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September 1, 2010
FOOTBALL

Phillips, Players to Switch Focus for Thursday Practice

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Head coach Joker Phillips was pleased with his team’s energy and enthusiasm at practice Wednesday, saying that all preparation has to move to the mental side of the ball to finish preparing for Louisville.

“I like the energy and the enthusiasm but from here on out it is all mental,” Phillips said. “Physically we have done all we can do, now it has to be a mental preparation. Tomorrow’s practice will be a lot of mental reps, getting guys on and off the field, making sure we are in transition in our special teams.”

Phillips talked about not only preparing the team mentally but also the freshmen that should expect to see playing time in their first collegiate game. The first-year head coach has talked extensively this fall about the maturity of the freshman class, including tailback Raymond Sanders whom he termed one of the most mature freshmen he has coached.

“Prepare them mentally so that they are relaxed and know their assignments,” Phillips said. “We think that we have some pretty mature guys. Raymond Sanders is one of the most mature guys that we have ever had as a freshman … We have got some ‘old’ freshmen and they are old enough to understand that.”

Kentucky will return to the practice field for the final time Thursday before the season opener at Louisville on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. Phillips said that the team will play a “mini game” Thursday as part of the final mental preparations.

“We will play a mini game so to speak,” Phillips said. “We have to get our guys back fresh physically and sharp mentally.”

August 31, 2010
FOOTBALL

Wildcats Hit the Practice Field to Prepare for Saturday’s Battle

LEXINGTON, Ky. – With only four days remaining until the University of Kentucky football team hits the field for the season opener against Louisville, head coach Joker Phillips seemed excited about his team’s effort at practice Tuesday.

“It was enthused,” Phillips said. “We had a lot of juice, lots of energy and lots of enthusiasm. Guys are starting to get cranked up and ready.”

That “juice” could be attributed to the physicality and the increased demand the UK coaching staff has put on the players. Phillips said increasing the demand on the players was important in order to continue the growth of the program.

“We made it a physical camp because we felt that is what we had to do to take this thing to the next level and to continue the growth of this program,” Phillips said. “It is one of our goals, too. We have three goals: graduate our players, be known as a physical football team and the other is to win the SEC East.”

Phillips talked extensively yesterday about preparing for Louisville’s personnel, offensively and defensively. The Cardinals return 15 starters from their 2009 squad, including nine on offense and six on defense. UL also has a veteran team with 27 seniors.  Phillips said Tuesday that when you play a rivalry game like UK-UL game, everything goes “out the window.”

“All that stuff goes out the window when you play this game, we all know that,” Phillips said. “It will be a physical game and we want to make our team a physical team.”

Earlier in the week, Phillips and the UK coaching staff announced the two permanent captains for the season in junior wide receiver/quarterback Randall Cobb (offensive captain) and senior defensive end DeQuin Evans (defensive captain). Seniors Mike Hartline and Ricky Lumpkin will be game captains for the Louisville game. 

Phillips also announced that junior tight end Nick Melillo, redshirt freshman safety Dakotah Tyler and junior wide receiver Gene McCaskill definitely will be out for the game against Louisville. However, several Wildcats returned to the practice field on Tuesday, including returning starter at linebacker Danny Trevathan.

Louisville Sports Commission Announces UK-UL MVP Award: The Governor’s Cup game will have a new feature this season as the Louisville Sports Commission, in conjunction with the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville, will name a most valuable player after the UK-UL game. The award will be called the Howard Schnellenberger MVP Award.

The award will be given to the most valuable player on the winning team. The media at the game will vote on the award toward the end of the game.

Schnellenberger was a four-year letterman at the University of Kentucky from 1952 to 1955 and he received All-American honors his senior year as a tight end. Schnellenberger has ties to Louisville as well, coaching 10 years for the Cardinals and is credited with rejuvenating the program.

August 31, 2010
FOOTBALL

Howard Schnellenberger MVP Award Will Honor Player in UK – UL Football Game

First Year Award; Annual MVP Will Be Selected From Winning Team

Louisville, KY (August 31, 2010) -- The Louisville Sports Commission today announced the creation of the Howard Schnellenberger MVP Award that will be presented annually to the most valuable player on the winning team in the University of Louisville – University of Kentucky football game. The announcement was made in conjunction with the athletic departments at both universities and the blessing of Schnellenberger, who has ties to both programs and remarkable football credentials.

