in-state recruiting front for 2007, as many of the top prospects in the Bluegrass have opted elsewhere. Men Crawford comes out White hot    GRITTY GUARD SCORES GAME-HIGH 29    The Joe Crawford who drifted through his first two Kentucky seasons asserted himself early and often in yesterday's Blue-White Scrimmage. UK shot better, played hard in scrimmage    Two things that might not seem all that important jumped out at Kentucky coach Tubby Smith here Saturday as he watched his team's annual Blue-White Game. Crawford welcomes pressure on junior class    Kentucky junior guard Joe Crawford has no problem with bigger expectations being placed on him and classmates Randolph Morris and Ramel Bradley this season at Kentucky. Perry, Bradley earn 28 points each in Blue-White scrimmage     Bobby Perry and Ramel Bradley had 28 points each as the Blue team topped the White team 95-87, in the University of Kentucky's annual Blue-White Game at Memorial Coliseum on Saturday. UK hopes this is its average Joe    Aggressive Crawford scores 29; offense rules scrimmage    One of those preseason basketball magazines had University of Kentucky guard Joe Crawford scouted as a good player who wasn't aggressive in going to the basket. Baskets over blitzes    Commit to play basketball for Kentucky or explore the possibility of playing football for Southern California. What an athletic choice freshman Michael Porter faced as a two-sport high school standout. He cited divine intervention as a reason he committed to play basketball for UK before even making a football visit to USC. Women DeMoss not changing her expectations    Expectations are continuing to soar for the University of Kentucky women's basketball team. (10-21-06)   Soccer Men UK  2  --  FIU  1  (Final) Women Wildcats Drop Bulldogs 3-0    In an offensive display the Wildcats haven’t shown in sometime, the Kentucky women’s soccer team (9-6-2, 4-3-1) picked up a much needed victory tonight as they defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-14-0, 1-8-0) 3-0. Volleyball Volleyball Falls at No. 12 LSU    The University of Kentucky volleyball team dropped a 3-0 (30-27, 30-27, 30-25) decision at No. 12 LSU tonight, Oct. 20, to fall to 12-7 on the year and 5-6 in the Southeastern Conference. The Tigers improve to 17-3 overall with a 9-2 mark in league play. Football ACL puts Turituri out for season    University of Kentucky offensive guard Fatu Turituri has injured his right knee and is out for the season, Coach Rich Brooks announced yesterday. UK loses backup lineman to injury    University of Kentucky senior offensive lineman Fatu Turituri has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, an injury that will end his career. Men Bradley, Perry Lead Kentucky Blue Past White    Joe Crawford scores 29 points to lead all scorers and the Kentucky Blue defeats the White 95-87 in the annual intrasquad scrimmage. Relaxed Morris Happy To Be With 'Cats From The Start    Randolph Morris won't take the bait.  No matter how many times he's asked, no matter how many different ways he's asked, the Kentucky junior center won't tell you he felt pressure after returning to the team halfway through his sophomore season following an NCAA-mandated 14-game suspension for attempting to enter the NBA Draft. Kentucky's Morris glad to return full-time    "I always knew that it wasn't in my means to have to come in and rescue the whole program. I knew I couldn't do it myself at all," Morris said. UK Blue-White Scrimmage Set for Today    The Kentucky men’s basketball’s Blue-White Scrimmage will be held today at 2 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum. Fans can enjoy free online video, audio and stats. Wildcats put focus on team spirit    FEWER DISTRACTIONS AMONG PLAYERS    Kentucky puts its togetherness mantra on public display in today's Blue-White basketball scrimmage in Memorial Coliseum. The scrimmage comes two days after UK's Media Day, when the Cats emphasized their one-for-all approach to the coming season. That's in stark contrast to 2005-06, when individual agendas splintered the team. Scott County's Mackey will play for Indiana    Scott County junior Bud Mackey, who had a basketball scholarship offer from Kentucky, committed to Indiana on Thursday night. "I called Coach (Kelvin) Sampson and told him I was ready to be a Hoosier," Mackey said yesterday. Bradley's time arrives at UK    The wait is finally over for Ramel Bradley. After spending his first two seasons toiling as the University of Kentucky's designated sparkplug off the bench, the 6-foot-2 junior is now the team's starting point guard. Women Experience on court can be measured by degrees    Nastassia Alcius was convinced that she was done with college basketball near the end of last season. The former Henry Clay standout knew she was going to graduate in May with a degree in sociology. Cats are living for the moments    A turnaround season like the University of Kentucky women's basketball program experienced a year ago yields more enchantment than a Genie's bottle. Story for UK women: great expectations    The preseason buzz is louder than ever at UK, which is ranked in the top 25 by preseason magazines and expects to be in the Associated Press and coaches' polls when the preseason versions are released. (10-20-06)   Soccer Women Women’s Soccer Hosts Mississippi State    The Kentucky women’s soccer team (8-6-2, 3-3-1) will begin the first of two straight split weekends on Friday as they host the Mississippi State Bulldogs before traveling to Ole Miss on Sunday. Men No. 17 Soccer Goes for Sixth-Straight Home Win    The 17th-ranked Kentucky soccer team returns home for the first time in nearly two weeks when it hosts Florida International in a crucial Conference USA battle on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the UK Soccer Complex. Football Lane a Semifinalist for Draddy Award    Kentucky offensive tackle Hayden Lane is among 148 players from all levels of intercollegiate football that have been named semifinalists for the 2006 Draddy Trophy that is presented to the nation’s top football scholar-athlete. Men Better team chemistry a priority for Kentucky    It's no surprise that new strength coach Scott Holsopple has made Kentucky's basketball players stronger because of his rigorous summer workout program. Randolph Morris wants to improve his rebounding    Randolph Morris believes players should be immune to pressure and ready for anything that happens by the time they start their third year on the University of Kentucky basketball team. Men's Basketball Participates in Preseason Media Day    The Kentucky men's basketball team met with members of the media Thursday morning for the annual preseason Media Day. Click to read quotes from the event. Practice facility is 'gonna be crazy'    When you are essentially taking an "open house" tour of a $30 million edifice, you expect to be wowed. Once it's completed in December, the new University of Kentucky basketball practice facility is gonna be long on wow. Slide show: New practice facility Heralded juniors ready to show their worth    Juniors Ramel Bradley, Joe Crawford and Randolph Morris came to Kentucky as part of a recruiting class blessed with a record number of McDonald's All-Americans and cursed with outsized expectations. Following in Gators' footsteps    Kentucky players brushed off the relatively modest expectations surrounding this season's team. To bolster his claim that great things might lie ahead, forward Bobby Perry offered a vivid