Oct. 21, 2008
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Five defensive starters – tackle Myron Pryor, linebackers Braxton Kelley, Johnny Williams and Micah Johnson, and cornerback David Jones — missed practice Tuesday morning because of injuries, Coach Rich Brooks announced after the morning workout at the Nutter Training Facility.
Brooks confirmed that Pryor will miss Saturday’s game at Florida as he recovers from a high-ankle sprain incurred during Saturday’s win over Arkansas. The other players’ availability for the game vs. the Gators is “questionable to doubtful,” according to the coach. In addition, free safety Marcus McClinton missed approximately half of Tuesday’s practice while he recovers from injury.
Pryor has been a commanding presence in the middle of the Wildcat defense. The senior from Louisville, Ky., has 20 tackles this season and leads Kentucky in tackles for loss (7.5) and quarterback sacks (3.5). Ricky Lumpkin, a sophomore from Clarksville, Tenn., is expected to get the start in Pryor’s place. He has made 10 tackles this season, including 2.5 for loss.
The absences are tough blows for the Wildcat defense, which will be challenged by a Gator attack that leads the Southeastern Conference with 38.5 points per game.
On the offensive side, the team’s leading rusher, Derrick Locke, and leading pass receiver, Dicky Lyons are out for the season because of knee injuries sustained in the last two games.
“We have a lot of work to do in the training room, in the film room and on the practice field to get some people who haven’t played that much ready to play,” Brooks said.
Kentucky (5-2 overall, 1-2 SEC) visits Florida (5-1, 3-1) on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. The game will be a regional telecast on Raycom Sports.
Williams, Cobb are Game Captains: Linebacker/defensive end Johnny Williams and wide receiver/quarterback/punt returner Randall Cobb will be the game captains for Saturday’s game at Florida, Coach Rich Brooks has announced.
Game captains are normally selected on the basis of performance in the previous game. In UK’s 21-20 win over Arkansas, Williams made six tackles, including one for loss, and caused the fumble that began the Wildcats’ late-game comeback. Cobb caught five passes for 73 yards, including two touchdowns in the final 4:15 of the game. He also returned three punts for 24 yards and completed 2 of 3 passes for 45 yards.
Williams, a senior from Jacksonville, Fla., and Cobb, a freshman from Alcoa, Tenn., will join permanent captains Tony Dixon and Braxton Kelley at the pregame coin toss.
