An MRI test on junior defensive tackle Lamar Mills has revealed a torn knee ligament and he will miss the remainder of the season, Coach Rich Brooks has announced.
Mills sustained the injury on Sunday late in the game vs. Louisville. He made a career-high eight stops against the Cardinals.
Asked about his disappointment regarding Mills? injury, Coach Rich Brooks said, ?Disappointment is a mild term. This is devastating for him because he played such a great game (vs. Louisville). He has been playing better than he ever has, and this is a big disappointment, for him and for our defense.?
Mills? injury makes UK?s defensive tackle situation more precarious, as Ricky Abren continues to be out indefinitely while his broken wrist heals. The good news at defensive tackle is that Jason Leger, who has been out with a knee sprain, will be available to play on Saturday. In addition, medical tests have cleared freshman Myron Pryor to resume activity. Pryor has been battling problems with leg cramps. In addition, defensive end Cedric Koger has been moved to tackle in order to provide more depth.
Military Appreciation Day: Saturday?s game will be Military Appreciation Day at Commonwealth Stadium. UK has given 5,000 tickets to military personnel from Fort Knox.
A giant flag will be unfurled on the field in pregame ceremonies during the playing of ?God Bless America.? The flag, which measures 300 feet by 165 feet, will cover the field from goalline to goalline and sideline to sideline. The flag will be held up by 60 cadets from UK Air Force ROTC, 60 cadets from UK Army ROTC, 88 soldiers from Fort Knox, and 80 members of the UK Student Athletic Council (underneath the flag).
Members of the military also may buy tickets for the game at a discounted price, see note below.
Tickets Available: Tickets are available for Saturday?s game vs. Idaho State, which is slated for a 6 p.m. kickoff. Sideline tickets cost $29 and end zone seats are $22 each. Tickets may be purchased:
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Memorial Coliseum ticket office
On the phone by calling 800-928-CATS
On the Internet at
On game day at the Commonwealth Stadium ticket office, beginning at 4 p.m.
Discount for Members of the Military: Members of the military may buy tickets for the Idaho State game at a special discount price of $16 each. Military personnel wishing to buy the discounted seats must present their identification in person at the Memorial Coliseum ticket office or on game day at the Commonwealth Stadium ticket office, which opens Saturday at 4 p.m.
Record-Setting Sales of Student Tickets: Kentucky students have set a record for student season-ticket sales in football. UK students have bought 3,549 season tickets, breaking last season?s record of approximately 3,400 season tickets sold.
Brooks, Lewis Have Met Before: Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks and Idaho State Coach Larry Lewis have faced off before, when Brooks was the head coach at Oregon and Lewis was the assistant head coach at Washington State. Here are the results:
1989 – Washington State, 51-38
1991 – Oregon, 40-14
1992 – Oregon, 34-17
1993 – Oregon, 46-23
1994 – Washington State, 21-7 (Oregon?s only Pac-10 loss as the Ducks went to the Rose Bowl)
Eight True Freshmen Played in the Opener: The official participation report for Sunday?s game against Louisville shows that eight true freshmen played against the Cardinals, including offensive tackle James Alexander, fullback John Conner, cornerback David Jones, linebacker Braxton Kelley, punter Tim Masthay, defensive tackle Myron Pryor, safety Adam Richey, and linebacker Johnny Williams. Alexander, Conner, Jones, Masthay, and Richey played solely on special teams.
Kentucky Football Calendar: Practices are closed to the media and public unless noted otherwise. Interviews are available at the end of practice. Ending times should be checked frequently, as many practice times get adjusted.
Sat. Sept. 10 – Idaho State at Kentucky, 6:00 p.m., BBSN delay TV
Mon. Sept. 12 – Luncheon/news conference, 11:15 a.m., Wildcat Den – No practice
Tues. Sept. 13 – Practice, 9:15 to 11:40 a.m. (tentative)
Wed. Sept. 14 – Practice, 9:15 to 11:40 a.m. (tentative)
Thurs. Sept. 15 – Practice, 9:15 to 11:00 a.m. (tentative)