example for the Cats to follow: Florida of last season. Wildcats adjust attitudes     With a few microphones shoved in his face, the most talkative University of Kentucky men's basketball player was suddenly at a loss for words - at least the nice, pleasant ones spin-doctors often conjure up to sugarcoat a bad situation. Crawford 'not 100%,' but practicing    University of Kentucky guard Joe Crawford practiced with the team Thursday morning for the second time since having an undisclosed surgery about three weeks ago. Wildcats are now majoring in chemistry    Media Day theme: UK 'more unified'    At yesterday's Media Day, the University of Kentucky basketball team was spread far and wide. Ramel Bradley sat under one basket at Memorial Coliseum, Bobby Perry beneath the other. Almost a half-court separated Joe Crawford from Randolph Morris. But to hear the Wildcats tell it, no setup could be less indicative of their close-knit collective. To make practice perfect    UK's new facility nears completion    Wildcats are preparing for the impending debut of their $30 million practice facility, which was open for a hardhat tour as part of yesterday's Media Day. The Memorial Coliseum expansion, which will house the men's and women's basketball practice facilities as well as athletic administrative offices, is scheduled to be ready for practice as early as late December. Wildcats Ready to Put Last Year Behind Them    Kentucky guard Ramel Bradley is eager to put last year behind him. Kentucky does not face great expectations    After speaking for nearly a half hour over the din of construction at Memorial Coliseum on Thursday, Kentucky coach Tubby Smith stopped short after one particularly loud clang reverberated through the hallways of the 56-year-old gym. (10-19-06)   Soccer Men Wildcats Dominate Contest Only to End Up With Tie    Despite a dominating 110 minutes of play in adverse conditions, the 17th-ranked Kentucky soccer team settled for a 1-1 tie against Conference USA rival Marshall on Wednesday night at Sam Hood Field. Wildcats dominate but play 1-1 soccer tie with Marshall    Despite firing 30 shots and setting a school record with 17 corner kicks, 17th-ranked University of Kentucky settled for a 1-1 men's soccer tie with Conference USA rival Marshall last night on a muddy field at Huntington, W.Va. Volleyball Volleyball Travels to LSU and Arkansas    The Kentucky volleyball team looks to get back on the winning track this weekend when it travels to No. 12 LSU and Arkansas for a pair of league re-matches. Women UK Hoops Center Roddy Out For Season    Kentucky women’s basketball forward/center Eleia Roddy has a torn ligament in her knee and will miss the remainder of the season. Kentucky women lose Roddy for season    KEY BACKUP INJURES KNEE DURING DRILL    Another knee injury will sideline the University of Kentucky's Eleia Roddy for another season, the school announced yesterday. Team officials said the backup post player has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee and that she will miss the upcoming season. UK's Roddy out for season with knee injury    The post attack of the University of Kentucky women's team took a serious hit yesterday when it was learned junior forward/center Eleia Roddy has a torn ligament in her right knee and will miss the remainder of the season. Men UK basketball stars say they'll deliver on their potential     Juniors Ramel Bradley, Joe Crawford and Randolph Morris spoke Thursday of delivering, however belatedly, this coming season on the hype that surrounded their arrival at Kentucky as freshmen. Men's basketball recruit chooses Georgia over UK     A University of Kentucky men's basketball prospect has chosen to attend the University of Georgia. Patterson holds off on decision for now    Kentucky's Big Blue Madness impressed heralded prospect Patrick Patterson. But not enough for him to commit to UK. Not yet, anyway. (10-18-06)   Soccer Men No. 17 Soccer Travels to C-USA Rival Marshall    The 17th-ranked Kentucky men’s soccer team hits the road for the second straight contest, traveling to face Conference USA rival Marshall on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Sam Hood Field. Football Woodson Holding SEC Record for Stingiest QB    Kentucky quarterback Andre’ Woodson is currently holding the Southeastern Conference record for best interception ratio in league history for a minimum of 400 pass attempts. It's not that bad, Archer says    DEFENSIVE COACH: LAST-PLACE LABEL MISLEADING    Kentucky defensive coordinator Mike Archer has seen the statistics, and he knows what they say: That he's in charge of the worst defense in Division I-A. Bull's-eye on Archer, his defense    Mike Archer has been coaching football since 1976. It takes a lot to surprise the University of Kentucky defensive coordinator. University of Kentucky Football Notebook    Schuler's future in question    Linebacker Joe Schuler probably won't play when Kentucky next takes the field Oct. 28 at Mississippi State. His future beyond that game is in question, too, coach Rich Brooks said yesterday Men UK's Sheray Thomas says he's ready to help more    Sheray Thomas has not been an offensive force during his University of Kentucky basketball career. Yet he is convinced that can change this year given the right opportunities. (10-17-06)   Men Twin towers choose to go to prep school    If Marcus and Markieff Morris ever end up in a University of Kentucky uniform, it won't be until the fall of 2008 at the earliest. University Heights' Hopson loved UK during visit    While Kentucky's Big Blue Madness recruiting weekend got an immediate payback with Sunday's commitment from Florida forward A.J. Stewart, one of the state's top junior players also was impressed by what he saw during the gala event. UK Blue-White Scrimmage Moved to 2 p.m.    The Kentucky men’s basketball’s Blue-White Scrimmage, scheduled Saturday at Memorial Coliseum, has been moved to 2 p.m. from its original time of 4 p.m. Power forward commits to UK    Florida player could be first of weekend trifecta    A.J. Stewart, a 6-foot-8 power forward from Arlington Country Day School in Jacksonville, Fla., has cast his lot with UK after his visit to Lexington. Soccer Women A Bond that Cannot be Broken    This July, three players from the Kentucky Women’s Soccer Team embarked on a seven day journey that changed their lives forever. Junior Kelsey Fenix, sophomore Kate Hughes and redshirt freshman Laura Speer took part in the Athletes in Action Ultimate Training Experience in Colorado. Football Craigman's story kind of crazy    If there is one player on Kentucky's football team who likely will not be discouraged for long over the Wildcats' 49-0 loss at LSU Saturday, it would be defensive end J.D. Craigman. UK defensive coach willing to take blame    University of Kentucky football fans seeking a scapegoat for the Wildcats’ struggles need look no further. (10-16-06)   Football Kickoff Time Set for Mississippi State Game    The Kentucky at Mississippi State game on Oct. 28 was not selected for live television and will kick off at 2:30 p.m. EDT (1:30 p.m. CDT in Starkville). LSU embarrasses 'Cats    A soft home schedule? Perhaps. But No. 14 Louisiana State cannot be accused of taking any game in Death Valley lightly. Brooks blasts defense    Kentucky coach Rich Brooks didn't mince words when talking about his team's defensive deficiencies against LSU. UK hits record low for defense    IT'S BEEN A LONG SLIDE SINCE WIDE-TACKLE-SIX    Ah, for the days of the