2000 Kentucky Wildcats Football
S. Carolina (4-1, 2-1) at Kentucky (2-3, 0-2)
Oct. 7, 2000, 7:30 p.m. EDT
Commonwealth Stadium (cap. 67,589)
Wildcats Headlines
UK returns to Commonwealth Stadium for SEC home opener
Wildcats playing host to South Carolina, which has its best start since 1994; Gamecocksare ninth in the nation in total defense, 13th in scoring defense
UK seventh in the nation in passing offense
UK defense is eighth in the nation in fumbles recovered, second in the SEC in quarterbacksacks
On the Tube
Live The game will be nationally telecast on ESPN2, UK’s second appearance thisseason on The Deuce.
Dave Barnett calls the play-by-play. Bill Curry, UK head coach from 1990-96, returns toCommonwealth Stadium as the expert analyst. (Curry also called UK’s 1999 game atIndiana.) Michele Tafoya provides reports from the sidelines.
Delay None.
No Network Television for the Kentucky at LSU Game
The Kentucky at Louisiana State football game on Oct. 14 was not selected for networktelevision. Therefore, game time remains at 8 p.m. EDT (7 p.m. CDT in Baton Rouge).
On the Radio
The University of Kentucky Football Radio Network will carry the broadcast onapproximately 80 stations. The network includes new flagship stations WLAP (630 AM) andWBUL (98.1 FM) in Lexington and 50,000-watt stations WHAS (840 AM) and WSAI (1530AM).
Tom Leach calls the play-by-play for the Wildcats. Former Wildcat star Jeff Van Note isthe analyst and Dick Gabriel is the sideline reporter.
The broadcast also can be heard around the world through the internet at ukathletics.com.
Tickets
Only single tickets (no pairs) are available. The cost is $22 each.
Tickets may be purchased at the Memorial Coliseum Ticket Office. Tickets may bepurchased over the phone by calling (859) 257-3838 or 1-800-928-CATS. Tickets also maybe ordered on the internet at ukathletics.com.
Kentucky Results and Schedule (2-3, 0-2 SEC)Sept. 2 Louisville 40, UK 34 (A, OT) Sept. 9 UK 27, South Florida 9 (H)Sept. 16 UK 41, Indiana 34 (H)Sept. 23 Florida 59, UK 31 (A)Sept. 30 Mississippi 35, UK 17 (A)Oct. 7 South Carolina, 7:30 p.m.Oct. 14 at Louisiana State, 8:00 p.m.Oct. 21 Georgia, 7:00 p.m.Oct. 28 openNov. 4 Mississippi State (Homecoming), 1:30 p.m.Nov. 11 Vanderbilt, 1:30 p.m.Nov. 18 at Tennessee, time TBA(all times Eastern and subject to change)
South Carolina Results and Schedule (4-1, 2-1)Sept. 2 USC 31, New Mexico State 0 (H)Sept. 9 USC 21, Georgia 10 (H)Sept. 16 USC 41, Eastern Michigan 6 (H)Sept. 23 USC 23, Mississippi State 19 (H)Sept. 30 Alabama 27, USC 17 (A)Oct. 7 at KentuckyOct. 14 ArkansasOct. 21 at VanderbiltOct. 28 TennesseeNov. 11 at FloridaNov. 18 at Clemson
The Series
Overall: UK leads 6-4-1
Current Streak: UK has won two in a row
First Meeting: 1937, UK 27-7 in Lexington
Last Meeting: 1999, UK 30-10 in Columbia
Last USC Win: 1997, 38-24 in Columbia
In Lexington: series tied 3-3
Series Notes: The teams played only three times, 1937, 1978, and 1981, before South Carolinabegan SEC play in 1992 UK leads the series 5-3 since USC joined the league in 1992.
How Experienced are the Tentative Starters? Sr. Jr. Soph. RFr. Fr.UK 8 3 6 1 4USC 5 10 6 0 1
Last Year vs. South Carolina
The Kentucky defense led the Wildcats to a 30-10 win at South Carolina, UK’s biggestSEC road win since 1979.