“It is a source of great pride for me to become a part of the Governor's Cup Football Game,” Schnellenberger said. “This intense rivalry has become the defining game for collegiate football within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. My hat’s off to the Wildcat and Cardinal teams, coaches and fans.”

Schnellenberger was recruited to UK out of Louisville Flaget (fla-jay’) High School by the legendary Bear Bryant, earned varsity letters in 1952-53-54-55 and was an All-American tight end for the Wildcats under Blanton Collier as a senior. Schnellenberger was an assistant coach at UK under Collier in 1959 and 1960. As the head coach at UofL for 10 years (1985-1994), Schnellenberger is credited with rejuvenating the football program and boosted support for a new, on-campus stadium. He led the Cardinals to victories in the Liberty and Fiesta Bowls.

The annual renewal of the intrastate rivalry between the Cardinals and the Wildcats will be played September 4 at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium in Louisville. The Howard Schnellenberger MVP will be selected by a vote of the working press covering the game as identified by the sports information directors from each school. Voting will take place near or at completion of the game at the discretion of the SIDs.

Schnellenberger currently is head coach and director of football operations at Florida Atlantic University, having built the Division I program from scratch starting in 1998. At Miami, Louisville and FAU, Schnellenberger-coached teams are a remarkable 6-0 in bowl games. Schnellenberger was an integral part of four national championships in college football and two Super Bowl victories. He coached the University of Miami to the 1983 national championship and was offensive coordinator under Bryant at Alabama for national titles in 1961-64-65. He was the offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins under Don Shula, including the 17-0 season in 1972, and assistant for the Los Angeles Rams under George Allen.

The Louisville Sports Commission is an independent, Kentucky-based, 501-c(3) organization committed to creating a legacy of economic and social vitality through sports. LSC attracts and hosts sporting events that have a positive impact on the region, enhance the image of Louisville and Kentucky as  premier sports destinations, promote healthy lifestyles and improve the quality of life for community members of all ages. LSC owns and manages the Paul Hornung Award given annually to the most versatile player in major college football. www.paulhornungaward.com 

August 31, 2010
MEN'S BASKETBALL

ESPN’s Erin Andrews to Appear at Women’s Clinic

Andrews is special guest at 2010 Women’s Clinic

LEXINGTON, Ky. – ESPN’s Erin Andrews will appear as a special guest at the 2010 Women’s Clinic.

Andrews joined ESPN in May 2004 as a reporter for the network’s NHL coverage. Since the 2004 season, Andrews has served as a reporter for the ESPN College Football Saturday telecast, the Saturday Primetime college basketball game and Big Ten college basketball coverage. In 2005, she began reporting from the sidelines of the ESPN College Football Thursday Primetime series and added Major League Baseball sideline reporting to her responsibilities. She is now also assigned to the season-long Monday Night Baseball telecast.

The women’s clinic, designed for women with all levels of basketball knowledge, is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 6:00 p.m. ET. Attendees will learn the Dribble Drive Motion offense, get a tour of the Cats' state-of-the-art practice facility, and coaches' offices. There will also be scheduled presentations that include behind-the-scenes looks at UK video, strength and conditioning and sports injury/rehabilitation lectures, as well as a Q&A with Coach Calipari, staff and current players.

Registration for the women’s clinic will be from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. on October 6th in the Joe Craft Center.

There cannot be any recruitable age participants at the Women’s Clinic. Any person entering 7th grade-12th grade will not be allowed to register or attend.

August 30, 2010
FOOTBALL

Excerpts from Coach Joker Phillips’ news conference.


August 30, 2010

ALL SPORTS REPORT

August 30, 2010
WOMEN'S SOCCER

Hiance Named SEC Defensive Player of the Week

Fifth career SEC weekly honor for the senior goalie

LEXINGTON, KY – UK senior goalkeeper Sydney Hiance has been named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week as announced by the league office on Monday.

Hiance, a native of Ft. Thomas, Ky., posted her 16th career shutout Friday night in helping lead the Wildcats to a 2-0 win over Indiana. She recorded eight saves in the victory and lowered her career goals against average to (GAA) to 1.23.