wide-tackle-six. Where have you gone, Terry Strock? Jerry Claiborne was old school. Back in the day, the Kentucky coach didn't believe in giving his assistant coaches titles as coordinators. Strock was and he wasn't. As linebackers coach of Claiborne's controversial wide-tackle-six scheme, Strock made the defensive calls, but he wasn't considered a coordinator. None of the fame, but none of the blame, either. If there were fingers to be pointed, Claiborne wanted them pointed... Cats use bye week to get healthy    TEAM ANXIOUS TO PROVE ITS WORTH BUT ALSO IN NEED OF REST    From a pride standpoint, Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks would like to be playing this week. But for just about every other reason in the book, he's glad that his team has an open date. After big loss, Cats ready for some rest    Several players hurt entering off-week    In theory, Rich Brooks is all for open weeks. In practice, the University of Kentucky football coach isn't certain his is falling at the best time. "I'd like to get the taste out of my mouth by going out and playing this weekend," Brooks said yesterday during his weekly media teleconference. Soccer Women Kentucky Women’s Soccer Drops 1-0 Match at Georgia    The Kentucky women’s soccer team (8-6-2, 3-3-1) saw their four match unbeaten streak come to an end as they dropped a 1-0 affair to the Georgia Bulldogs (8-7-0, 3-5-0). Patterson sets record, beats Kentucky    Carrie Patterson set a school record, and scored the only goal in Georgia's 1-0 defeat of Kentucky. Men Forward commits to UK    Even before the University of Kentucky fans started chanting his name and he received a standing ovation in Rupp Arena just for showing up to Big Blue Madness on Friday night, UK was one of A.J. Stewart's top college choices. Stewart commits to Wildcats    It didn't take long for Big Blue Madness to pay off for the Kentucky basketball program. Stewart commits to play for Cats    PATTERSON, LUCAS STILL WEIGHING THEIR OPTIONS    Wing forward A.J. Stewart, one of three prospects who officially visited Kentucky during the Big Blue Madness weekend, committed to the Cats yesterday. (10-15-06)   Football Cats Fall at LSU 49-0    Kentucky never got the offense rolling on Saturday night, as the Cats lost at LSU 49-0. Cats inadequate and incompetent    At least it wasn't televised. You back home didn't have to endure LSU scoring touchdowns on its first four possessions, or Kentucky picking up two personal foul penalties on one play, or the Cats having 10 men on the field when they needed 12 and 12 when they needed 32. Where is everybody?    Newspapers cite variety of reasons for not covering UK football   Fans are not the only ones who have been coming in reduced numbers to Commonwealth Stadium this football season. In the press box, there has been a noticeable decline in the number of Kentucky-based newspapers covering UK home games. BAYOU BUNGLE    UK shut out for 1st time since '04    Facing LSU in a night game at Death Valley is a scary proposition for anybody. But for a banged-up and overmatched Kentucky team taking on a mad group of Tigers still smarting after two tough early conference losses? Forget about it. A beatdown in the bayou    No. 14 LSU routs clawless Cats, 49-0    The Wildcats finally got on the same page last night, and for UK coach Rich Brooks it was a scary story, a 49-0 loss to No. 14-ranked Louisiana State in front of 92,148 fans at Tiger Stadium in which UK was an equal-opportunity offender. Cats still buried among the Have-Nots    Somebody told me the University of Kentucky's name started creeping onto bowl projection lists last week. New Orleans' Lyons locks up catches, UK tickets    Last week, as his team prepared to take on Louisiana State, University of Kentucky wide receiver Dicky Lyons Jr. predicted it would be his favorite game of the year. Soccer Men Soccer Fall in Overtime at UAB    Jerson Monteiro headed home the game-winning goal in the 92nd minute to lift UAB to a 1-0 overtime upset of 18th-ranked Kentucky on Saturday night at West Campus Field. Men Putting stock in first practice is Madness    BLUE-WHITE GAME IS BETTER GAUGE OF TEAM'S TALENT    I once asked the great Cawood Ledford if he planned to go to Kentucky's Midnight Madness. He immediately frowned and then proudly said that he'd never been to a Madness extravaganza. The iconic play-by-play man was keenly interested in learning all he could about each season's team. He just didn't think Madness was a setting to learn much. And, he let it be known, he certainly didn't intend to sacrifice a good night's sleep to watch the equivalent of confetti fly and party favors pop in Memorial... (10-14-06)   Football LSU  49  --  UK  0 (Final) Wildcats might need a Bayou miracle    AFTER TWO LOSSES, TIGERS FANS WILL BE ANGRIER THAN EVER     "The Bluegrass Miracle," the 75-yard Hail Mary pass caught by LSU's Devery Henderson to beat Kentucky in 2002, still pops up on just about every cable sports network countdown of the most unbelievable plays in recent sports history. Tigers are a bear of a 2-loss team    Brooks: LSU better than record says    The mood isn't pretty in Baton Rouge, where No. 14 LSU (4-2, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) will host UK (3-3, 1-2) tonight at 8. Soccer Women Women’s Soccer Upsets No. 11 Tennessee 1-0    The Kentucky women’s soccer team (8-5-2, 3-2-1) continued its defensive mastery as they recorded their fourth straight shutout, a 1-0 victory over the 11th ranked Tennessee Lady Vols (7-4-3, 3-2-2). UK beats Lady Vols with one shot on goal    The University of Kentucky women's soccer team continued its defensive mastery with a 1-0 victory over the 11th-ranked Tennessee Lady Vols (7-4-3, 3-2-2 Southeastern Conference). Men Big Blue Madness Photo Gallery    The Kentucky men's and women's basketball teams kicked off the 2006-07 season with the annual Big Blue Madness Friday night at Rupp Arena. A Madness record 23,312 fans were in attendance to watch the festivities. The madness begins   Optimism stars as men, women unveil squads    Before Big Blue Madness provided its hint of what the new season might bring, Kentucky basketball offered a test of strength. Sweat surely popped out on its brow as the program strained to find top 10 moments from last season to show on a highlight video. Wildcat faithful relish new start    In keeping with the theme of a fresh start afforded every team before any actual games are played, University of Kentucky men's basketball head coach Tubby Smith unveiled a chic new pair of rimless glasses before the team's first official practice. Let the Big Blue spectacle begin    Smith, Wildcats sport a new look    The Wildcats opened preseason practice with renewed promise in front of a record crowd of 23,312 in Rupp Arena. Smith said he was excited about the new season and also did a little bragging about his new peepers. Kentucky's Crawford sits after surgery    Kentucky junior guard Joe Crawford missed Friday night's Big Blue Madness and will miss the team's first few practices after undergoing minor surgery, coach Tubby Smith said. Madness roundup: UK, Illini, Mason, more    Coach Tubby Smith says this year "is a little more exciting" for Kentucky, and a record crowd packed Rupp Arena on Friday night to see what he was talking about at Big Blue Madness. (10-13-06)   Football Dixon will take over for injured Little    Now that the same old injury woes have plagued Kentucky's feature running back, it's "same old Tony" to the rescue. Brooks evaluates UK's season    Kentucky coach Rich Brooks wishes his team was at least 4-2 instead of 3-3 at the midway point of the season. However, going into Saturday night's game at No. 14 LSU, Brooks says his team is about where he thought it would be this season. Giant turnaround    André Woodson entered the fall without a starting job. He might finish the season on the All-SEC team. Woodson, Kentucky’s fourth-year junior quarterback, brings an impressive set of statistics into Saturday’s game against LSU. He has thrown for 1,486 yards and ranks fourth nationally with 15 touchdown passes. Kentucky will be LSU's toughest test at home, but how tough?     