The Wildcats limited the Gamecocks to three points and 79 total yards in the first threequarters while building a 27-3 lead.
The Kentucky defense also claimed four turnovers, with interceptions by LB Jeff Snedegarand CB Eric Kelly, along with fumble recoveries by FS Anthony Wajda and DT GordonCrowe.
Wajda, in fact, made the biggest play of the game. With Kentucky leading 6-3 in thesecond quarter, he picked up a Gamecock fumble and raced five yards for a touchdown andUK was never seriously threatened again.
QB Dusty Bonner paced the offense by completing 23 of 35 passes for 263 yards and onetouchdown.
TE James Whalen led the receivers with nine catches for 119 yards, his third 100-yardgame of the season. WR Brad Pyatt had four catches for 59 yards and a TD. Kicker MarcSamuel tied his career high with three field goals.
Notes on the TV Appearance
Kentucky has an all-time record of 21-60-1 on live national or regional television, includinga 6-14 mark on ESPN or ESPN2 Kentucky is 3-1 against South Carolina on live networkTV Kentucky has been a popular TV team under Coach Hal Mumme, with this marking the26th live national or regional appearance in Mumme’s 41st game at UK.
Charting the Tendencies
Kentucky has a 20-20 overall record in four seasons under Coach Hal Mumme. Here aresome tendencies that have emerged that generate success for the Wildcats. Kentucky’s recordwhen:
UK scores 40+ points: 9-0
UK scores 30+ points: 17-5
Opp. scores less than 30 points: 14-6
UK loses 0 or 1 turnover: 10-1
UK is plus or even in turnover margin: 14-3
UK creates four or more turnovers: 6-2
UK rushes for more yards than opponent: 11-2
UK holds opp. to 100 or fewer rushing yards: 10-1
Night Games
Kentucky has an all-time record of 99-99-4 in night games, including 1-2 this season.
UK Remembers Claiborne
The University of Kentucky football program is honoring the memory of Jerry Claiborne,former student-athlete, assistant coach, and head coach of the Wildcats, who died on Sept. 24.
First, the Commonwealth Stadium flag was flown at half-mast through Sept. 28, the date ofClaiborne’s funeral. And, in last week’s game at Mississippi, the players wore football-shapedblack stickers with the initials “JDC.”
Claiborne played at Kentucky from 1946-49 as a defensive back, end, and blockingback. He still holds UK’s single-season record for interceptions with nine. He was an assistantcoach under Paul “Bear” Bryant.
In 1982, with the program struggling because of NCAA probation and off-the fieldproblems, Claiborne returned to his alma mater. He led the Wildcats to the 1983 and 1984 Hallof Fame Bowls and restored the integrity of the program on every front.
Claiborne retired from coaching following the 1989 season, but stayed involved at UK byhelping raise the funds for construction of the Nutter Field House, which opened in 1993.
Wildcats in the SEC Stats
Team and individual stats in the top three in the SEC:
Team
Passing Offense: 2nd, 319.6 yards per game
Total Offense: 2nd, 419.4 yards per game
PAT Kicking: T1st, 100 percent
Quarterback Sacks: 2nd, 18 sacks
First Downs: 2nd, 106 first downs
Fourth-Down Conversions: 1st, 83.3 percent
Individual
Passing Yardage: Jared Lorenzen 1st, 319.6 yards per game
Total Offense: Jared Lorenzen 1st, 329.4 yards per game
PAT Percentage: Seth Hanson, T1st, 100 percent
FG Percentage: Seth Hanson T1st, 100 percent
Wildcats in the NCAA Stats
Team and individual stats in the NCAA top 25:
Team
Passing Offense: 7th, 319.6 yards per game
Fumble Recoveries: T9th, 8 recoveries
Individual
Pass Attempts: Jared Lorenzen 1st, 240 attempts
Comp. Per Game: Jared Lorenzen 2nd, 27.4 comp. per gm.
