May 3, 2002
UK Spring Capped by Blue/White Game
The White team defeated the Blue team 16-0 in the annual Blue/White Game.
When the coaches held a draft during the week of the game, they tried to match the teams evenly. However, there were no equalizers for running back Artose Pinner and defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, who combined to spark the White squad to victory.
Pinner totaled 160 rushing and pass receiving yards while Robertson roamed the Blue backfield, stopping three separate drives with a quarterback sack and two tackles for loss.
The White team opened the scoring with 22 seconds remaining in the first half when Clint Ruth nailed a 37-yard field goal. Quarterback Jared Lorenzen had driven the Whites from their own 7-yard line, all the way to the Blue 4-yard line, before being stalled by incompletions and a penalty. Key plays in the drive included a 19-yard pass to wide receiver Aaron Boone, a 16-yard pass to Pinner, and a 23-yard aerial to wide receiver Daniel Hopewell that put the team in scoring position.
The field goal by Ruth was a positive sign for the Wildcat field goal kickers, who were inconsistent for much of the spring practice season.
The first touchdown was tallied in the middle of the third quarter. Reserve quarterback Dan Lumley lofted a short swing pass on the right side to Pinner. The burly running back showed his speed by cutting back to the middle, finding a seam, and outracing the defense 66 yards for the score. Justin Hutton added the extra point.
The White team finished the scoring in the final minute of the game when Lorenzen, calling his own plays on the final drive, capped an 81-yard march with a 12-yard TD pass to wide receiver Gerad Parker. Pinner also played a role in that drive by turning a short pass into a 32-yard gain.
For the game, Lorenzen completed 11 of 22 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown, but was picked off twice, both times by Blue free safety Quentus Cumby.
Pinner caught three passes for 114 yards and rushed 11 times for a game-high 46 yards. Boone contributed four receptions for 72 yards.
Meanwhile, the White defense allowed only 65 yards for the Blue team. Blue quarterback Shane Boyd led two drives into scoring territory, but the White defense stiffened at the appropriate times.
Boyd paced the White team by completing six of 10 passes for 57 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Wide receiver Tommy Cook, who played well throughout the spring, continued his strong showing by catching three passes for 36 yards.
Running back Alexis Bwenge also looked good for the Blue team. Bwenge rushed nine times for 30 yards and also caught two passes for 17 yards.
The Blue defense was paced by Cumby, who added a pass breakup to his two interceptions, and linebacker Justin Haydock, who recorded a game-high six tackles.
For the sixth consecutive year, the Blue/White Game began with a quarter of touch football by the UK alumni. Neither alumni team was able to put points on the board this year, so the score remained 0-0 when the varsity began play in the second quarter. The final three quarters were abbreviated, as the 15-minute periods featured a continuous running clock except for timeouts and change of possessions.
Letterman/Starter Update
Lettermen – 41 returning (19 offense, 19 defense, 3 specialists); 25 lost (11 offense, 12 defense, 2 specialist).
Starters – 10 returning (6 offense, 4 defense), 12 lost (5 offense, 6 defense).
Checking the Position Changes
There were three position changes during the spring and all three appeared to go well.
Sophomore Daniel Burnett moved from the defensive line to the offensive line. He was tried at right tackle, then switched to center. The coaching staff believes that Burnett has found a home at the pivot spot. He finished the spring as the backup center.
Redshirt freshman Trey Mielsch changed from linebacker to defensive end. He turned in an impressive spring. He is No. 2 at one end post and is expected to be in the playing rotation this fall.
Sophomore Mike Williams moved from cornerback to outside safety and finished the spring as a starter.
Position-by-Position Update – Offense
Kentucky still will be a pass-oriented team, but Coach Guy Morriss continues to place more emphasis on the running game in order to achieve better balance.
Offensive Line – UK will begin fall drills with a lineup of LT Matt Huff, LG Jason Rollins, C Nick Seitze, RG Keith Chatelain, and RT Antonio Hall … All five have started during their careers and they have a total of 53 starting assignments during their careers … Chatelain is the only senior of the group … Huff, Rollins, and Hall missed part or all of the spring because of injury, giving plenty of opportunity for the backup linemen to get quality work … OG Sylvester Miller and C Daniel Burnett appear to be the most ready for playing time … Junior college All-American Yancey Reynolds and incoming freshmen could push for playing time in August.