Kentucky may be better than any of the other four teams to visit Tiger Stadium so far this season. Whether the Wildcats can give No. 14 LSU a close game on Saturday night is another matter. LSU Offering PPV Video for Football Game   The LSU vs. Kentucky football game in Tiger Stadium on Saturday night will be available to fans in Louisiana and Kentucky on a live online pay-per-view webcast. Sack stats don't do White justice    DEFENSIVE END CONTRIBUTES THROUGH EFFORT, LEADERSHIP    When defensive coordinator Mike Archer complimented defensive end Durrell White recently for his play this season, White admitted that he was a little surprised to hear it. In '02, LSU left UK in udder dismay    Cow-suit guy, player reflect on stunning turn    Replayed over and over on cable TV sports networks, they have become iconic images on the American sports canvas. The premature Gatorade bath given to the coach who turned out to be the game's loser. With Little out, Smith gets a shot    Star's injury means carries for backup    The redshirt freshman tailback is down in the dumps this week that his University of Kentucky teammate, first-stringer Rafael Little, is out for a month with cartilage damage in his left knee. Soccer Women Women’s Soccer Travels to 11th Ranked Tennessee and Georgia   The Kentucky women’s soccer team (7-5-2, 2-2-1) looks to continue the momentum of a three-match unbeaten streak as they hit the road again in the SEC and travel to 11th ranked Tennessee and Georgia. Volleyball Cats Fall in Three at Alabama    The University of Kentucky volleyball team snapped its three-match winning streak tonight, Oct. 13, with a 3-0 (30-26, 30-20, 31-29) loss at Alabama (12-6, 7-2 Southeastern Conference). The Wildcats fall to 12-6 and even their league record at 5-5 with the loss. Men Fans Get First Look at Cats at Madness    Kentucky holds their first official practice tonight at the annual Big Blue Madness. Doors to Rupp Arena open at 7:30 p.m. and the event kicks off at 9:00 p.m. Juniors know they must produce    Kentucky's talented junior class expected to win at least one national championship and establish itself as one of the best groups ever to play for the Wildcats. Kenny Walker says Cats will miss Rondo    Surely you have heard the theory that Kentucky is going to be better this season because Rajon Rondo left for the NBA. Could freshmen bring new hope for Cats' basketball future?    Shooting a basketball is something Michael Porter has always been able to do. Media members give opinions    What major questions does the Kentucky basketball team have going into this season? Perry not letting impressive NCAA play change his approach    Based on the way he finished last season, Bobby Perry should go into his senior season full of confidence. Wildcats begin road to recovery    For the University of Kentucky men's basketball team, the road to recovery will start tonight at Big Blue Madness among more than 20,000 fans in historic Rupp Arena. UK's Madness motto: Don't look back    PATTERSON AMONG INVITEES    Kentucky basketball officially launches a new season tonight with its annual Big Blue Madness celebration. This year's hoopla (pun intended), which marks UK's 25th annual ode to basketball, has a distinct forward-looking flavor. Women Carly Ormerod loves to win - and has game    When Carly Ormerod plays basketball, only one thing matters. "Ever since I can remember, I have loved to win. My goal when I step on the court every time is to win. It's not just basketball where I'm like that. I'm competitive in everything I do. I tend to make games out of everything," said Ormerod, a sophomore point guard at Kentucky. Women's coach DeMoss speaks out about her team    Kentucky women's coach Mickie DeMoss offered some insights on the upcoming season in this question and answer session with the Danville Advocate-Messenger's sports editor Larry Vaught. (10-12-06)   Football Cats believe they can win at LSU    Kentucky offensive lineman Michael Aitcheson doesn't pay attention to the stature of an opponent, no matter the circumstances. Injured UK tackles practice, plan to play    Injured University of Kentucky defensive tackles Lamar Mills and Myron Pryor practiced Thursday and are expected to make the trip when the Wildcats play LSU. Joker not wild about passing against Tigers    BUT CATS LACK STRONG GROUND GAME    The formula was simple: Kentucky, a team that had struggled to run the ball, was facing Florida, which had one of the best run defenses in the country. And the Cats were without their top tailback, Rafael Little. Prep phenom Johnson meets his match in college game    For almost as long as he's been walking, Micah Johnson has been a football prodigy. The University of Kentucky's freshman linebacker took to the game early, and it fit like a glove. He was bigger than the other kids. Stronger and faster. Better. Archer bracing for visit to LSU    Kentucky's return to the LSU schedule as a revolving East Division opponent brings a piece of the Tigers' past. Miracle memories remain with team    Neither LSU nor Kentucky have any players remaining from the last time the Tigers and Wildcats faced each other. But hardly anyone associated with either school will forget the game. Football Makes Improvements, Preps for Kentucky    LSU reached the midpoint of its preparation for Saturday’s contest against Kentucky and head coach Les Miles said the Tigers have approached practice with a good attitude and made a great deal of improvement this week. Soccer Men No. 18 Soccer Explodes Past UCF, 2-1    The 18th-ranked Kentucky soccer team scored a pair of goals 50 seconds apart to overcome soggy conditions and a stubborn Central Florida squad to nail down a big 2-1 victory on Wednesday night at the UK Soccer Complex. Volleyball Wildcats Take Three-Match Win Streak to Alabama    Coming off the program’s first win over a ranked opponent since the 1993 season, the Kentucky volleyball team takes a three-match winning streak into Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Friday when it takes on the Alabama Crimson Tide. Opening serve is set for 8 p.m. ET in The CAVE. UK Volleyball Pulls off Upset    Sophomore outside hitter Ashlee Fisher notched a career-high 21 kills Wednesday night, Oct. 11, and Kentucky posted its first win over a ranked opponent since the 1993 season with a 3-2 victory (30-22, 19-30, 30-28, 14-30, 15-12) over No. 18 Tennessee in Memorial Coliseum. Kentucky Upsets No. 18 Tennessee in Five    Sophomore outside hitter Ashlee Fisher notched a career-high 21 kills Wednesday night, Oct. 11, and Kentucky posted its first win over a ranked opponent since the 1993 season with a 3-2 victory (30-22, 19-30, 30-28, 14-30, 15-12) over No. 18 Tennessee in Memorial Coliseum. Cats topple Tennessee in 3-2 volleyball upset    Sophomore outside hitter Ashlee Fisher notched a career-high 21 