"Syd worked extremely hard over the summer and dedicated herself to being prepared for her senior year,” said UK assistant coach Aaron Rodgers, who trains the goalkeepers. “She has embraced the style of play that we teach and is playing as well as she has since this staff has been at UK."

Hiance has a 0.00 GAA so far this season, tied for first in the SEC and she is now only four saves shy of her 200th career save.

The award is the fifth of her collegiate career which is the most for any Wildcat in school history. It’s the first for the Kentucky this season and the 18th time a UK player has received any sort of SEC player of the week honor.

Kentucky hits the road this weekend for its first road test of the season. The Wildcats travel to Winston-Salem, N.C. to take on the 16th ranked Virginia Tech Hokies and 10th ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons.

August 29, 2010
VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball Drops Four-Set Match to No. 9 Iowa St.

Kentucky registers 11 blocks, but Iowa State claims match on 62 kills

OMAHA, Neb. – Despite 11 team blocks led by five each from juniors Becky Pavan and Gretchen Giesler, the 14th-ranked Kentucky volleyball team dropped a 3-1 (25-17, 22-25, 25-22, 25-22) match to No. 9 Iowa State, Sunday on the final day of the Runza/AVCA Showcase.

Pavan and Giesler teamed up to help total 10 of UK’s 11 blocks on the night. Sophomore libero Stephanie Klefot totaled 18 digs in the defensive effort. Iowa State (1-1) benefited from 11 UK (0-2) service errors and 22 hitting errors in the match.

“Iowa State did a great job responding after its loss yesterday and the loss of one of its players,” UK coach Craig Skinner said. “It is an experienced team and they stepped up and made plays when they needed to, which is what Kentucky needs to learn how to do. Getting over the hump of not giving up runs of points will help this team learn how to win together.”

Setter Christine Hartmann set a career-high with 42 assists and added three kills and six digs on the night. Freshman Whitney Billings led the team with a career-best 15 kills while senior Blaire Hiler added 11 hammers. Pavan charted nine kills and senior Lauren Rapp added eight.

Kentucky and Iowa State traded points back and forth for the early portions of the set with the Blue and White earning an 8-7 edge into the first media timeout. Giesler hammered down a pair of kills and she teamed up with Billings for a towering block to help UK get off to a good start. Out of the break UK picked up consecutive tallies behind a Hartmann kill and then the Wildcats’ setter teamed up with Pavan for a block to force Iowa State to use an early timeout with UK leading 10-7.

The Cyclones and Wildcats battled back and forth with Iowa State able to inch closer and eventually tie the score at 12 apiece. Skinner opted to slow down the scoring and use his first timeout of the stanza.

After a block by Giesler and Billings, Iowa State rattled off back-to-back kills to take a 16-14 edge into the second media break of the set. Out of the break the Cyclones charted three more unanswered points and UK used its final timeout of the set trailing 19-14. The Cyclones closed the set on a 6-3 run to earn the opening set win with a 25-17 score.

Iowa State totaled 15 kills compared to seven from the Wildcats. Rapp and Giesler led the Blue and White with a pair of hammers each and Klefot charted four digs in the stanza.

Billings began the scoring in the second stanza with a kill which ignited a UK rally. The Wildcats took an 8-4 edge into the first media timeout behind six kills on .444 hitting. Kentucky extended its advantage to a 12-6 margin as the Wildcats totaled four more kills and then Rapp and Giesler teamed up for a stuff-block to force the Cyclones into a timeout. The squads traded points with the Blue and White maintaining a six-point advantage into the second media break with a 16-10 score.

The Cyclones broke the huddle and ran off three straight points to pull to within 16-13 and forced UK to take its first timeout of the frame. Iowa State battled back to within one at 17-16 and then eventually knotted the score at 19 all. The Cyclones gave a point back to the Blue and White with a service error and then Klefot charted an ace to give the Wildcats a two-point edge at 21-19. A Rapp-Pavan block gave UK a three-point cushion and the Cyclones opted to use their final timeout. Kills from Rapp, Pavan and Billings helped UK end the set with a 25-22 win and even the set scores at one apiece.

UK charted a season-high 17 kills in the set and used a .297 hitting clip in the process. Billings led the way with six kills to aid the UK cause.

