Derek Smith a Semifinalist for the John Mackey Award: Sophomore Derek Smith has been named one of eightsemifinalists for the inaugural John Mackey Award for the nation’s best tight end.
Smith has 41 receptions for 610 yards, four touchdowns, and two two-point conversions. He leads the SEC’s tight ends inreceptions and receiving yardage. Among all receivers, he is fifth in the league in receptions and sixth in receiving yardage per game.
Smith’s three best games have come against nationally-ranked teams. He caught a career-high eight passes for 76 yards andtwo touchdowns against Florida in “The Swamp.” He had five catches for a career-high 108 yards against Georgia and caught sixfor 102 yards against Mississippi State. Smith’s 89-yard catch against Georgia is UK’s longest pass play in Commonwealth Stadiumhistory.
Among the eight semifinalists, Smith is one of only two sophomores. The Mackey Award was created this year by the NassauCounty (N. Y.) Sports Commission. The winner will be announced in December.
Child ID Kits to be Distributed at Game: Free child identification kits will be given away at the Commonwealth Stadium gates atthe conclusion of Saturday’s game.
The child ID kits are sponsored by the American Football Coaches Association, Clear Channel Communications, and InklessImage. The kits use an clean, easy-to-use inkless fingerprinting system that allows a person to take and store a child’s fingerprints athome.
The AFCA is distributing more than two million ID kits in college stadiums nationwide. This is the largest community serviceproject of its kind in the nation.
Tickets Available: Tickets are available for Saturday’s home finale against Vanderbilt. The tickets cost $22 each and may bepurchased at the UK Ticket Office in Memorial Coliseum from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by calling 1-800-928-CATS or (859)257-1818. Tickets also may be purchased on the UK internet site at ukathletics.com.
Game time on Saturday is 1:30 p.m. EST in Commonwealth Stadium.
Hall to Perform Sunday With Lexington Singers: Freshman offensive tackle Antonio Hall will perform at the LexingtonSingers fall concert Sunday, Nov. 12, at 3 p.m. at Porter Memorial Baptist Church.
The Lexington Singers is a community choral group comprised of approximately 170 members. The group is conducted by Dr.Jeff Johnson, a professor at the University of Kentucky.
Tickets cost $15 each and may be purchased at the performance at Porter Memorial, which is located at 4300 NicholasvilleRoad.