Passing Yardage: Jared Lorenzen 2nd, 1,598 yards
Touchdown Passes: Jared Lorenzen 5th, 11 TD passes
Total Offense: Jared Lorenzen 2nd, 329.4 yards per game
Points Responsible For: Jared Lorenzen 8th, 17.2 points responsible per game
Homer Looking to Move Up Charts
Senior halfback Derek Homer ranks 11th in school history with 1,610 rushing yards. Heneeds 55 yards to eclipse Bill Leskovar (1,664) and reach the top 10.
Homer also has 111 career pass receptions and is fourth on the UK receiving list.
Here is the UK career receiving chart: Player, Years Receptions1. Craig Yeast, 1995-98 2082. Anthony White, 1996-99 1943. James Whalen, 1997-99 1204. Derek Homer, 1997-2000 1115. Kevin Coleman, 1995-98 107
Running Game More Effective
Kentucky’s running game is showing improved effectiveness so far this season.
The Wildcats are averaging 99.8 yards per game in the 2000 campaign, up from 75 yardsper game last season. Even more important is the fact that UK fullbacks Chad Scott and ArtosePinner the primary ballcarriers are each averaging 4.9 yards per carry.
Offensive Line Growing
UK’s offensive line, with only one senior starter, has been an improved unit this year.
As mentioned in the previous note, rushing yardage is up from 75 yards per game to 99.8yards per game so far this season.
Pass protection has gotten better as well. UK has allowed just nine quarterback sacks in251 passing plays this season a sack prevention ratio of 96.4 percent. Kentucky allowed 52sacks last season.
Starting ‘Em Young Coach Hal Mumme isn’t afraid to play true freshmen immediately. In fact, Mumme has started at least one true freshman in theseason opener each season at Kentucky.
In 1997, running back Derek Homer and safety Willie Gary started their first games as Wildcats. In ’98, safety David Johnsongot the starting call in the opener. Last season, guard Kip Sixbery started the opener.
This year, freshman defensive tackles Jeremy Caudill and Dewayne Robertson and offensive tackle Antonio Hall started againstLouisville.
Another true freshman could join the lineup this week as running back Chad Scott is expected to see his first start.
Kelly Nearing Pass Breakup Record
Senior cornerback Eric Kelly is nearing the school’s career record for pass breakups. Kelly leads the team with four PBU this season, giving him 23 for his career just two shy of VanHiles’ mark of 25.
Here is the UK career list for pass breakups. Player, Years Pass Breakups1. Van Hiles, 1993-96 252. Eric Kelly, 1997-2000 233. Brad Armstead, 1989-92 21 Gary Willis, 1989-91 21
Kelly and Willis also share UK’s single-season PBU record of 13, which Kelly tied lastseason.
A Note About the Defensive Statistics
There has been a change in how the Southeastern Conference is listing tackles for loss thisseason. The stat column tackles for loss combines tackles for loss on running plays andquarterback sacks. In previous seasons, the tackles for loss column did not include QB sacks.
Checking the Defensive Progress
The Kentucky defense has shown improvement each season since Coach Hal Mumme anddefensive coordinator Mike Major took over in 1997. Here’s a chart of the progress:
1997 1998 1999 Yards Per Game Allowed 392.3 386.1 373.7 Points Per Game Allowed 32.9 30.9 29.4Turnovers Gained 20 16 31
Block That Kick!
During the four seasons that Coach Mike Major has been in charge of the Kentuckydefense, the Wildcats have blocked 11 opponent kicks, including eight field goals, two punts,and one extra point. Here’s the list, with current Wildcats underlined:
- 1997, Indiana punt (Bob Holmberg)- 1997, Alabama field goal (David Ginn)- 1997, Georgia field goal (Jeff Zurcher)- 1997, Georgia extra point (Lamont Smith)- 1997, Louisiana State field goal (David Ginn)- 1998, Arkansas field goal (Dennis Johnson)- 1998, Louisiana State field goal (Jermaine White)- 1999, Arkansas field goal (Dennis Johnson)- 1999, Mississippi State punt (Dennis Johnson)- 1999, Syracuse field goal (Dennis Johnson)- 1999, Syracuse field goal (Jamal White)
Defense Scoring, Too
During the four seasons that Coach Mike Major has been in charge of the Kentuckydefense, the defensive Cats have scored 10 times, including seven touchdowns, two safeties,and a two-point defensive PAT after a blocked extra point kick.
