Coaches Recruiting: The recruiting calendar has entered the contact period and the Kentucky coaching staff is busy with recruiting activity.
Players Working Out: The Wildcats are working out in the weight room under the guidance of strength coach Marc Hill, assistant coach Scott Brincks, and graduate assistant Keith Comeforo. The players will work out until the fall examination period, which is Dec. 11-15.
Hall Chosen Freshman All-America: Offensive tackle Antonio Hall is a first-team selection to the True Freshman All-America Team as selected by the Rivals.com Internet site.
Hall started every game at right tackle, protecting the “blind side” of lefthanded quarterback Jared Lorenzen, and was a key factor in UK’s improved offensive line play. The Wildcats gave up only 22 quarterback sacks fewest in the Hal Mumme era compared to 52 sacks a year ago. UK’s sack prevention ratio of 96.2 percent is fourth in the Southeastern Conference.
Smith, Lorenzen Named All-SEC: Sophomore tight end Derek Smith and freshman quarterback Jared Lorenzen were named first-team All-Southeastern Conference by the collegefootballnews.com Internet site.
Smith led the Wildcats in pass receiving this season with 50 receptions for 716 yards and five touchdowns. He also caught a pair of two-point conversions. Three of his best games came against nationally ranked teams eight catches for 76 yards and two touchdowns in “The Swamp” at Florida; five for 108 yards against Georgia; and six for 102 yards vs. Mississippi State. He was a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award, which goes to the nation’s best tight end.
Lorenzen completed 321 of 559 passes for 3,687 yards and 19 touchdowns. He broke five NCAA records for passing and total offense by a freshman completions, attempts, passing yardage, total offensive yardage (3,827) and total offensive plays (635). He ranks second nationally in total offense and passing yardage. He showed excellent agility in running the football, netting 140 yards and scoring five touchdowns.
Michaels to Represent UK at SEC Legends Dinner: Former Wildcat All-American Lou Michaels will represent UK at the annual Southeastern Conference “Living Legends” Dinner on Fri. Dec. 1.
The “Living Legends” dinner is held in conjunction with the SEC Football Championship Game and honors a former player from each of the 12 league schools.
Michaels played tackle, kicker, and punter at UK from 1955-57. He was a first-team All-American as a junior and senior. He was chosen the SEC Player of the Year in 1957 and finished fourth in the balloting for the Heisman Trophy. He played in the National Football League from 1958-71 with the Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Colts, and Green Bay Packers. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
Previous UK representatives at the “Living Legend” dinners have included George Blanda, Vito “Babe” Parilli, Derrick Ramsey, Wallace “Wah Wah” Jones, Jerry Claiborne, Bob Gain, and Steve Meilinger.
SCAPA Display Includes Commonwealth Stadium: Eighth-grade students from Lexington’s School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA) have an art display of gingerbread houses at Lexington Green from Nov. 27 through Dec. 5. Among the gingerbread structures is a replica of Commonwealth Stadium. On Dec. 5, the stadium replica and other structures will be auctioned for the Volunteers for America, an organization that benefits homeless families.