kills last night, and the University of Kentucky volleyball team posted its first win over a ranked opponent since 1993 with a 30-22, 19-30, 30-28, 14-30, 15-12 victory over No. 18 Tennessee (15-4, 6-3 Southeastern Conference) at home. The Wildcats (12-5, 5-4) last beat a ranked foe on Sept. 24, 1993, against Colorado. Kentucky upsets Lady Vols in volleyball    The No. 18 University of Tennessee volleyball team started a four-match road swing with a 3-2 loss to unranked Kentucky in Lexington on Wednesday. Women ESPNU to Televise UK Hoops vs. U of L    ESPNU announced it will broadcast the intrastate rivalry game between the Wildcats and Louisville on Sunday, Dec. 3 in Freedom Hall ... Season tickets top 4,200. Men Big Blue Madness TV Coverage    Click for the television coverage of this year's Big Blue Madness, which begins Friday night, Oct. 13 at 9:00 p.m. (10-11-06)   Football Wildcats Preparing for LSU Without Little    The football Wildcats are heading for the Bayou minus their All-SEC tailback and punt return specialist, Rafael Little. LSU coach Miles likes Cats    Based on the praise LSU coach Les Miles heaped on Kentucky, one might think it was UK - not LSU - that is ranked 14th in the country going into Saturday's game. Kentucky running short on tackles    FOUR HAVE BEEN INJURED IN TWO WEEKS    Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks and defensive coordinator Mike Archer are both old NFL defensive guys, so they've been in situations where they were down to one or two healthy tackles. Baton Rouge bitter for Brooks    UK hasn't been to Baton Rouge, La., for a game since 2002, when Guy Morriss was the Wildcats' head coach. But Rich Brooks has had a taste of Tiger Stadium, and it was bitter. Brooks took his Oregon team to Death Valley in 1977, when the Tigers were led by the school's all-time winningest coach, Charles McClendon. Cats Need 3 Of Final 6 For Bowl Eligibility    Kentucky's recipe for bowl eligibility sounds simple enough. Just repeat in the last six games what it did in the first six. The Wildcats are 3-3, still in strong contention for postseason play, but players acknowledged Monday they were still licking their wounds from the latest one that got away. Soccer Women Ogundele Named to National Team of the Week    Senior Kentucky goalie Anne Ogundele has been named to the SoccerBuzz Elite Team of the Week as announced by the organization this afternoon. Men Birthday wish granted: Krebs to be walk-on for Cats    After its winter of discontent in 2005-06, Kentucky basketball needed a feel-good wave to ride into this coming season. Maybe it came yesterday, three days before Big Blue Madness tips off a new season. Women Mickie DeMoss Live Chat on Thursday    Women's basketball head coach Mickie DeMoss will participate in a live chat on ukathletics.com Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. ET. (10-10-06)   Football Jeffries Moves to Defensive Tackle    Freshman Justin Jeffries will move from offensive tackle to defensive tackle for Saturday’s game at Louisiana State in order to help with the depth situation on defense, Coach Rich Brooks announced following Tuesday’s practice. Who's to blame for defensive woes?    Kentucky's defense was supposed to be vastly improved this year. Instead, the Wildcats are allowing almost 28 points and 450 yards per game and giving up 6.5 yards per play after six games. Wildcats know they let one get away    BUT ARKANSAS' UPSET OF AUBURN GIVES UK HOPE VERSUS BIG BOYS    The Kentucky football team let a major opportunity slip out of its grasp in Saturday's 24-17 loss to South Carolina, and the players know it. Little has surgery on left knee, will miss a month    OTHER INJURED CATS INCLUDE MILLS, PRYOR, ABREN AND PETERS    Kentucky junior tailback Rafael Little is expected to be sidelined for about a month after undergoing arthroscopic surgery yesterday to repair a lateral cartilage tear in his left knee, UK Coach Rich Brooks said. Cats' injury list growing   Little likely out for a month; four defensive tackles hurt   It hasn't reached the epidemic proportions it did a year ago, but the injury report is getting longer and longer for University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks these days. Volleyball Wildcats To Tangle With No. 18 Tennessee    The Kentucky volleyball team closes out its three-match homestand on Wednesday, Oct. 11, when it hosts No. 18 Tennessee in Memorial Coliseum. Opening serve between the Wildcats and Lady Vols is set for 7 p.m. Soccer Men No. 18 Soccer Returns Home Against UCF    The Kentucky men’s soccer team returns home on Wednesday against Central Florida in a critical Conference USA battle at 7 p.m. at the UK Soccer Complex. Turns out coaching is just his style    Not a single person would have been surprised. In the weeks following Kentucky's painful loss to Texas Western in the 1966 NCAA finals, you could have made a brash prediction to anyone around the University of Kentucky basketball program. Women UK, U of L women ranked in hoops in CBS Top 25    The University of Kentucky women's basketball team was ranked No. 18 in the CBSSportsline.com College Basketball Preview, it was announced yesterday. The University of Louisville was No. 21. Eight other teams from the Southeastern and Big East conferences were among the Top 25, including Tennessee (No. 4), Connecticut (No. 7) and Louisiana State (No. 9). (10-09-06)   Football Little Out for a Month    Junior tailback/punt returner Rafael Little is expected to miss approximately one month after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on Monday to repair a lateral cartilage tear in his left knee, Coach Rich Brooks announced. Wildcats Look for First Win in Bayou Since 1998    The Kentucky football team looks for its first win in Baton Rouge since the 1998 season when it travels to Tiger Stadium to face 16th-ranked LSU on Saturday. Game time is set for 8 p.m. ET. Click to read Monday's news conference quotes Brooks says Cats can still earn a bowl bid    Kentucky coach Rich Brooks is not opposed to his team openly talking about earning a bowl bid. Three out of six isn't bad for these Cats   BOWL OR NO BOWL, BROOKS LOOKING GOOD   Six games down. Six games to go. Six questions about the remainder of the UK football season. Question: Can the Cats still make a bowl? Knee surgery sidelines Little    BROOKS NOT SPECULATING ON RETURN DATE    Kentucky junior running back Rafael Little will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery this morning and will miss Saturday's game at LSU, UK Coach Rich Brooks announced yesterday. Little Out For LSU Game    Kentucky tailback Rafael Little won't play against LSU when the Wildcats travel to Baton Rouge, La., this week. Little, UK's leading rusher, had swelling in an injured knee after Saturday night's 24-17 loss to South Carolina and will have the knee scoped Monday, UK coach Rich Brooks said Sunday. Kentucky's smaller margin with South Carolina no consolation     In falling to 0-14 against South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, Kentucky's players took little comfort in the fact they are getting closer. Wildcats have limited lanes to go bowling    The mood has changed on the University of Kentucky football team. The goal hasn't. Trickery keeps Spurrier unbeaten vs. Wildcats    Syvelle Newton is a quarterback - a running quarterback, but when South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier called a trick play that turned him into a receiver, Newton wasn't a bit surprised. Soccer Women Ogundele Named SEC Player of the Week    Senior Kentucky goalie Anne Ogundele has been named this week’s SEC Defensive Player of the Week as announced by the league office in Birmingham, Alabama. (10-08-06)   Football Still Superior   Offense sputters in 14th straight loss to Spurrier   If the defense had been the leaky faucet for Kentucky this season, the offense was the Rock of Gibraltar. If you take away the Florida game, the Wildcat offense hadn't had many problems gaining yards or putting up points all season.. Spurrier's the difference between UK and S.C.    