Kentucky (2-2, 0-1) at Mississippi (2-1, 1-1)
Sept. 30, 2000, 7 p.m. EDT / 6 p.m. CDT
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (cap. 50,577)
Wildcats Headlines
Wildcats looking for first SEC win
UK leads the nation in passing offense, ninth in total offense
UK defense is seventh in the nation in fumbles recovered, leads the SEC in quarterback sacks
QB Jared Lorenzen leads the nation in passing yardage, second in total offense, third in touchdown passes
On the Tube
There is no live or delayed telecast scheduled in Kentucky.
On the Radio
The University of Kentucky Football Radio Network will carry the broadcast on approximately 80 stations. The networkincludes new flagship stations WLAP (630 AM) and WBUL (98.1 FM) in Lexington and 50,000-watt stations WHAS (840 AM)and WSAI (1530 AM).
Tom Leach calls the play-by-play for the Wildcats. Former Wildcat star Jeff Van Note is the analyst and Dick Gabriel is thesideline reporter.
The broadcast also can be heard around the world through the internet at ukathletics.com.
Kentucky Results and Schedule (2-2, 0-1 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 at Mississippi, 7:00 p.m.Oct. 7 South Carolina, 7:00 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)Ole Miss Results and Schedule (2-1, 1-1 SEC)Sept. 2 UM 49, Tulane 20 (H)Sept. 9 Auburn 35, UM 27 (H)Sept. 16 UM 12, Vanderbilt 7 (A)Sept. 23 openSept. 30 KentuckyOct. 7 Arkansas StateOct. 14 at AlabamaOct. 21 openOct. 28 Nevada-Las VegasNov. 4 at ArkansasNov. 11 Louisiana StateNov. 18 at GeorgiaNov. 23 Mississippi State
The Series
Overall: UM leads 23-12-1
Current Streak: UK has won one
First Meeting: 1944, UK 27-7 in Lexington
Last Meeting: 1993, UK 21-0 in Lexington
Last UM Win: 1992, 24-14 in Oxford
In Oxford: UM leads 5-2
Series Notes: The teams played annually from 1944-71, but only eight times since then … Mississippi won eight in a row, from1956-63, before the Wildcats scored one of the biggest victories in school history a 27-21 win over the No. 1-ranked Rebels onSept. 26, 1964 … UK’s longest win streak in the series is three games, from 1948-50 … Over the years, Ole Miss’ “home games”were played in Oxford, Jackson, and Memphis … UM leads UK 15-3 in its home games, including 5-2 in Oxford, 5-1 in Jackson,and 5-0 in Memphis.
How Experienced are the Tentative Starters?
Sr. Jr. Soph. RFr. Fr.UK 8 3 7 1 3UM 12 7 3 0 0
Last Time vs. Mississippi
On Oct. 2, 1993, Kentucky played probably its best game of the season as the Peach Bowl-bound Wildcats defeatedMississippi, 21-0, in Lexington.
Kentucky scored on its first three possessions, sandwiching a pair of Juha Leonoff field goals around a three-yard TD run byMoe Williams. Meanwhile, the Kentucky defense did not allow a first down until the 4:00-mark of the second quarter. For thegame, the Wildcats limited the visitors to 201 yards of total offense and never let the Rebels inside the UK 30-yard line. Kentuckyalso intercepted three passes.
UK closed the scoring in the fourth quarter when Pookie Jones connected with Mark Chatmon on a 33-yard touchdown. Jones completed 13 of 25 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown. Williams led the ground game with 18 carries for 73 yards and aTD.
Night Games
Kentucky has an all-time record of 99-98-4 in night games, including 1-1 this season.
Charting the Tendencies
Kentucky has a 20-19 overall record in three seasons under Coach Hal Mumme. Here are some tendencies that have emergedthat generate success for the Wildcats. Kentucky’s record when:
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
Wildcats in the SEC Stats
Team and individual stats in the top three in the SEC:
Team
Passing Offense: 1st, 351.5 yards per game
Total Offense: 1st, 466.5 yards per game
PAT Kicking: T1st, 100 percent
Quarterback Sacks: 1st, 17 sacks
Sacks Against: T3rd, 4 sacks allowed
First Downs: T1st, 92 first downs
Fourth-Down Conversions: 3rd, 77.8 percent
Individual
Passing Yardage: Jared Lorenzen 1st, 351.5 yards per game
Total Offense: Jared Lorenzen 1st, 364.2 yards per game
Receptions Per Game: Derek Smith 3rd, 5.8 rec. 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: 1st, 351.5 yards per game
Total Offense: 9th, 466.5 yards per game
Fumble Recoveries: T7th, 7 recoveries
Individual
Pass Attempts: Jared Lorenzen 1st, 198 attempts
Comp. Per Game: Jared Lorenzen 1st, 30 comp. per gm.
