Sept. 2, 2008
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Following his dominant performance in Sunday’s 27-2 win at Louisville, Kentucky defensive tackle Myron Pryor has been named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week by the league office.
A native of Louisville, Pryor played a role in two defensive touchdowns and a key fourth-down stop against his hometown team. In the second quarter, Pryor knocked loose a fumble that safety Ashton Cobb scooped up and scored from 28 yards away. Later in the quarter, Pryor assisted linebacker Micah Johnson on a 4 th -and-1 stop at the Wildcat 21-yard line, turning over the ball on downs. In the fourth quarter, linebacker Johnny Williams caused a fumble that Pryor picked up and raced 72 yards for the game’s final touchdown. Pryor totaled three tackles in the game, one for loss, in addition to the fumble plays.
Pryor becomes the first Wildcat defensive lineman to be named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week in 16 years, since Dean Wells vs. Indiana in 1992. (Jeremy Jarmon won the league’s Defensive Lineman of the Week honor last season, but not the overall defensive player of the week.)
Wildcats, Spartans Getting Votes: The Kentucky football team received more votes in this week’s top-25 polls after Sunday’s victory at Louisville.
Kentucky got 20 points in the USA Today coaches’ poll, placing ninth among teams in the “others receiving votes” category. The Wildcats got five points in The Associated Press poll, placing 13 th among others receiving votes.
Kentucky ‘s opponent on Saturday, Norfolk State, also is receiving votes in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision poll. The Spartans got 48 points this week, ranking 11 th among others receiving votes.
Scout Team Players of the Week: Offensive tackle Trevino Woods, linebacker Antonio Thomas and wide receiver Matt Roark were named the UK Scout Team Players of the Week for their work in preparing the Wildcats for last week’s win at Louisville.
Woods, a freshman from Athens, Ga., and Thomas, a redshirt freshman from Cowpens, S.C., were named for offense and defense, respectively. Roark was chosen for his work on special teams. Ironically, Roark played on special teams vs. Louisville and blocked a field-goal attempt.