In a rematch between two of the nation?s premier collegiate rifle programs, the No. 2 University of Kentucky rifle team (6-1, 1-0 GARC) plays host to No. 1 Alaska-Fairbanks (2-0) on Saturday at UK?s Buell Armory. The meet is scheduled for an 8 a.m. EST start.

The two teams met on Oct. 25 in Fairbanks, Alas., as the five-time defending NCAA champion Nanooks claimed a narrow 6235-6204 victory. Alaska-Fairbanks? Karl Olsson led all shooters with an aggregate score of 1567, while Kentucky?s Bradley Wheeldon followed closely behind at 1565.

The Nanooks have been something of a nemesis for Coach Harry Mullins? Wildcats. At the 2001 and 2002 NCAA Rifle Championships, Kentucky finished second only to Alaska-Fairbanks, and at the 2003 NCAA Rifle Championships, only the Nanooks? Matt Emmons denied Kentucky?s Wheeldon an individual smallbore national title. In the NCAA Championships? air rifle event, Wheeldon?s 393 fell short of the 395 turned in by the eventual national champion, Alaska-Fairbanks? Jamie Beyerle, and one point shy of the 394 turned in by runner-up Per Sandberg, also of Alaska-Fairbanks.

The Cats have caught fire since their setback in last month in Alaska, taking four consecutive meets. Kentucky set a season high on Nov. 9 with a 6220 against Murray State. The All-American Wheeldon has also maintained a sharp pace, scoring an incredible 398 in the air rifle event last weekend against Jacksonville State.

Mullins is respectful of the period of dominance turned in by the Nanooks.

?Alaska-Fairbanks has earned the right to be No. 1 over the last few seasons. They continue to post high numbers,? Mullins said.

Nonetheless, the Cats appear unwilling to back down from the challenge before them.

?We shot well four weeks ago in Alaska, and we feel like we have a lot left in us,? Mullins said. ?Our team has worked hard in the time since the first meet, so, hopefully, our results will be indicative of the time and effort everyone has contributed.?