Iowa State claimed an early 8-4 edge into the first media timeout in the third stanza. The Cyclones benefited from five UK miscues from the service line and hitting errors combined to take the lead. Kentucky clawed its way back into things and knotted the score at 10 apiece after consecutive plays from Rapp. The senior charted a kill and then teamed up with Giesler for another Big Blue block. Iowa State answered with three straight points of its own to reclaim a three-point lead at 14-11 and forcing UK into a timeout. Into the second media break of the set the Cyclones maintained a three-point edge at 16-13.

The Wildcats continued to fight and clawed back to within one at 23-22, but Iowa State would score the final two points to take the third set by a 25-22 margin. Kentucky committed seven service errors in the frame.

In the fourth set, Iowa State jumped out to an early 3-0 advantage. UK would eventually come back and tie the score at six apiece. Iowa State, however, would chart consecutive points to take the 8-6 edge into the first stoppage of play. Out of the break, Kentucky charted three kills and Hartmann came up with a solo block as the Blue and White pulled out in front by a 10-8 score and forced Iowa State to take a timeout.

Kentucky managed to maintain a lead into the second media timeout of the stanza, but Iowa State pulled back to within one at 16-15 behind a pair of long-rally kills. Iowa State eventually tied the score at 16 all and the teams continued to exchange points before the Cyclones broke for a two-point edge at 23-21 behind a kill and a block. After a UK timeout Iowa State managed to score on another kill to take a 24-21 lead and UK opted to use its second timeout. Out of the second break, Hiler tossed down a kill to keep the game alive, but Iowa State answered with a kill to take the match on a 25-22 set four score.

UK Notes

· Redshirt freshman Whitney Billings earned her first career start in just her second collegiate match. Billings set a career-high with 15 kills on the night.

· Setter Christine Hartmann had career-highs in assists (42) and kills (3).

August 28, 2010
VOLLEYBALL

Wildcats Fall to No. 2 Nebraska on Opening Night

Whitney Billings leads UK offensively in her first career match

OMAHA Neb. – The 14th-ranked Kentucky volleyball team saw great potential from redshirt freshman Whitney Billings in her opening collegiate match as she led the squad in kills in a 3-0 (25-9, 25-14, 25-20) UK loss to No. 2 Nebraska Saturday night, in front of an electric crowd of 5,853 fans at the Runza/AVCA Showcase.

Billings led the Blue and White (0-1) offensively with nine kills and added a block and nine digs in UK’s opening night loss.

“Nebraska may be the best team we will face all season,” UK coach Craig Skinner said. “They have six strong rotations and you never get a break. I thought our team improved each set and never quit. We will continue to get better, and I think that will start tomorrow morning in practice.”

Nebraska played as if it was in mid-season form with a staggering 49 kills and nine blocks stifling UK’s young squad. The Wildcats struggled to find its rhythm and totaled 18 kills, but outside hitters Billings and senior Blaire Hiler with five kills led the Wildcats. Setter Christine Hartmann had seven digs and dished out 14 assists.

UK registered 4.5 blocks as middle blocker Gretchen Giesler totaled two block assists. Sophomore Stephanie Klefot picked up 11 digs in her libero debut and senior Lauren Rapp totaled six.

Play opened to an extended rally as both teams took strong swings and defensive play took precedence in the early going. Nebraska finished the rally with a back-court kill to earn the first point of the match. The Cornhuskers took the first three points of the opening set before a service error by the home team gave the Blue and White its first point of the night. A Hiler-Becky Pavan block followed by a kill from Hiler brought the Wildcats to within 4-3. Nebraska then charted 10 consecutive points to take a commanding 14-3 advantage and never looked back before closing to a 25-9 first set victory.

A Big Blue block by the UK trio of Giesler, Billings and Rapp opened the second set scoring. UK took a 4-1 advantage to begin the frame as Hiler tacked down another kill and the Wildcats benefited from a pair of Cornhusker miscues. Kentucky took an 8-4 advantage into the first media break after Pavan smacked down a kill to take the teams into the first break. Kentucky’s defense picked up as the Wildcats forced the Huskers into four hitting errors in the early going.

Following the break the Husker defense sizzled to ignite an offensive rally as the home team put together an eight point run before Hiler laid down a kill to bring UK back to within three at 12-9. Nebraska benefited from a 3-1 run to take a 16-10 advantage into the second media break. With Nebraska leading by a 21-10 score the Wildcats went on a run of their one by rattling off four consecutive points highlighted by a pair of Billings’ kills to pull to within 21-14. After the home team opted for a timeout to slow down the scoring the Huskers finished out the set with four straight points to take a 2-0 set lead by a 25-14 margin.