Quarterbacks – Junior Jared Lorenzen had an excellent spring and will begin the season as the starter … Sophomore Shane Boyd is firmly entrenched as the backup, giving the Wildcats an excellent 1-2 punch at the position … Lorenzen and Boyd shared the position a year ago. Lorenzen threw for 2,179 yards and 19 touchdowns last season while Boyd passed for 852 yards and tossed four TDs.
Running Backs – Senior Artose Pinner had a great spring, capped by a combined 160 rushing and receiving yards in the Blue/White Spring Game. Pinner will be the starting tailback and has shown a solid combination of speed, power, and the ability to catch the ball. Coach Guy Morriss has indicated that he would like Pinner to get the ball 20-25 times a game. He led the team in rushing last season with 441 yards and four touchdowns … Redshirt freshman Alexis Bwenge had a good spring as the No. 2 tailback … Freshman signees Arliss Beach and Monquantae Gibson could contend in the fall.
Senior Mike Kamphake and redshirt freshman Ronald “Rock” Johnson will handle the fullback position when the Wildcats use a two-back set.
Tight Ends – Senior Chase Harp is the starter and has an excellent combination of pass-receiving and blocking skills. He caught 22 passes and two TDs last season while sharing the position. He could be one of the league’s top tight ends in 2002 … Redshirt freshman Jeremiah Drobney and junior Win Gaffron are the backups.
Wide Receivers – As a group, Coach Guy Morriss said that this was one of the most improved positions in the spring … Junior Derek Abney (66 receptions for 741 yards, six TDs last season), sophomore Tommy Cook (20-298, 3 TD), senior Aaron Boone (18-268, six TD), and senior Ernest Simms (16-218, 1 TD) have good game experience.
Junior college All-American Chris Bernard looked good the first week of spring practice before being shelved by a high-ankle sprain. He should be at full speed by August … Sophomore Gerad Parker caught a touchdown pass in the Blue/White Game and could be in the playing rotation … Coaches also like the potential of incoming freshman Glenn Holt.
Position-by-Position Update – Defense
The Wildcats will be in the second season of playing the eight-man front for defensive coordinator John Goodner.
Defensive Line – The tackle positions could be the strength of the defense … Juniors Dewayne Robertson and Jeremy Caudill and sophomore Ellery Moore, each limited by injury last season, appeared to be 100 percent in the spring. Robertson was “unblockable,” according to Coach Guy Morriss, in some of the spring scrimmages … Senior John Robinson gives the Wildcats another veteran hand at tackle.
Senior Otis Grigsby will man one end position and the other probably will be sophomore Vincent “Sweet Pea” Burns. The coaches liked what they saw out of Burns, although he practiced just one week because of an appendectomy … One of the most pleasant developments of the spring was the potential shown by three redshirt freshman ends, Trey Mielsch, Deion Holts, and Raymond Fontaine.
Inside Linebackers – Senior Ronnie Riley missed the spring while rehabilitating from knee surgery, but is expected to be ready in August. He is a likely starter at middle linebacker … Redshirt freshman Dustin Williams got most of the spring reps in Riley’s absence and made a strong showing … Junior college transfer Kamaal Ahmad also is a contender for playing time.
Senior Morris Lane quietly had a good spring at the weakside linebacker post … Lane will be backed by sophomore Justin Haydock, who played very well in the spring and was the leading tackler in the Blue/White Game with six stops.
Outside Safeties – These two positions require versatile performers who can play the run like linebackers, yet cover wide receivers like safeties … Senior David Johnson, who has four interceptions in his career, will handle the strongside position … He is backed by senior Tayo Agboke.
The move of sophomore Mike Williams from cornerback to outside safety appeared to be a good one. Williams is an outstanding athlete and delivered some hard licks during the spring … Sophomore Claude Sagaille is his backup.
