Sept. 4, 2008
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Senior left tackle Garry Williams, Kentucky’s most experienced offensive lineman, is out for an estimated two to three weeks because of a cartilage tear in his knee, Coach Rich Brooks announced after Thursday morning’s practice.
Williams, who has started 26 consecutive games, had developed swelling in his knee this week. An MRI exam revealed the cartilage tear and he had surgery Thursday morning to repair the injury. Brooks said it would be a challenge to overcome the loss of Williams, even more so in light of the fact that Saturday’s opponent, Norfolk State, plays a 3-4 defensive system. The 3-4 scheme forces offenses to change blocking patterns from the 4-3 alignment that most defenses use.
“It (playing a different system) creates a lot of problems from an inexperience standpoint, when you lose a guy that has played that many (games) and protects the blind side of the quarterback,” Brooks said.
Brooks said that either redshirt freshman Billy Joe Murphy or junior James Alexander would start in Williams’ place. Alexander continues to deal with a sprained ankle incurred in August.
“Murphy has been one of our most improved linemen,” Brooks said. “He’s had a very good fall camp.”
Kentucky (1-0) has its home opener vs. Norfolk State (1-0) Saturday at 6 p.m. Tickets are available at a cost of $35 each.
Pryor, Masthay are Game Captains: Defensive tackle Myron Pryor and punter / kicker Tim Masthay will be the game captains for Saturday’s home opener vs. Norfolk State, Coach Rich Brooks has announced.
Game captains are normally selected on the basis of performance in the previous game. In UK’s 27-2 win over Louisville, Pryor caused a fumble that was returned for a touchdown, helped make the tackle on a crucial fourth-down stop, then picked up another fumble and returned it 72 yards for a TD. Masthay played a key role in helping UK get a decisive advantage in field position. He had a great game as a punter and kickoff man, averaging 42.8 yards per punt while nailing four touchbacks on kickoffs.
Pryor and Masthay will join permanent captains Tony Dixon and Braxton Kelley at the pregame coin toss.