After the home team scored the first two points of the third set Kentucky charted four straight tallies of its own to take a 4-2 lead. Billings had a solo block and then Giesler and Hartmann teamed up for another to ignite the rally. Kentucky took an 8-6 lead into the first media break behind a pair of kills from Billings and Hartmann while also benefiting from a few Nebraska errors.

The teams traded points back and forth and Nebraska eventually knotted the score at 11 apiece. Nebraska’s offense took over and charted a 6-0 run to take a 16-11 lead into the final media break of the set. Kentucky answered with consecutive points of its own behind stellar serving from Pavan to pull to within 16-13. After the home team took a 20-15 lead, the Wildcats fired back with three straight points to pull to within 20-18. Rapp led the charge with a kill and a solo block to force the Huskers into a timeout. Kentucky saved set point twice before the Huskers won the match on a kill into the back row.

The Wildcats will take on No. 9 Iowa State (0-1), Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. The Cyclones dropped a four-set match to No. 13 Florida in the opening match of the AVCA Showcase.

UK Notes

· Setter Christine Hartmann earned her first career start, while Stephanie Klefot posted her first starting nod at the libero position.
· Redshirt freshman Whitney Billings saw her first career action in the opening set of play. She nearly finished with a double-double with nine kills and nine digs.
· Freshman Jessi Greenberg opened her collegiate action in the second set of play and scooped up one dig.

August 27, 2010
WOMEN'S SOCCER

Women’s Soccer Scores 2-0 Win over Indiana

Hiance records first shutout of the season

LEXINGTON, KY – The UK women’s soccer team improved to 2-0 with a 2-0 win over Indiana (1-1-0) at the UK Soccer Complex Friday night.

Kentucky wasted no time, taking a 1-0 lead in the third minute on Natalie Horner’s first career goal as a Wildcat. Using the attacking style UK head coach Jon Lipsitz wants, the Wildcats had a numbers advantage with Taylor Parker controlling the ball down the far sideline. Parker centered a pass over to Jenna Goobie near the top of the 18-yard box who passed back over to a streaking Horner. Horner controlled the ball and pushed it past IU goalie Lindsay Campbell.

“It was a fantastic early goal; it might turn out to be the goal of the year,” UK head coach Jon Lipsitz said. “It was brilliant.”

The Hoosiers had possibly their best opportunity in the first half to score in the 25th minute when Rebecca Candler weaved through the Kentucky defense and fired a point blank shot, but UK goalie Sydney Hiance was able to get her hands up in time to knock the ball down, allowing the Cats to clear.

Indiana controlled play for the remainder of the half following the UK goal, outshooting the Wildcats 8-0 and keeping Hiance busy, forcing the Kentucky senior goalie into five saves.

“Our early goal changed the game,” said Lipsitz. “Even though we played very poorly in the first half against the run of play, we were ahead 1-0 at halftime. It really helps a coach to go in at halftime and say, ‘We just played very poorly, and I doubt we’re going to play any worse. Indiana was clearly the better team in the first half, but against the run of play, here’s a positive, so let’s take it. Here are the things we need to do to get better.’ And I really challenged them at halftime and said, ‘We’ve worked on things for three weeks together and if we can do those things we can play better in the second half and I know you can do it, but it’s up to you, not us (coaches).’ I thought we came out and played extremely well in the second half.”

UK came out firing in second half. Not even a minute in, Kelsey Hunyadi was wide open at the top of the 18-yard box and fired a shot that a diving Campbell got a fingertip on and tipped just enough to force the shot off the post.

Hunyadi finally got hers, adding an insurance goal off a tricky play in the 70th minute. Hunyadi controlled the ball on the Indiana end line, dribbling to within 10 yards of the goal. She then whipped a shot that deflected off Campbell and in for her third goal of the season and a 2-0 UK lead.

Kentucky finished with 10 shots, despite managing just one shot in the first half. They did manage five shots on goal in the second 45 minutes.

Hiance finished with eight saves, pushing her career total to 196 while collecting her 16th career shutout.

UK has the rest of the weekend off from competition and returns to action next weekend, taking on a pair of Top 25 teams in Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.

