God?s Pantry Contributions Up From Last Year: The God?s Pantry food-relief organization has reported that Kentucky fans increased their donations of canned goods and money at this season?s collection.
As they entered Commonwealth Stadium before the Vanderbilt game on Nov. 13, fans donated 1,506 pounds of food and $1,744.92 to God?s Pantry, an organization that helps provide food to those in need in Central Kentucky. Those figures were up from the donation of 1,200 pounds of food and $1,200 at the game in 2003.
The collection for God?s Pantry is a community-service activity of the UK Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
McCutchan Visited Former Mates at Army-Navy Game: Kentucky center Matt McCutchan, a former midshipman at the United States Naval Academy, was in attendance last Saturday at the annual Army-Navy football game.
McCutchan and his father, Walt, drove to Philadelphia, Pa., to see the game at Lincoln Financial Field.
?It?s more than just a game,? McCutchan said. ?President (George) Bush was there. Senator (John) McCain, who is a Naval Academy grad, was there. Important military figures from around the world were there.
?We got there early so we could watch the cadets and midshipmen march into the stadium. They had flyovers of F-18s and Blackhawks.?
McCutchan was at the Naval Academy in the 2001 and 2002 football seasons. He dressed out for some games in 2001 but missed 2002 because of a neck injury. Doctors told him that further injury would jeopardize his career as a naval officer and that he would have to give up the game if he stayed at the academy. With a burning desire to play college football, McCutchan transferred to Kentucky, sat out the 2003 season as a transfer, then became the starting center for UK in 2004. He still stays in contact with some of his friends at Navy.
?I went to the sections where the midshipmen were sitting and visited some of my old friends,? McCutchan said. ?They were surprised to see me. I had told only one person I was coming. When I see those guys, it?s like I never left.?
Just as pleasing for McCutchan was the action on the field, where Navy defeated Army, 42-13, to cap a 9-2 regular-season record.
?Any time you beat Army, it?s good,? McCutchan said with satisfaction.
McCutchan got to dress out for the Army-Navy game in 2001 and remembers the experience vividly.
?It was just after 9-11,? McCutchan recalled. ?President Bush came in our locker room and spoke to us before the game. He told us that we were bred to be leaders on the football field and in the military. When we stopped playing (Army) on the field, we were going to come together (to defend the country). It was very emotional. I still get goose bumps just thinking about it.?
Offensive Coordinator Joker Phillips Press Conrerence Quotes: UK assistant coach Joker Phillips has been on the road for recruiting. On Friday, Dec. 10, he had his first chance to visit with the media since being named offensive coordinator earlier this week. Joker also is continuing in his role as recruiting coordinator until signing day on Feb. 2. to read the quotes.