The Kentucky defense has scored twice this season, Marlon McCree’s nine-yard fumblereturn at Louisville and Matt Layow’s 21-yard game-winning fumble return vs. Indiana.
Numbers Here, Numbers There
Here are some various career statistical superlatives among current players, including regular-season games only.Most Games Played: 35 by Aaron Daniel, Derek Homer, Marlon McCreeMost Games Started: 25 by Willie Gary100-Yard Rushing Games: 4 by Derek Homer, 1 by Chad Scott100-Yard Receiving Games: 1 by Quentin McCord, 1 by Jimmy Robinson, 1 by Kendrick ShanklinGames With Double-Figure Tackles: 4 by Willie Gary, 2 by Marlon McCree
Scoring in the Blue Zone (20-and-in) Kentucky: Converted five of six opportunities for 26 points (three touchdowns, twofield goals, one blocked field goal).
Opponents: Converted five of seven opportunities for 30 points (four touchdowns, one field goal, two fumbles lost).
Charting the Nailbiters
Under Coach Hal Mumme, UK has a 6-5 record in “nailbiter” games, i.e., games decided by seven points or less.
In overtime, UK is 1-1 under Mumme, a 40-34 home win over Alabama in 1997 and a 40-34 setback at Louisville to open thisseason.
Head Coach Hal Mumme
Hal Mumme (Tarleton State, 1975) has a 19-18 record in his fourth season as head coach of the Wildcats. Mumme was thefirst UK coach to have a winning record in his first three seasons since Blanton Collier in 1954-56. Along with Paul “Bear” Bryantand Jerry Claiborne both of whom are in the College Football Hall of Fame Mumme is one of three coaches who has takenKentucky to consecutive bowl games. He was voted 1997 GTE Region 2 Coach of the Year by his peers in the American FootballCoaches Association and named the 1999 South/Southwest Coach of the Year by Football News. He is in his 12th season as acollegiate head coach and has a record of 84-45-1 (.650).
Mumme had a 40-17-1 mark from 1992-96 at Valdosta State, where he took the Blazers to the NCAA Division II nationalplayoffs in 1994 and 1996. He was named 1994 Georgia Coach of the Year by the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, the 1996 GTERegion 2 Coach of the Year by the AFCA, and the 1996 Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year when the Blazers won theleague title.
Mumme had a 25-10 record from 1989-91 at Iowa Wesleyan College. He took his team to the Steamboat Classic bowl gamein 1989 and ’90 and to the NAIA national playoffs in 1991. He was named the NAIA District Coach of the Year in 1989 and1991.
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Mumme is receiving plenty of compliments, as two of his former assistantcoaches Mike Leach (Texas Tech) and Chris Hatcher (Valdosta State) have been hired as head coaches with the hope ofduplicating the success of his system.
“Mummeball”
UK coach Hal Mumme is known for his unconventional ways. Here are some examples of his off-the-beaten-path approach:
Throwing the football: Mumme’s offensive goal is to throw the ball to set up the run. His run-pass ratio at UK in 1997 was36 percent run and 64 percent pass. In 1998, the ratio was 37 percent run and 63 percent pass. In 1999 the ratio was 44 percentrun and 56 percent pass.
Taking risks: See the note on the next page for fourth-down analysis.
Limited hitting in practice: The Wildcats had four scrimmages in the spring and none in August. Otherwise, hitting inpractice is usually limited to work on technique; there is very little full-scale hitting or tackling to the ground.
“We’re not going to get anybody hurt if we can help it,” Mumme says. “Why get hurt during the week when you’re going to play on Saturday?”
“Mummeball is more classroom than battlefield,” wrote John Clay of the Lexington Herald-Leader in 1997. “The head coachis not a Schwarzkopf but an alchemist, busy turning ordinary metals into gold.”
