Aug. 20, 2002
Search For Starting Kicker Continues: While many fans have been talking about the departure of All-American defensive end Dennis Johnson and which player will step up and fill his shoes, special teams coordinator Mark Nelson has been thinking about another player’s shoes that need filling, kicker Seth Hanson.
“All of our kickers are doing a nice job,” Nelson said. “Today was the first day we’ve charted our kicks and they did well. All the kickers need to improve on the things such as being accurate and more consistent. But they are working and improving.”
Filling Hanson’s shoes won’t be an easy task. Hanson was a four-year letterwinner for the Wildcats who completed his career with six school records and an impressive 72.9 percentage on field goals. As a junior, he not only kicked field goals and extra points but handled punting duties as well.
Three placekickers are in camp sophomores Clint Ruth and Sevin Sucurovich and redshirt freshman Taylor Begley. Ruth is the only one with varsity experience. He handled kickoffs as a true freshman in the 2000 season and redshirted last year. Sucurovich kicked for the UK junior varsity during the 2000 season.
“It would be nice to have one guy emerge and be our guy,” Nelson said. “In addition to the three we have here, Justin Hutton will be in the mix when school begins (Aug. 28) and we’ll give him a shot at it as well.”
Nelson will have a total of four kickers auditioning for the placekicking role and he won’t rush into naming a starter.
“It will probably be the week of the game until we know,” he said. “The best man will be kicking, whoever that might be.”
Team Workout, Giveaways Highlight Fans’ Day on Sat. Aug. 24: A team workout and numerous giveaways including a Grand Prize trip for two to an away football game highlight the annual UK Football Fans’ Day on Sat. Aug. 24 at Commonwealth Stadium. This is the first time that a team workout has been combined with Fans’ Day.
Here is the schedule of events:
Tailgating available during the day in the stadium parking lots
“Inflatable Football Land,” a play area for children, opens at 4 p.m. next to the UK Ticket Booth
Stadium Gate 4 and Stadium Gate 9 open at 5:30 p.m.
The first 2,000 fans entering the stadium will receive a ticket for a free hot dog and drink
Each person entering the stadium will receive a numbered ticket for the prize drawings
Posters, schedule cards, and team photos will be distributed on the stadium concourses
Football media guides and souvenirs will be on sale
UK volleyball, women’s soccer, and men’s soccer posters and schedule cards also will be given away
On the field, the football team begins workout warm-ups at 5:50 p.m.
At 6:10 p.m., the UK Band, Cheerleaders, and Pom Squad take the field for the pregame show
At 6:30 p.m., the team will re-enter the field and have a 30-minute workout
After the workout, the players will be available for autographs on the field for approximately one hour and 15 minutes
During the player autograph session, prize drawings will be held. The grand prize is a trip for two to a UK away football game, including air travel, hotel, and game tickets. The list of additional highly attractive prizes includes two football season tickets with parking; a golf package for a foursome at the University Club; a 27-inch television; four autographed footballs; eight game helmets; four game jerseys; and a golf bag.
Reminder, No Practice on Wednesday Morning: There will be no practice on Wednesday morning. The Wildcats return to the practice field Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Dear Diary: Senior linebacker Ronnie Riley and freshman offensive lineman Hayden Lane are publishing training-camp diaries on the football page of the ukathletics.com Web site. The players were chosen in order to give the fans the perspective of a fifth-year senior and a first-year player.
Jefferson-Pilot Preview to be Televised: The annual Jefferson-Pilot Sports 30-minute television show previewing the Southeastern Conference will be shown in the following markets in the Kentucky area:
Bowling Green, Ky. WNKY Sun. Aug. 25, 10:30 p.m CTCincinnati, Ohio WBQC Sat. Aug. 31, 11:30 a.m. ETLouisville, Ky. WAVE Sun. Aug. 25, 12:30 p.m. ETPaducah, Ky. KFVS Sun. Aug. 25, noon CT
Kentucky Football Calendar:
Aug. 20-23 Practice, 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. (except no morning practice on Aug. 21)Aug. 23 Kickoff LuncheonAug. 24 Practice, 9 a.m. Fans' Day at Commonwealth Stadium; gates open at 5:30 p.m.Aug. 25 No practiceAug. 26 Luncheon/news conference at Wildcat Den, 11:30 a.m.Aug. 26-29 Practice, 2 p.m.Aug. 28 Fall classes beginSept. 1 Kentucky at Louisville, 6 p.m., televised by espn2
-UK-