Comp. Percentage: Jared Lorenzen 19th, 60.6 percent
Passing Yardage: Jared Lorenzen 3rd, 1406 yards
Touchdown Passes: Jared Lorenzen 3rd, 10 TD passes
Total Offense: Jared Lorenzen 2nd, 364.2 yards per game
Points Responsible For: Jared Lorenzen T6th, 18.5 points responsible per game
Homer Looking to Move Up Charts
Senior halfback Derek Homer ranks 12th in school history with 1,598 rushing yards. He needs 12 yards to surpass SteveCampassi (1,609) for 11th place and 67 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 115 yards per game in the 2000 campaign, up from 75 yards per game last season. Even moreimportant is the fact that UK fullbacks Chad Scott and Artose Pinner the primary ballcarriers are averaging 5.6 and 5.0 yards percarry, respectively.
Offensive Line Growing
UK’s offensive line, with only one senior starter, appears to be an improved unit this year.
As mentioned in the previous note, rushing yardage is up from 75 yards per game to 115 yards per game so far this season.
Pass protection has gotten better as well. UK has allowed just four quarterback sacks in 204 passing plays this season a sackprevention ratio of 98 percent, tops in the SEC.
Kentucky had a very young line last season, replacing all five starters from the 1998 line. All five starters returned from lastseason, although center Nolan DeVaughn currently is out with an injury and guard Kip Sixbery is playing as a reserve.
Starting Em Young
Coach Hal Mumme isn’t afraid to play true freshmen immediately. In fact, Mumme has started at least onetrue freshman in the season 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 have startedevery game.
Another true freshman has joined the lineup as running back Chad Scott started the last two games, although Scott could missthis week’s game with a sprained ankle.
A Note About the Defensive Statistics
There has been a change in how the Southeastern Conference is listing tackles for loss this season. The stat column ‘tackles forloss’ combines tackles for loss on running plays and quarterback sacks. In previous seasons, the tackles for loss column did notinclude QB sacks.
Checking the Defensive Progress
The Kentucky defense has shown improvement each season since Coach Hal Mumme and defensive coordinator Mike Majortook 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 Kentucky defense, the Wildcats have blocked 11opponent 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 Kentucky defense, the defensive Cats have scored10 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 fumble return at Louisville and Matt Layow’s21-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: 37 by Aaron Daniel, Derek Homer, Marlon McCree
Most Games Started: 27 by Willie Gary
100-Yard Rushing Games: 4 by Derek Homer, 1 by Chad Scott, 1 by Artose Pinner
100-Yard Receiving Games: 2 by Quentin McCord, 1 by Jimmy Robinson, 1 by Kendrick Shanklin
Games With Double-Figure Tackles: 4 by Willie Gary, 2 by Marlon McCree, 1 by David Johnson
Scoring in the Blue Zone (20-and-in)
Kentucky: Converted 15 of 16 opportunities for 84 points (10 touchdowns, fivefield goals, one blocked field goal).
Opponents: Converted 16 of 20 opportunities for 99 points (13 touchdowns, three field goals, two fumbles lost, one held ondowns, one missed field goal).
Charting the Nailbiters
Under Coach Hal Mumme, UK has a 7-5 record in ‘nailbiter’ games, i.e., games decided by seven points or less. TheWildcats are 1-1 in nailbiters this season.
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 20-19 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 85-46-1 (.648).
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 later on this page for fourth-down analysis.
Limited hitting in practice: The Wildcats had four scrimmages in the spring and none in August. The Wildcats do some livetackling work in practice, but there is no scrimmaging.
“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 the next page for a story on theJV squad.
Fourth-Down Analysis
In four seasons under Hal Mumme, Kentucky has “gone for it” on fourth down 118 times and made it 60 times.
