Oct. 15, 2001
by Ray Burns- Host Communications
Few plays in football are as exciting as a punt return for a touchdown. They are the great momentum shifters of the game. It is a familiar scenario. The defense makes a stand at midfield and forces the opposing team to punt. It looks like your team will be backed up deep in its own territory – a long drive the only way to get back in the game. But in one play the punt returner changes everything. A zig here, a zag there, a dodged tackle or two and he’s gone. Before they know it, opponents are reading his jersey number from behind.
That jersey number for UK is No. 12, belonging to sophomore speedster Derek Abney. Besides being one of the Wildcats’ top receivers, Abney is also the man they count on to return punts.
Abney returned one for a touchdown against Louisville and another versus Ball State, only to have that one called back. It’s obvious watching the former high school track star that speed and quickness are essential ingredients in a successful punt returner, but what else goes into the equation?
“The first couple of games I said to myself, ‘You’ve been in this situation.’ When you don’t get it and go and just be confident, that’s when things have gone wrong,” Abney recalled. “So, the biggest thing is you have to be confident.”
Being confident is not the easiest thing to do when you have to stand, looking up in the air, unable to take your eye off the ball, knowing that 10 guys are running full speed toward you with a common goal in mind: smashing you to the turf before you can even take a step. Abney knows that a lack of confidence can lead to mistakes and maybe even a fumble.
“It’s difficult knowing that you can’t take your eye off the ball and there are people coming at you,” Abney said. “The main thing I’m thinking about is catching the ball. You can’t drop it. You can not fumble that ball.”
It’s what Abney has done once he does secure the ball that has been so electrifying. He has a simple philosophy on that. If you are going to go, go hard.
“From my past experiences, I’ve said to myself, ‘Just hit it full speed and you’ll be fine.’ If you go timid, that’s when you take big hits,” Abney said. “I think you have to have the feeling that if you go full speed, you hitting the defender is going to hurt a lot less than going about half speed and letting them hit you. When you let up is when bad things can happen.”
Besides being an important part of the Kentucky football team, Abney also excels in the classroom. He is enrolled in a program at UK that will allow him to graduate with his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years. Abney admits that juggling athletics and academics can be tough but he feels up to the challenge.
“It’s difficult. You have to learn how to budget your time and prioritize what you need to be doing and what you have to be doing,” Abney concedes. “The transition from high school to college is tough. I’m getting used to having to stay after or do a little more homework than somebody else. It’s not that bad though. It’s something that you get used to.”
Making the transition from high school to a full college schedule is not the only adjustment that Abney and his teammates have had to make. They also have almost an entirely new coaching staff this season. But Abney thinks the transition has been a smooth one.
“I think it’s gone very well. I think with Coach Morriss stepping in early in the spring and saying, ‘Hey, we’re going to get this thing on the right track,’ that gave the players confidence. We’re working hard and coming in early and things like that,” Abney said. “He just got us in there quickly and got us started practicing. It was a smooth transition.”
Whether it’s on the football field or in the classroom, Abney seems to be able to make the necessary adjustments to succeed. So, when the opposing punter drops back to punt today, keep an eye on No. 12. He just might make one of those game-changing plays that sparks the Wildcats to a victory.