The approach paid off with fewer injuries in 1997, when only four players on the two-deep depth chart missed games becauseof injury. Seven players missed at least one game via injury in 1998 and 11 in 1999. By comparison, a total of 18 players missedgames because of injury in 1996 under a conventional practice system.
Punting the ball out of bounds: UK’s punts are designed to go near the sideline or out of bounds. The strategy improvedKentucky’s net punting from 32.7 yards per punt in 1996 to 37 yards per punt in 1997. In 1998, Kentucky improved to 37.4 netyards per punt. The Wildcats set a school record last season with 39.92 net yards per punt.
Playing true freshmen: Mumme believes in playing true freshmen. In his first three seasons at UK, 62 percent of his truefreshmen played in their first season.
Junior varsity team: Mumme continues to field a junior varsity team again this season. See below for a story on the JVsquad.
Fourth-Down Analysis
In four seasons under Hal Mumme, Kentucky has “gone for it” on fourth down 111 times and made it 54 times.
The 54 successes have eventually resulted in 30 touchdowns and five field goals for Kentucky. The 57 missed attempts haveresulted in 18 touchdowns and two field goals on the ensuing opponent possessions.
Kentucky has made 9 of 13 fake punts under Mumme.
The Wildcats have made one of two fourth-down attempts this season.
UK Football History
The Kentucky Wildcats are in their 110th season of intercollegiate football. The first Southeastern Conference school tointroduce football (1881), Kentucky has an all-time record of 518-489-44 (.514).
Kentucky has two SEC championships, 1950 and 1976. The Wildcats have been to nine bowl games, including the last twoseasons. Kentucky’s highest in-season national ranking is third, by The Associated Press, on Nov. 20, 1950. UK’s highest finalranking is sixth in the AP poll in 1977.
Junior Varsity Team Returns
One of Coach Hal Mumme’s innovations in 1997 was the start of a junior varsity team. The team is comprised primarily ofwalk-ons, in addition to a few scholarship players who are not being redshirted.
The 2000 team is coached by graduate assistants Rob Manchester and John Schlarman and student coaches Randy Garver andTramaine Gaines. Manchester is head coach and defensive coordinator and Schlarman is the offensive coordinator.
Here is the 2000 JV schedule: Mon. Sept. 18 at Georgetown 6:00Mon. Sept. 25 Campbellsville 6:00Mon. Oct. 2 Georgetown 6:00Mon. Oct. 9 at Eastern Kentucky 7:00Mon. Oct. 16 St. Francis 6:00Thurs. Oct. 26 Hargrave Military Acad. 6:00Thurs. Nov. 9 at Pikeville College Club 7:00
Catscellaneous
Team captains for 2000 on offense are HB Derek Homer, WR Quentin McCord, WR Jimmy Robinson, and OT Omar Smith. Defensive captains include DB Willie Gary, CB Eric Kelly, LB Marlon McCree, and DT Grayson Smith.
Kentucky is in its 28th season in Commonwealth Stadium. The Wildcats have a record of 94-71-4 (.568) in Commonwealthsince the stadium opened in 1973. Kentucky is 12-7 (.632) at home under Mumme.
UK has led or tied for the league lead in most players on the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 10 of the last 16 years.
Six current players are walk-ons who were awarded full scholarships WR Neal Brown, WR Alex Herman, WR Gary Hughes,QB Mark Perry, DT Grayson Smith and SS Patrick Wiggins. Mumme has awarded 17 scholarships to walk-ons during his time atKentucky.
The Kentucky cheerleaders won an unprecedented 10th national championship at the 2000 Universal Cheerleaders Associationcompetition in January. The Wildcats cheerleaders have won the last five national titles – 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999.
Wildcats on the Web
Visit the official University of Kentucky Athletics web site at www.ukathletics.com. The official Southeastern Conference web site is www.secsports.com.
Position-by-Position with the Wildcats
Offense
Kentucky ranks fifth nationally in passing offense with 347.7 yards per game and 11thnationally in total offense, 454 yards per game UK leads the SEC in both categories UKhas led the SEC in passing offense all three seasons under Coach Hal Mumme.