Kentucky and South Carolina. Both 3-2. Both with losses to two top-10 members. Both looking for their second conference win. Not a dollar's worth of difference between them last night. 'Woulda, coulda, shoulda' doesn't get UK anywhere    There's a problem with treading water. Opportunity was back in Commonwealth Stadium last night. Steve Spurrier was standing on the opposing sideline as Kentucky found itself with a robust chance to finally hang defeat on the grimacing mug of the Ol' Ball Coach. UK had its chances to finally get Spurrier    The scene was set for a program-changing win at Kentucky. Cats' Little wanted win over home-state team    Rafael Little doesn't mind playing against South Carolina. He just wishes the final outcome could have been better. South Carolina 24, Kentucky 17    Quarterback Syvelle Newton ran for one touchdown and caught another as South Carolina defeated Kentucky 24-17 Saturday to make Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier 14-0 against the Wildcats. Cats knocked on ground   It got close, but that was no comfort. The University of Kentucky football team appeared to be all but buried against South Carolina last night at Commonwealth Stadium, but the Gamecocks couldn't relax until the final horn, beating the Wildcats 24-17 when Andre' Woodson's last-second heave into the end zone missed the mark. No visor, but the ol' ball coach had tricks up a sleeve    Steve Spurrier had us all fooled. The ol' ball coach and his South Carolina team were throwing nothing but ol' ball plays at the University of Kentucky last night in Commonwealth Stadium. Burton joins 'K' club for receiving yards    Keenan Burton's 12-yard catch in the first quarter of the University of Kentucky's 24-17 loss to South Carolina last night didn't have much impact on the game. Cats running on empty at DT    Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks and defensive coordinator Mike Archer might need to hold open auditions for defensive tackles next week. Soccer Men Soccer Falls at Top-Ranked SMU   The 13th-ranked Kentucky men’s soccer team ran into a buzzsaw Saturday night, falling on the road to the consensus top-ranked team in the nation, SMU, 4-0. SPORTS BRIEFS     The 13th-ranked Kentucky men's soccer team lost on the road to the consensus top-ranked team in the nation, SMU, 4-0 last night. The loss dropped UK to 8-3-1 on the year, including 1-1-1 in their three-game stretch against ranked foes. Meanwhile, SMU remained unbeaten at 12-0-1 and ran its record against ranked teams to 4-0-1. The Mustangs have outscored their opponents 14-2 in those five contests. Women Women’s Soccer Forges Tie with No. 16 Florida    The Kentucky women’s soccer team (7-5-2, 2-2-1) needed points in the standings coming into the weekend and they got what they were looking for as they earned a 0-0 tie with the 16th ranked (SoccerTimes.com) Florida Gators (8-4-2, 4-1-1). Men Recruit is the new Rex   Like Chapman 21 years ago, Patterson is a must-sign for program   Patrick Patterson or bust. That's how Kentucky's recruiting effort this year appears. Of course, signing Patterson does not assure UK of anything. Rival schools insist on pursuing talented players, too. Volleyball Wildcats Sweep Gamecocks, 3-0    Kentucky outside hitters Ashlee Fisher (West Bend, Wis.) and Melissa Popp (Indianapolis, Ind.) combined for 28 kills Sunday, Oct. 8, and the Wildcats used a powerful blocking attack in a 3-0 (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) win over South Carolina in Memorial Coliseum. (10-07-06)   Football Cats Fall Short of Gamecocks    Despite 17 second-half points, the Kentucky Wildcats fell short of the South Carolina Gamecocks, 24-17, Saturday night in Commonwealth Stadium. Wildcats hope to make waves with win today   BEATING SPURRIER WOULD EARN RESPECT   The 2006 Kentucky football team is halfway toward bowl eligibility before the midpoint of the season, is the third-highest scoring team in the Southeastern Conference at more than 30 points a game and has a chance to start off 4-0 at Commonwealth Stadium for the first time since 1987. Injuries force Leger into double duty    Injuries on the defensive line could force junior Jason Leger into being an old throwback, two-way player tonight. Leger moved from defensive tackle to right offensive guard a couple weeks ago and immediately earned raves from the coaching staff. He'll make his second career start at guard tonight. Wildcats welcome Spurrier to town    As a high school kid, Michael Aitcheson would get up early on Sunday mornings to watch "Breakfast With the Gators." Volleyball Bulldogs volleyball team 0-7 in SEC    Josefine Ehmke had a career-high 12 kills, but Kentucky defeated Georgia's volleyball team 3-0 (30-20, 30-28, 30-20). (10-06-06)   Football Woodson lighter, quicker, and better    One second has made a huge difference for Andre Woodson. The Kentucky quarterback went through a rigorous off season training program that helped him slim down by 25 pounds. He wasn't a running quarterback at 250 pounds, and still isn't at 225, but running forward faster was never the goal. Linebacker unit hasn't lived up to hype    MISTAKES, MISALIGNMENTS UNDERMINE TALENTED TACKLERS    We all heard the pre-season advertisements regarding the UK linebackers in 2006: More talent, more depth and, ultimately, much improved. Archer says criticism is justified    BUT HE KEEPS FOCUS ON TEAM    You are in charge of the defense that is ranked next-to-last -- No. 118 out of 119 in yards allowed (thank the gridiron gods for Ball State) -- in all of big-time college football. Cats' DBs prepare for another stiff test    Karl Booker wants back on the horse.  The horse hasn't been kind to the University of Kentucky cornerback, nor to his partners in pass defense. Woodson: 25 Pounds Lighter, A Second Quicker And Much Better    One second can make a world of difference. Just ask Andre Woodson. The Kentucky quarterback went through a rigorous offseason training program that helped him slim down by 25 pounds. He wasn't a running quarterback at 250 pounds, and still isn't at 225, but running forward more quickly was never really the point. Volleyball Wildcats Silence Bulldogs, 3-0    Senior Kentucky outside hitter Melissa Popp registered a team-high 15 kills on a season-best .406 hitting percentage Friday night, Oct. 6, and the Wildcat offense came alive in a 3-0 (30-20, 30-28, 30-20) sweep of Southeastern Conference rival Georgia in Memorial Coliseum. Soccer Men Soccer Takes on No. 1 SMU    The 13th-ranked Kentucky men’s soccer team faces its toughest test to date on Saturday at top-ranked and undefeated SMU at 8 p.m. ET at Westcott Field. Women Soccer Defeats South Carolina 1-0    Freshman Giuleana Lopez did it again for the Wildcats collecting her third game-winning goal of the season in leading UK (7-5-1, 2-2-0 SEC) to a 1-0 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks (9-4-1, 3-1-1). (10-05-06)   