UK Game Notes
• Sydney Hiance is only four saves shy of her 200th career save.
• Hiance recorded her 16th career shutout. She ranks fourth on UK’s all-time shutout list and is three shy of third.
• Of Kentucky’s 18 points so far this season, 17 have been scored by newcomers.
• Kelsey Hunyadi leads the team with three goals and six points this season.
• Hiance’s eight saves was the most since she recorded nine against Florida last season on Sept. 25.

August 27, 2010
MEN'S SOCCER

DREW MIDKIFF NETS TWO IN FINAL EXHIBITION TUNE-UP

UK Senior Drew Midkiff Scores Two Goals in UK’s Final Preseason Match

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- In the final preseason exhibition game of the 2010 season, the Kentucky men’s soccer team got two goals from senior Drew Midkiff, as UK and Marquette played to a 2-2 draw, on a gorgeous Friday afternoon at the UK Soccer Complex.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Midkiff had a breakout offensive game in the final exhibition game of the season. Midkiff, a defensive midfielder, scored in the 48th minute to even the game and again in the 58th minute to give UK a 2-1 lead. As a junior, in his first year with the program last year, Midkiff played in 16 games, adding one assist. On both of Midkiff’s goals on Friday, Pierre Manga assisted.

“It was good to get out and compete against another solid opponent,” UK head coach Ian Collins said. “We had another good opportunity to play lots of guys and give them good experience. We played around 27-28 players, including all four of our keepers, so it was a good chance for them to get on the field. We have lots to work on before we open the season, so we will use this last week as a learning experience and get ready for next Friday.”

Marquette got a goal from Charlie Hoover in the 35th minute to open the scoring and Calum Mallace’s free-kick goal in the 90th minute evened the game. Both coaching staffs agreed to play an additional 20 minutes after the regulation 90 frames, emptying the bench for the modified extra-time period.

UK had several chances throughout the game but one of the most impressive threats was in the sixth minute. Freshman Tyler Riggs, a native of Louisville, Ky., got the starting assignment at forward and he immediately began brewing some offense, firing a shot inside the box that required a diving save from Marquette’s keeper.

The Wildcats totaled 11 shots and registered five corner kicks, with UK’s goalkeepers making three total saves. Tyler Beadle got the start and saved two shots, logging 61 minutes.

Kentucky will open its regular-season on Sept. 3, hosting the annual University of Kentucky Invitational. The tournament will open with a matchup at 5 p.m. ET between IUPUI and UNC Asheville, before UK hosts Eastern Illinois at 7:30 p.m. ET in the regular-season opener.

Marquette struck first in the 35th minute, as Anthony Colaizzi lifted a cross from just at the top of the 18-yard box into the back corner of the six-yard box, where Charlie Hoover headed it into the goal for the first score of the contest.

August 27, 2010
FOOTBALL

Wildcats Prepare for Final Scrimmage on Saturday

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky football team will hold its final scrimmage Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium but first-year head coach Joker Phillips said Friday morning that the team has already turned its full attention to Louisville.

“At this stage it is all Louisville,” Phillips said. “We broke camp on Tuesday and we have always had a period on Louisville during training camp, while also trying to get ourselves better fundamentally and doing all those things. We are now all Louisville.”

The Wildcats practiced for two hours Friday morning with Phillips talking mostly about the tight end position afterwards. The battle at tight end has been one of the best battles of fall camp with several players fighting for reps since the injury of junior Nick Melillo.

Phillips told reporters after practice if the season started today that redshirt freshman Jordan Aumiller would be the first player on the field.

“If we played today, (Jordan) Aumiller,” Phillips said when asked who his No. 1 tight end would be. “Aumiller has been playing well enough to be the first guy that comes out on the field.”

Phillips continued to mention freshman Tyler Robinson, saying that he would be No. 2 on the depth chart as of now with his physical play.

Other position battles are not as clear to the first-year coach, especially at some offensive line positions and at linebacker. Phillips has spoke highly of the offensive line the past few weeks, saying he loved how they were coming off the ball and getting downfield.

“The center position is still undecided and the right tackle (position),” Phillips said. “We feel really good about both of those guys, (Brad) Durham and Billy Joe Murphy. We haven’t decided who will be the first one out on the field but both of them are playing really good for us right now.”

