Aug. 7, 2002

Newcomers Have First Practices: Coach Guy Morriss liked what he saw Wednesday as the Kentucky football newcomers had a pair of one-hour practices at the Nutter Training Facility.

Clad in helmets, shoulder pads, and shorts, the newcomers zipped through the workouts in unseasonably mild temperatures.

“Overall this might be the best-looking group we’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Morriss, who is entering his sixth season at Kentucky and his second year as the Wildcats’ head coach. “We’re just trying to get them to relax and learn where to line up. They don’t know ‘sic em’ from ‘come back’ right now.”

Many practice observers focused on the seven new offensive linemen. The new O-Line prospects include signees Michael Aitcheson (6-3, 270), Joe Brady (6-3, 280), Hayden Lane (6-6, 270), Jared McGowan (6-4, 295), Yancey Reynolds (6-5, 325), and Travis Slaydon (6-3, 280), along with walk-on Trai Williams (6-4, 285). With a relatively slim number of veterans available, Morriss has indicated that some of the newcomers might have to provide help this season, although that is not his preferred plan.

“This is the best-looking bunch of incoming linemen we’ve had but it’s hard to line up with a bunch of true freshmen and win,” Morriss said. “We’d like to redshirt as many as possible.”The newcomers will return to the practice field on Thursday at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The returning players report on Friday.

First Team Practice Moved to Monday: Based on a new interpretation received today from the Southeastern Conference, Kentucky’s first team practice will move from Sunday, Aug. 11, to Monday, Aug. 12. Sunday will be a day off and the Wildcats will have their first practice Monday at 9 a.m.

Kentucky Football Calendar:

Aug. 8          Newcomers practice, 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.Aug. 9          Returning players reportAug. 10         UK Media Day (not open to public), 10 a.m. to noonAug. 11         No practiceAug. 12-17      Practice, 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.Aug. 18         No practiceAug. 19-23      Practice, 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.Aug. 23         Kickoff LuncheonAug. 24         Practice, 9 a.m.                Fans' Day at Commonwealth Stadium, 7 p.m.Aug. 25         No practiceAug. 26-29      Practice, 2 p.m.Aug. 28         Fall classes beginSept. 1         Kentucky at Louisville, 6 p.m., televised by espn2