Nov. 22, 2009
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Tailback Derrick Locke was named honorable-mention National Running Back of the Week and kickoff man Craig McIntosh was chosen as honorable-mention National Kickoff Specialist of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards for their efforts in Kentucky’s 34-27 win at Georgia.
The College Football Performance Awards are a scientific evaluation of game-day achievements.
Locke (Hugo, Okla.) led the Wildcats in rushing with 16 carries for 80 yards, including two carries for a first down to run out the clock on the game’s final possession. He caught two passes for 80 yards, and both were big ones – a 20-yarder for a touchdown and a 60-yarder that went the distance for another TD. He added 85 yards in kickoff returns for 245 all-purpose yards.
McIntosh kicked off six times against Georgia, with his hang time and placement helping pin the Bulldogs within their own 21-yard line on three occasions. McIntosh (Lexington, Ky.) also was honored last week as the National Kickoff Specialist of the Week.
SEC “Helmet Sticker” for Maxwell: Linebacker Sam Maxwell received a “helmet sticker” award from Chris Low of ESPN.com for his performance in the win at Georgia.
Maxwell (Hartwell, Ga.) led the Wildcat defense with a career-high 11 tackles, including one for loss. He also had the game-clinching interception with 1:45 remaining in the game.
Maxwell was one of five Southeastern Conference players to earn the helmet sticker in Saturday’s action.
Wildcats Get Poll Votes: Kentucky received votes in The Associated Press and USA Today coaches’ top-25 polls released Sunday.
The Wildcats got two votes in the AP and were ninth in the “others receiving votes” category, the equivalent of 34 th overall. One UK vote in the USA Today poll placed the Wildcats 15 th among others receiving votes, equal to 40 th overall.
Kentucky received votes in the first four coaches’ polls of the year, the last time on Sept. 20. This is the first time of the season for UK to get AP mention.
It Hasn’t Happened in Almost a Century: Kentucky’s win over Georgia gave the Wildcats at least seven wins in four consecutive seasons. The last time that happened was 1909-12 when those Cats won at least seven per season.
Second-Largest Crowd to See UK Victory: Kentucky’s 34-27 win at Georgia on Saturday marked the second-largest crowd ever to see a Wildcat football victory.
Last night’s game drew 92,746 fans to Sanford Stadium. The only larger crowd to see the Wildcats triumph was in 1984, when UK won at Tennessee before 93,791 fans in Neyland Stadium.
The Georgia game displaced UK’s October win at Auburn for second place on the list. A total of 86,217 were on hand on Oct. 17 for UK’s win at Jordan-Hare Stadium, which is now the third-largest crowd to see a UK triumph.
12 th Fourth-Quarter Comeback Since 2006: Since mid-season 2006, a span of 42 games, Kentucky has come from behind in the fourth quarter to win 12 games. UK has three such rallies this season, coming back in the final stanza to defeat Louisville, Auburn and Georgia.
To put that achievement in perspective, you have to back 170 games (from 2006 to the 1991 season) in order to find 12 more Kentucky fourth-quarter comeback victories.
“Cat Walk” Set for 4:45 p.m.: Fans wishing to participate in the “Cat Walk,” cheering the Wildcats when they enter Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday, should be at Gate 1 of the stadium at 4:45 p.m.