Phillips said the battle at strongside linebacker between senior Jacob Dufrene and sophomore Ridge Wilson is starting to take shape with Dufrene being a little bit ahead of Wilson. Phillips said they will use the scrimmage tomorrow to evaluate the position more.

Phillips also announced that junior Ryan Tydlacka will likely handle the punting for UK this season and has been the most consistent in field goal and extra point kicking. Freshman Joe Mansour also has been kicking the ball well and will could be used as the long field goal kicker for UK. Kickoff duty is still undecided.

Auguist 26, 2010
FOOTBALL

Injured Wildcats, Coach Brooks Return to Practice Field

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A day after the start of classes, several players who have missed time on the practice field returned to the Nutter Training Facility practice fields healthy and ready to go Thursday.

“We went a lot faster today,” Phillips said. “We had a couple of guys back. DeQuin Evans was back and it was one of the first times that Qua Huzzie has been back and he was looking fast.”

Evans, a returning starter that led the Wildcats last season in tackles-for-loss and sacks, has been nursing a shoulder problem that has kept him sidelined more than a week. Huzzie also was out an extended amount of time with a large blister on his foot. Phillips announced that Huzzie has begun working at weakside linebacker to be the backup behind junior Danny Trevathan.  Huzzie also will continue to play middle linebacker as well.

“That is the deal, we have to get our next best backer ready to go in at any spot,” Phillips said. “We feel that Qua is our next best backer so he went over there to play that position.”

La’Rod King, a sophomore from Radcliff, Ky., also returned to the practice field, much to the pleasure of Phillips and the UK coaching staff. Phillips has said multiple times in fall camp that the team needs another presence at wide receiver in addition to than junior Randall Cobb and senior Chris Matthews. King has been out with a “stinger” in his neck and shoulder area.

“It was good to see La’Rod King out there today,” Phillips said. “La’Rod definitely gives us a little more offensively when he is out there as our third wide receiver.”

Freshman wide receiver Brain Adams is one of the guys that Phillips and UK wide receiver coach Tee Martin have been looking to step up and make plays. Phillips said he things Adams is “starting to turn the corner.”

“I think that Brian Adams had a really good practice today and made some plays that we have been expecting him to make since we have been in camp,” Phillips said. “Hopefully, he is starting to turn the corner for us because we need four or five receivers that can make plays for us.”

The head coach continued to speak highly of the offensive line, saying he liked how fast they were coming off the ball and getting on people. Phillips said the ability of the offensive line to make blocks at the next level “makes him excited.” The head coach said that senior Brad Durham and junior Billy Joe Murphy are battling for the starting nod at right tackle.

Former UK football coach Rich Brooks stopped by to take in practice today and talked with the team afterwards, telling the players to take care of themselves on and off the field and the history they could make.

“We have tried to get this thing to the next level the last couple of years and have come close,” Phillips said when asked what Brooks said to the team. “He talked about making sure we take care of our business so we can take it to the next level.”

Phillips announced that redshirt freshman linebacker Ryan Mosby has asked for his release from the UK football team and will transfer to another school.

August 26, 2010
MEN'S BASKETBALL

UK Coach John Calipari on this season's schedule…

“This year’s schedule challenges us from game one and I hope it will prepare our young team for the battles we will face in March. Great job by John Robic and our athletic department in getting the schedule together. There should be lots for the Big Blue Nation to get excited over.”

August 26, 2010
MEN'S BASKETBALL

2010 UK Men's Basketball Schedule Released

The road for the Kentucky men's basketball team in year two of the John Calipari era has been set.

The UK Athletics Department released the always highly anticipated schedule for the upcoming 2010-11 season Thursday, setting the stage for what should be another wildly entertaining ride. For the second year in a row, Cat Scratches is proud to unveil the complete schedule breakdown, fit with last season's records, RPI, returning starters and what you need to know as a Wildcat fan for each and every game.

From Monday, Aug. 30-Friday, Sept. 3  the Joe Craft Center Ticket Office will be open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. to facilitate student season ticket pick up and basketball renewals.

Cincinnati
Xavier
Miami
Northern Kentucky
Thomas More College
Mt. St. Joseph
Kentucky
Cincinnati State
UC-Clermont
Miami-Hamilton
Miami-Middletown
Dayton
Wright State

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