(Dec. 7, 2000) — Four Kentucky Wildcats – wide receiver Derek Abney, offensive tackle Antonio Hall, defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, and running back Chad Scott – have been chosen for the SEC All-Freshman Team selected by the league coaches.
Kentucky, Auburn, and Florida tied for having the most representatives on the coaches’ team. All four players also wereselected for the Knoxville News-Sentinel All-Freshman Team announced last week, along with quarterback Jared Lorenzen, whowas the News-Sentinel’s SEC Co-Freshman of the Year.
Abney caught 40 passes for 413 yards and three touchdowns. He played very consistently, with at least two catches in each ofthe last 10 games. His best game came in the win over South Florida, when he caught five passes for 62 yards and twotouchdowns. His longest play of the season was a 50-yard touchdown at Mississippi.
Hall started every game at right tackle, protecting the “blind side” of lefthanded quarterback Jared Lorenzen, and was a key factor inUK’s improved offensive line play. Kentucky led the SEC in total offense with 445 yards per game. The Wildcats gave up only 22quarterback sacks fewest in the Hal Mumme era compared to 52 sacks a year ago. Kentucky’s rushing offense was up 35 yardsper game from the 1999 season.
Robertson started every game at defensive tackle, showing remarkable quickness for a player his size and a knack forpenetrating the offensive line. He made 40 tackles on the season, including 13.5 tackles for loss. He tied for the team lead in fumblescaused with three. He was the hero of the Indiana game, causing two fumbles, both of which resulted in Wildcat TDs. He alsointercepted a pass against Mississippi State.
Scott scooted for 872 rushing and receiving yards this season, more than any freshman in the Southeastern Conference. He ledthe team in rushing with 611 yards, averaging 4.7 per attempt, and scored four touchdowns. He also caught 34 passes for 261yards. He had a pair of 100-yard rushing games, including a season-high 119 yards against Mississippi State. He totaled 170 yardsagainst South Carolina, 85 rushing and 85 receiving.
UK freshmen also have been garnering national honors. Hall was chosen first-team True Freshman All-America byRivals.com. Hall and Scott were picked third-team Freshman All-America by The Sporting News.
Kentucky Football 2000 Post-Season Honors
(all honors are first team unless otherwise noted)
All-America
TE Derek Smith (honorable mention) — Football News
All-SEC
TE Derek Smith — The Associated Press, SEC Coaches, The Sporting News,Football News, Collegiate Sports Southeast TV network,CollegeFootballNews.com
QB Jared Lorenzen — CollegeFootballNews.com
OG/OT Omar Smith — The Associated Press, SEC Coaches (second team)
Freshman All-America
OT Antonio Hall — True Freshman All-Am erica by Rivals.com; The SportingNews (third team)
FB Chad Scott — The Sporting News (third team)
Freshman All-SEC
QB Jared Lorenzen — Co-Freshman of the Year by Knoxville News-Sentinel
WR Derek Abney — SEC Coaches, Knoxville News-Sentinel
FB Chad Scott — SEC Coaches, Knoxville News-Sentinel
DT Dewayne Robertson — SEC Coaches, Knoxville News-Sentinel
OT Antonio Hall — SEC Coaches, Knoxville News-Sentinel
National Award Semifinalists
K Seth Hanson — semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award for the nation’s best kicker
TE Derek Smith — semifinalist for the John Mackey Award for the nation’s best tight end