Offensive Line
Matt Brown Starting left tackle Sustained a sprained ankle against Louisville Missed the South Florida game, breaking a string of 15 consecutive regular-season starts Returned for the Indiana game Did not begin playing football until his sophomore year of highschool Hobby is working on vintage cars.
Keith Chatelain Took over at center when Nolan DeVaughn was lost for the seasonwith a knee injury in the Louisville game Has started the last two games. Aaron Daniel Fifth-year senior who is the utility reserve in the offensive line Can playcenter or either guard position.
Nolan DeVaughn UKs starting center suffered a knee injury in the Louisville game andappears to be lost for the season.
Antonio Hall True freshman has started every game at right tackle One of the nationsmost highly sought lineman prospects a year ago Has excellent musical aptitude, plays thepiano, and is a gifted singer.
Josh Parrish Teams top reserve in the offensive line, backing up both guard positions Started at left guard vs. Louisville and right guard vs. South Florida Played every offensivesnap of the 1999 season at right guard.
Kip Sixbery Has started the last two games at left guard Played every down of the1999 season at left guard, and at the age of 17, was the youngest full-time starter in Division I-Afootball.
Omar Smith UKs only senior starter in the offensive line Moved from tackle to rightguard for the 2000 season and is well-regarded as a pro prospect Played left tackle vs.South Florida while Matt Brown was out with an injury Played every down of the 1999season at right tackle One of four Wildcats who have graduated already, has his degree insocial work.
Tight Ends
Chase Harp Reserve tight end has five catches for 93 yards, including a long of 35yards vs. Indiana Came to UK as a quarterback and moved to tight end in the spring of1999.
Derek Smith Starting tight end is the teams leading receiver with 15 catches for 227yards, 15.1 per catch, and two TDs Ranks third in the SEC in receptions per game, 5.0, andis fourth in receiving yards per game, 75.7.
Wide Receivers
Derek Abney Shares the X receiver position with Quentin McCord Has 11 catchesfor 114 yards and two TDs Best game came vs. South Florida with five catches for 62 yardsand two TDs Wears uniform No. 12 in honor of his childhood best friend, Ezra Hartinger, who died when they were in seventhgrade.
Dougie Allen Starting Z receiver has made a remarkable recovery from the knee injuryand reconstructive surgery that occurred in Oct. 1999 Has seven catches for 131 yards andtwo TDs, averaging 18.7 per catch.
Bobby Blizzard Starting H receiver has played well the last two games Has caughtseven passes for 97 yards Has worked hard to lose approximately 20 pounds and improvehis conditioning since arriving at UK in Jan. 1999.
Neal Brown Reserve Z receiver has one catch for four yards.
Anthony Kelly Reserve receiver has two catches for five yards Also does a great jobcovering punts and has four tackles this season.
Quentin McCord Shares the X position with Derek Abney Has been a big-playreceiver for the Wildcats, with 10 receptions for 214 yards and two TDs, averaging 21.4 yardsper catch Had a 67-yard TD at Louisville and a 60-yard catch vs. South Florida.
Jimmy Robinson Playing in a rare sixth year to complete his eligibility, as he missed the1996 and 1999 seasons because of injuries Has one reception for five yards One of fourWildcats who have graduated already and has diploma in the field of social work.
Running Backs
Derek Homer Starts at halfback but also sees action at fullback Has gained 53 yards,averaging 4.4 per carry Ranks 12th in school history with 1,603 rushing yards Second onthe team in receptions with 12 for 96 yards Has 103 pass receptions in his career, the fifthWildcat to reach the century mark in catches.
Artose Pinner Started the first two games at fullback Teams second leading rusherwith 54 yards on 19 carries Also three receptions for 15 yards.
Chad Scott True freshman got his first collegiate start in the Indiana game Teamsleading rusher with 169 yards on 29 carries, averaging 5.8 per carry Rushed for 106 yards inthe win over South Florida Gained 63 yards vs. Indiana and scored his first two collegiatetouchdowns Also has seven receptions for 36 yards.