Football Cats shuffling linebackers again     Braxton Kelley will start at middle linebacker for Kentucky against South Carolina on Saturday, a sign that things are still unsettled at a position the Cats were expecting to be improved. Wildcats are looking ahead, not back    University of Kentucky linebacker Wesley Woodyard knows Steve Spurrier's history against the Wildcats. White, Masthay are Game Captains    Senior defensive end Durrell White and sophomore punter Tim Masthay have been named game captains for Saturday’s game vs. South Carolina, Coach Rich Brooks has announced. UK Fans’ Game Day Information    Click for comprehensive information for fans attending this Saturday's football game with South Carolina. My, how Woodson's thrown    QB'S PROGRESS MEASURED BY MORE THAN YARDS    You could slice it up any way you want, but all you have to do is look at the numbers and conclude that Andre Woodson is playing pretty well right now. SEC has the best teams, the worst title shot    PERFECT SEASON -- AND BCS CHAMPIONSHIP -- NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE    Not even halfway through the season, the Southeastern Conference is already down to three unbeaten teams. "And we're going to have a tough time on Saturday," said Georgia Coach Mark Richt yesterday. "Might be two after this week." SEC Might Be Too Good for Own Good    The Southeastern Conference might be too good for its own good. With five teams still in the thick of the national-title chase, a so-called "game of the season" comes around nearly every week. This week it's No. 9 LSU at No. 5 Florida and No. 13 Tennessee facing No. 10 Georgia. In the SEC West, No. 2 Auburn will play Arkansas for first place. Cooper finds his niche with Gamecocks    When Ron Cooper took over the University of Louisville football program from Howard Schnellenberger, the Cardinals were sitting first-and-10 and charging downfield. Winning seasons were nearly automatic. Bowl talk was no longer Howard Hyperbole. NFL Draft Day stirred legitimate buzz around the complex. Cats take an elective in film study    Players meeting to prepare offense    This week, the University of Kentucky's offense has earned higher marks than the Wildcats' defense. Still, the offense is staying after class. The Cats' offensive players planned to meet tonight after hours -- and apart from their coaches -- to review film and put in extra time in preparation for Saturday's game against South Carolina at Commonwealth Stadium. Soccer Men O'Neill Named National Player of the Week    After scoring the game-winning goal in Kentucky’s thrilling 1-0 victory over sixth-ranked South Carolina on Sunday, striker Riley O’Neill has been named the National Player of the Week by the NSCAA. Women Soccer Hosts Crucial SEC Weekend    The Kentucky women’s soccer team looks to build on the momentum of last Sunday’s success as the Wildcats (6-5-1, 1-2-0 SEC) host nationally ranked South Carolina and Florida this weekend at the UK Soccer Complex. Women’s Soccer Works with Safe Kids Program    Usually, when the Kentucky women’s soccer team gets together at 7:00 a.m., it has to do with weights or training. However, early this morning it was a different story as the team in conjunction with SAFE KIDS Coalition participated in Walk to School day. Kentucky Women’s Soccer Time Changes    Sunday’s women’s soccer match between Kentucky and Florida has been moved to 1:00 p.m. ET to accommodate Florida’s travel schedule. The game will be televised live on SUN Sports. Basketball Men Crawford won't miss time after surgery unrelated to basketball    University of Kentucky basketball player Joe Crawford had surgery last week, a UK spokesman said yesterday, but should be back on the court in time for the start of basketball practice. Crawford's surgery was "of a personal nature" and unrelated to basketball, said Scott Stricklin, UK's assistant athletic director for media relations. (10-04-06)   Football Paris, Peters Out 3-4 Weeks    Freshman defensive linemen Jamil Paris and Corey Peters will miss the next three-to-four weeks but will not have surgery on their medial collateral ligament (knee) injuries sustained in last Saturday’s win over Central Michigan, Coach Rich Brooks announced Tuesday Spurrier's offense poses challenge for Cats    DEFENSE WILL 'FOCUS BETTER, OR THEY'LL GET RUN OUT OF THE STADIUM'    South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier was trying to be diplomatic when assessing the Kentucky defense. Yes, he's aware that the Wildcats surrendered 558 yards (411 of those through the air) to Central Michigan. And not only is Kentucky's 461.6 yards allowed per game last in the Southeastern Conference, it's more than 100 yards behind the 11th-place defense, Arkansas. UK football draws lots of fans, but ...    Random notes: My playoff preferences: This week, I am a Tigers fan. My stitched-ball playoff picks: A's over Twins, Yankees over Tigers, Mets over Dodgers, Padres over Cardinals. Big-play Burton keeps teammates, coaches in awe    It's getting hard for Keenan Burton to amaze anyone. Oh sure, he drops the jaws of the occasional fan. But University of Kentucky's 6-foot-2 junior wide receiver has become so remarkable that his teammates and coaches barely bat an eye at his big plays. All it takes is a new quarterback    Fifteen points against Mississippi State? Shut out against Georgia? In its first two games of the season, South Carolina looked like anything but a Steve Spurrier-coached squad. But as the Gamecocks (3-2, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) head to Commonwealth Stadium Saturday to play the University of Kentucky, they look more like vintage Spurrier, thanks in part to quarterback Syvelle Newton. Soccer Men UK men's soccer squad garners its highest ranking    The University of Kentucky men's soccer team has achieved its highest ranking, coming in at No. 13 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Top 25 released yesterday. Basketball Men Scouting the 2006-07 Wildcats    Pre-season assessments of this year's UK men's basketball players: (10-03-06)   Football Kentucky Defense Looks to Avoid Second-half Letdowns    Kentucky coach Rich Brooks is pleased the Wildcats have gotten off to a solid start, but added the defense needs to get better if the Wildcats want to keep their early season momentum up. South Carolina kicks reserve DE off team    South Carolina reserve defensive end Kerry Bonds was kicked off the team after he was arrested for assault. Brooks still believes in Cats' defense    University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks remains convinced that the Wildcats can be productive on defense. UK's Archer: 'We need a challenge'    Kentucky defensive coordinator Mike Archer welcomes the challenge of matching wits with South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier when the Gamecocks visit Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday night. Wildcats understand Spurrier mystique    BUT 13 LOSSES ARE 'IN THE PAST'    Rich Brooks says he isn't going to get caught up in the hype. The fact that Kentucky has never beaten a Steve Spurrier-coached team will probably come up a zillion times between now and Saturday night's game between UK and South Carolina, but Brooks won't be harping on Spurrier as he prepares his team for the pivotal matchup. Payback for Cats would be fun-n-stun    VISOR-TOSSIN' VILLAIN RETURNS TO SCENE OF PRIOR CRIMES    Believe it or not, there is something Rich Brooks needs more in 2006 than six