Cornerbacks – The returning starters, senior Derrick Tatum and junior Leonard Burress, retained their positions … Sophomore Earven Flowers was starting to blossom in the spring before being sidelined by an ankle sprain … Redshirt freshman Antoine Huffman could be in the playing rotation … The unknown factor is sophomore Warren Wilson, who was sidelined in the spring because of a shoulder injury. When healthy, Wilson has the ability to compete for a starting position.
Free Safeties – Senior Quentus Cumby is the starter at free safety. Cumby played the best ball of his career in the spring and had two interceptions in the Blue/White Game … Redshirt freshman Muhammad Abdullah pushed Cumby in the spring and is ready for game action.
Senior Jed Bassett and sophomore transfers Travis Atwell and Tim Funderburk will play the nickel back position when the Wildcats insert an extra defensive back.
Position-by-Position Update/Spec. Teams
Kickers – The placekicking position remains up for grabs going into August … The contenders in spring were junior Justin Hutton, sophomores Clint Ruth and Sevin Sucurovic, and redshirt freshman Taylor Begley. Ruth connected on a 37-yard field goal in the Blue/White Game.
Punters – Senior Glenn Pakulak led the SEC last season with a 44.5-yard average … Five other punters provide depth.
Snappers – Senior Coleman Barnes returns as the team’s long snapper for placekicks and punts.
Kick Returners – Junior Derek Abney handled kickoff and punt returns last season … Senior Ernest Simms also has experience on kickoff returns.
Quoting Guy Morriss on Spring Practice
Overall Thoughts on the Spring – “I feel we accomplished everything we wanted to do. We have a better understanding of our total package on offense and defense. We got a lot of reps (practice repetitions) for our redshirts and young players. I was pleased with the attitude and the kids practiced hard. They’re getting an understanding of how they have to play the game.
“As we move into summer we have to get stronger and rehabilitate our injuries. We should be healthy in August.”
On the Offense – “We added some wrinkles in our running game. We’d like to run it a little more and a lot better. The better we run it, the better we throw it. Artose Pinner was impressive, and we’d like to get the ball to him 20-25 times a game.
“Our passing game was really sharp. Jared Lorenzen threw the ball better than ever. He has a lot better understanding of schemes, blitz protection, and secondary play. Shane Boyd got better as the spring went on. He is a very capable backup for us.
“I think we’ve found six or seven receivers we can hang our hats on. That group developed as much or more than any other group (during the spring.)”
On the Defense – “We understand our scheme a lot better. Coach Goodner (defensive coordinator John Goodner) has brought continuity and stability and I think our players reflect that. I think our players are starting to understand more than just what goes on in their three-by-three-foot square.
“We developed some young players on defense such as Trey Mielsch, Deion Holts, Raymond Fontiane, and Vincent Burns at end; Dustin Williams and Kamaal Ahmad at linebacker; Mike Williams at outside safety; Earven Flowers was doing well at cornerback until his injury; and Muhammad Abdullah at free safety.”
On Goals for August – “We have to check out our signees and we hope to redshirt as many as possible. We also have to look at the kids who missed the spring and see if they are ready to play.”
Injury Report
Fourteen players did not participate in the spring game because of illness or injury. None appeared to be long-term problems, however, and all 14 are expected to be available by August.
Carr Named Assistant Head Coach
During the spring, Guy Morriss named Gerald Carr the assistant head coach for the Wildcats.
Carr had joined the staff in February as running backs coach. He came to UK from Indiana, where he had been quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator with the Hoosiers. He helped quarterback Antwaan Randle El earn first-team All-America and Big Ten Most Valuable Player honors.
2002 Schedule
Sept. 1 at Louisville (ESPN or ESPN2) TBASept. 7 Texas-El Paso 1:30Sept. 14 Indiana 7:00Sept. 21 Middle Tennessee 1:30Sept. 28 at Florida TBAOct. 5 openOct. 12 South Carolina 7:00Oct. 19 at Arkansas TBAOct. 26 Georgia (Homecoming) 7:00Nov. 2 at Mississippi State TBANov. 9 Louisiana State 1:30Nov. 16 Vanderbilt 1:30Nov. 23 openNov. 30 at Tennessee TBA
(Note: all times Eastern and subject to change)