Quarterbacks
Shane Boyd True freshman who is a fine prospect and has a very strong arm Coacheshope to redshirt him, but could be called to action if Jared Lorenzen should fall victim to injury.
Jared Lorenzen Leads the nation in total offense, averaging 362 yards per game Hascompleted 85 of 139 passes for 1,043 yards and eight touchdowns Ranks third in the nationin attempts, completions, yardage, and TD passes Has played consistently, with at least 300passing yards and two TDs in each game Named the SEC Player of the Week by USAToday following his performance in the season opener at Louisville Was chosen as thepreseason SEC Newcomer of the Year as predicted by the Blue Ribbon College FootballYearbook.
At 6-4, 275 pounds, Lorenzen might be the largest regular starting quarterback in collegehistory Was born 13 pounds, three ounces Has been a quarterback since beginning toplay organized football at age five Has remarkable agility for a player his size and has 43 netrushing yards this season, even with sack yardage deducted Has avoided several sacksbecause of his size and strength, which have enabled him to get rid of the ball despite pressure. Mark Perry Teams backup quarterback Also the holder for placekicks.
Defense
Coordinator Mike Major calls his unit the Black Flag defense. The idea is to give hisplayers the mindset of never surrender The Wildcat defenders lead the SEC in quarterbacksacks with 13 The Cats are tied for second nationally in fumble recoveries with seven The Cats are tied for 15th in the country in total turnovers gained with eight The Wildcatdefense has already scored twice this season on fumble returns UK led the SEC in turnovertakeaways last season with 31.
Defensive Line
Jeremy Caudill True freshman has started every game at defensive tackle Has sixtackles, including a season high of four against Indiana Has two tackles for loss, including hisfirst collegiate sack in the Indiana game Has remarkable physical gifts of strength and speed,which enable him to play as a true freshman.
Chris Demaree Has eight tackles as a reserve end Has three tackles for loss (-18),including a sack at Louisville Is a cousin of Lonny Demaree, a sportswriter for theCommunity Voice newspaper in Lexington.
Otis Grigsby Moved into the starting lineup the last two games after Dennis Johnson wassidelined by injury Has six tackles, including a sack at Louisville.
Dennis Johnson Sidelined by a high ankle sprain in the Louisville game Has missedthe last two games and not expected to return in the near future Second-team All-SECperformer last season.
Matt Layow Senior end has played outstanding football so far this season Leads thedefensive linemen in tackles with 14 Tied with Marlon McCree for the team lead in totaltackles for loss (five for -31) and quarterback sacks (three for -26) Also has three fumblerecoveries With two minutes to go against Indiana, he picked up a fumble and rumbled 21yards for the game-winning touchdown It was his second touchdown as a Wildcat, alsoscoring on a six-yard interception return at Florida in 1998 Has two interceptions during hiscareer The brightest moment of his career came in the summer of 1999, while visiting hisgirlfriend in Lexington, when he saved the life of a choking baby.
Dewayne Robertson True freshman defensive tackle has played very well The heroof the Indiana game, causing two fumbles, both of which resulted in Wildcat TDs His lastfumble caused came with two minutes remaining in the game, and the loose ball was returned 21yards by Matt Layow for the game-winning touchdown Totals 10 tackles on the season Has four tackles for loss (-27), including two QB sacks (-16).
John Robinson Reserve defensive tackle has made one tackle.
Nick Seitze Reserve defensive tackle has made five tackles this season.
Grayson Smith Began the season as a reserve tackle, then moved to end when DennisJohnson was hurt in order to give more depth there Has made one tackle Reached thesemifinals of the heavyweight division of the 2000 National Boxing Championships held in April.
Linebackers
Chris Gayton Starter at the strongside linebacker Has 16 tackles, including acareer-high nine at Louisville Has three tackles for loss (-10), including one sack.