wins. Something that could boost the shaky public standing of the Kentucky football coach far more than a trip to Shreveport as the SEC's ninth bowl-eligible team. Spurrier says Gamecocks wary of Cats    The theory was that after the University of Kentucky football team surrendered 411 passing yards to Central Michigan last Saturday Steve Spurrier would be champing at the bit Soccer Men Soccer Earns Highest Ranking in School History    The Kentucky soccer team, fresh off a 1-0 victory over sixth-ranked South Carolina, has climbed all the way to No. 13 in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll, it was announced Tuesday. O'Neill, Williams Honored; UK in National Rankings    Kentucky ranks seventh in the nation in offense and fifth in defense. Riley O'Neill and Dan Williams earned C-USA Player of the Week honors. Basketball Men Tubby leaving drama behind     For part of a drama-filled season last year, University of Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith took on another role - detective. (10-02-06)   Football Be True, Wear Blue     “Be True, Wear Blue!” is the theme for Saturday’s football game against the visiting South Carolina Gamecocks ... CBS has used its six-day advance to decide if it wants to air the UK vs. LSU game on Oct. 14 Wildcats Look to Remain Unbeaten at Home    The Kentucky football team looks to improve on its perfect 3-0 home record Saturday when it plays host to South Carolina Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN2. Click to read Monday's news conference quotes. UK Notebook: Gamecocks figure to slow down UK’s offense    Kentucky is coming off what coach Rich Brooks calls one of its best offensive performances, and the best performance of the year by the offensive line. Defending UK's defensive performance    BROOKS: CHIPS' OFFENSE CLICKED    Yes, the Kentucky defense was bad in Saturday night's 45-36 win over Central Michigan. But UK Coach Rich Brooks said that the defense wasn't quite as bad as he originally thought after watching the film. Soccer Men Cats topple No. 5 Gamecocks on golden goal    Riley O'Neill netted a golden goal in the 105th minute in Lexington, lifting the University of Kentucky men's soccer team to a 1-0 upset over sixth-ranked South Carolina yesterday afternoon. Basketball Men Tubby sees lots of areas for improvement    The more Kentucky coach Tubby Smith evaluated last season, the less he liked what he saw on offense or defense Tubby evaluates his team    Here is what Kentucky coach Tubby Smith had to say about each scholarship player as he awaited the start of preseason practice: (10-01-06)   Football McClinton multi-tasks for Cats    Sophomore safety sings before the game, stops Central Michigan on the field   Marcus McClinton had all of his skills on display last night at Commonwealth Stadium. Defense needs help fast    CATS CAN'T AFFORD A REPEAT OF LAST NIGHT AGAINST CAROLINA    Talk this week will be about Kentucky being 3-2. Talk will be that South Carolina is a beatable foe. Talk will be that Saturday could be a corner-turning opportunity for Rich Brooks' program. The good/bad old days of Mumme     It was Hal Mumme throwback night in Commonwealth Stadium.    That segment of the Kingdom of the Blue that has never lost the hankering for the scoreboard-exploding, defense-free days of Mumme Ball found itself last evening in its own slice of retro-heaven. Cats provide non-stop action     Kentucky came into last night's game with Central Michigan knowing they needed a win, and they got it. Cats get needed win, but defense needs work    Kentucky got big scoring plays on offense and forced four turnovers. Kentucky 45, Central Michigan 36     Even with a three-touchdown lead against an opponent that couldn't seem to keep a grip on the football, Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson had a feeling this was going to take a career-type performance to pull out. A weird and worrisome win     If, as University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks asserts, there's no such thing as a bad win, then UK's 45-36 escape last night against Central Michigan was cause for celebration. Spurrier must be drooling over Wildcats' defense    You'd like to sit back and appreciate the University of Kentucky football team's offense.  You'd like to talk about running backs Rafael Little and Tony Dixon -- both of whom missed most of the week's practices with injuries -- and dissect how when either of those two popped a decent run or two in last night's 45-36 victory over Central Michigan, the entire offense seemed to open up. Liberty Bowl official says Wildcats look like 'a great fit'    After last night's 45-36 victory over Central Michigan, bowl eligibility is within the University of Kentucky football team's grasp. Trinity kicker says he'll play for Kentucky    When Trinity kicker Ryan Tydlacka received an offer from the University of Kentucky, he decided to go ahead and commit to the Wildcats' coaches. Soccer Men Soccer Upsets No. 6 South Carolina    Riley O’Neill netted a golden goal in the 105th minute to the delight of a raucous crowd of 1,488, lifting Kentucky to a 1-0 upset over sixth-ranked South Carolina on Sunday afternoon at the UK Soccer Complex. Soccer Opens Conference Play with No. 6 USC    The Kentucky men’s soccer team kicks off its Conference USA season on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. when it hosts sixth-ranked South Carolina. Women Women's Soccer Collects First SEC Victory    The Kentucky women’s soccer team exorcised some of its offensive demons of late en route to their first league win, a 3-0 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide (4-8-0, 0-4-0). Volleyball Cats Drop 3-2 Heartbreaker at Auburn    The University of Kentucky volleyball team dropped its third straight match today, Oct. 1, as it fell by a final of 3-2 (30-23, 30-28, 28-30, 24-30, 12-15) to Auburn. Basketball Men Kentucky fans scramble for Blue Madness tix    It didn't take long for Kentucky basketball fans to snap up tickets to the Wildcats' first practice. Tubby and team ready to forget last year     A new strength coach who pushes the players harder. Lessons learned from a dramatically subpar 2005-06 season. No wondering whether Randolph Morris will join the team. Back from Brooklyn, Bradley now a leader    Unsure of UK's future -- and unsatisfied with his 17.7 minutes per game -- Ramel Bradley went to Brooklyn not knowing whether he'd return for his junior season. Ramel Bradley    6-2, 176, junior Point guard/shooting guard He waited two years for the chance to lead the team. He's expected to provide a more consistent scoring threat from the point-guard position and get to the free-throw line more often. Added responsibility is expected to bring greater comfort to his game. Vocal leader. UK BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK: Taking risks to play abroad    Lebanon or Iran. That was the choice former Kentucky player Jules Camara faced. Play in Lebanon, where terror and violence led to the murder of the prime minister and an Israeli bombing campaign this year. Or play in Iran, whose president denies the Holocaust and seems willing to plunge his country into war rather than give up its nuclear program.     Our Privacy statement can be read here...   Disclaimer:  This site solely owned by WildcatZone.Com and is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Kentucky, the Southeastern Conference, or the NCAA copyright (c) 1997-2006, WildcatZone.Com (except where otherwise indicated)