Nov. 8, 2011
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Returning to the practice fields in preparation for the upcoming game at Vanderbilt, the University of Kentucky football team took advantage of a beautiful Lexington day with mild temperatures and clear skies by having a good practice at the Nutter Training Facility on Tuesday.
Kentucky football head coach Joker Phillips, who has been generally pleased with his team’s intensity in practice this season, said Kentucky had another good day on Tuesday, but needs to “tone up” some things on Wednesday.
Phillips said the UK coaching staff has not let the Wildcats lose focus in practice this season, but that Kentucky winning two of its last three games definitely helps the intensity.
“We have been consistent with the way we have practiced and winning definitely helps,” Phillips said. “It helps us practice harder but they have always come out here and practiced hard. I give credit to our coaching staff. Our coaches will not allow them to not practice hard and fast and with enthusiasm.”
Phillips was asked if the playbook for true freshman quarterback Maxwell Smith would be expanded for the upcoming game.
“We will continue to tweak and find routes that will help us with the different opponents that we will play,” Phillips said. “It (the playbook) will be about the same as it was last week. We will always add some things, especially in the passing route department, to help us defeat some of the coverages that we see each week.”
Phillips said after practice that junior tailback Coshik Williams will start at tailback on Saturday as UK continues to try to get sophomore Raymond Sanders back from a sprained ankle. Sanders hopes to be ready to go Saturday and will serve as the backup. Williams has averaged 107.7 rushing yards in the last three games.
Also on the injury front, Phillips said that junior linebacker/end Ridge Wilson, defensive linemen Mister Cobble and Donte Rumph, and wide receiver Matt Roark did not practice on Tuesday. Tight end Tyler Robinson did not have contact on Tuesday.