Marlon McCree The starter at weakside linebacker His outstanding speed andblitzing can create havoc with opposing offenses Tied for the team lead in tackles (24),tackles for loss (five for 34), and quarterback sacks (three for 22) Recovered two fumbles atLouisville, returning one of them nine yards for a touchdown Had 10 tackles vs. SouthFlorida, four for loss, including two QB sacks One of four Wildcats who has alreadygraduated and has a degree in finance.
Ryan Murphy Has started all three games at middle linebacker Has 12 tackles,including one for loss Season high of nine tackles came in the opener at Louisville Alsohas one pass breakup.
Jamal White Sees action as the backup middle linebacker Has seven tackles thisseason Had a season high of six stops against South Florida, including a quarterback sack.
Defensive Backs
Willie Gary Started the Indiana game at free safety, making eight tackles Hadstarted the first two games at cornerback in place of the injured Kenneth Grant Played verywell at the corner Has totaled 16 tackles and one pass breakup this season Intelligentplayer who has played every position in the secondary during his career at UK Has 26career starts, more than any current Wildcat.
Kenneth Grant Missed the first two games while recovering from an ankle sprainsuffered on the first day of practice Aug. 11 Returned for the Indiana game and played wellwith four tackles and a pass breakup.
David Johnson Starting strong safety since the South Florida game Tied for the teamlead in tackles with 24 after making a career-high 13 stops against Indiana Also had a passbreakup against the Hoosiers Has made an excellent recovery after sustaining a brokenorbital bone (eye socket) in the 1999 season opener The injury threatened his career, but hehealed well.
Eric Kelly In his third year as a starting cornerback and is an outstanding cover man Playing with a broken thumb sustained in the opener at Louisville Plays with a fiberglass castthat is covered by foam padding Has nine tackles and one pass breakup this season Has20 pass breakups in his career, ranking fourth on the school career list Had 13 PBU lastyear, tying the single-season school record One of four Wildcats who have alreadygraduated and has his degree in social work.
Derrick Tatum — Teams top reserve at cornerback and also serves as the nickel backwhen the Wildcats utilize five DBs Has made 12 tackles this season.
Anthony Wajda Started the first two games of the season at free safety and now plays asa reserve Has 11 tackles and has the teams only interception of the season Second-teamAll-SEC when he had five interceptions and three pass breakups last season and was SECDefensive Player of the Week vs. Louisiana State.
Patrick Wiggins Started the opener at strong safety and now plays as a reserve Hasfour tackles this season SEC Defensive Player of the Week last season in the bowl-clinchingwin at Vanderbilt.
Special Teams
Coleman Barnes Teams long snapper on punts and placekicks Had ahigh snap on his first extra point in the Louisville game, but has been flawlesssince In his first year on the varsity after playing for the junior varsity lastseason.
Seth Hanson Teams starting punter and also has been handling fieldgoals and extra points since the South Florida game If he continues as aregular in both roles, he will be the first Wildcat to do so since All-AmericanLou Michaels handled punting and kicking in 1957 Is in his first seasonpunting since his senior year of high school (1996) Averaging 38.5 yards perpunt, with three landing inside the 20-yard line Has made all four field goalattempts, with a long of 36 yards, and is 8-8 on extra points Was the teamsstarting kicker in 1997 and 1998 before going through an injury redshirtseason last year Has made 19 of 26 field goals in his career Holds UKcareer records for extra points made (86) and attempted (90) In 1998, setUK single-season records for extra points made (48) and attempted (51) andfor most points made by a kicker (81).
Clint Ruth True freshman who has shared kickoff duties with BrandonSanders Has kicked off 13 times, with 10 returned, two out of bounds, andone touchback.
Brandon Sanders Has shared kickoff duties with Clint Ruth Haskicked off seven times, with six returned and one touchback Also handledplacekicking against Louisville and made both extra point attempts.
Kendrick Shanklin UKs primary kickoff and punt returner Averaging23.8 on kickoff returns, fourth in the SEC and 32nd nationally Averaging 1.9yards on punt returns Led the SEC last season in punt returns with a13.5-yard average, including a TD return vs. Louisiana State.