The 60 successes have eventually resulted in 33 touchdowns and five field goals for Kentucky. The 58 missed attempts haveresulted in 19 touchdowns and two field goals on the ensuing opponent possessions.
Kentucky has made 9 of 13 fake punts under Mumme.
The Wildcats have made seven of nine 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 519-490-44 (.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 results and schedule:
Mon. Sept. 18 Georgetown 42, UKJV 13 (A) Mon. Sept. 25 Campbellsville postponed, weatherMon. Oct. 2 Georgetown 6:00Mon. Oct. 9 at Eastern Kentucky cancelled Mon. 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 95-71-4 (.571) in Commonwealthsince the stadium opened in 1973. Kentucky is 13-7 (.650) at home under Coach Hal 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 leads the nation in passing offense with 351.5 yards pergame and is ninth nationally in total offense, 466.5 yards per game … UKleads the SEC in both categories … UK has led the SEC in passing offenseall three previous seasons under Coach Hal Mumme.
Offensive Line
The offensive line appears to have made progress since last season … Rushing yardage is up 40 yards per game … TheWildcats allowed 52 quarterback sacks last season, but only four so far this year … UK leads the SEC in sack prevention at 98.0percent, with only four sacks allowed in 204 pass plays.
Matt Brown Starting left tackle … Sustained a sprained ankle against Louisville … Missed the South Florida game, breaking astring of 15 consecutive regular-season starts … Returned for the Indiana game … Did not begin playing football until his sophomoreyear of high school … Hobby is working on vintage cars.
Keith Chatelain Took over at center when Nolan DeVaughn was lost for the season with a knee injury in the Louisville game… Has started the last three games.
Aaron Daniel Fifth-year senior who is the utility reserve in the offensive line … Can play center or either guard position.
Nolan DeVaughn UK’s starting center suffered a knee injury in the Louisville game and appears to be lost for the season.
Antonio Hall True freshman has started every game at right tackle … One of the nation’s most highly sought linemanprospects a year ago … Has excellent musical aptitude, plays the piano, and is a gifted singer.
Josh Parrish Has started three games, twice at left guard and once at right guard … Played every offensive snap of the 1999season at right guard.
Kip Sixbery Has started two games at left guard … Played every down of the 1999 season at left guard, and at the age of 17,was the youngest full-time starter in Division I-A football.
Omar Smith UK’s only senior starter in the offensive line … Moved from right tackle to right guard for the 2000 season and iswell-regarded as a pro prospect … Played left tackle vs. South Florida while Matt Brown was out with an injury … Played everydown of the 1999 season at right tackle … One of four Wildcats who have graduated already, has his degree in social work.
Tight Ends
Chase Harp Reserve tight end has six catches for 103 yards, including a long of 35 yards vs. Indiana … Sustained a sprainedankle at Florida and his status is uncertain for this week … Came to UK as a quarterback and moved to tight end in the spring of1999.
Derek Smith Starting tight end is the team’s leading receiver with 23 catches for 303 yards, 13.2 per catch, and four TDs … Ranks third in the SEC and 28th nationally with 5.75 receptions per game … Had a career-high eight catches at Floridaand a single-game best of 99 receiving yards at Louisville.
Wide Receivers
Derek Abney Shares the “X” receiver position with Quentin McCord … Has 14 catches for 139 yards and two TDs … Bestgame came vs. South Florida with five catches for 62 yards and two TDs … Wears uniform No. 12 in honor of his childhood best friend, Ezra Hartinger, who died when they were in seventh grade.
Dougie Allen Starting “Z” receiver has made a remarkable recovery from the knee injury and reconstructive surgery thatoccurred in Oct. 1999 … Has eight catches for 134 yards and two TDs, averaging 18.7 per catch.
Bobby Blizzard Starting “H” receiver has caught eight passes for 97 yards … Has worked hard to lose approximately 20pounds and improve his conditioning since arriving at UK in Jan. 1999.
Neal Brown Reserve “Z” receiver has two catches for seven yards.
Anthony Kelly Reserve receiver has two catches for five yards … Also does a great job covering punts and has four tacklesthis season.
Quentin McCord Shares the “X” position with Derek Abney … Has been a big-play receiver for the Wildcats with 15receptions for 329 yards and two TDs, averaging 21.9 yards per catch … Has four plays of 45 yards or more this season.
Jimmy Robinson Playing in a rare sixth year to complete his eligibility, as he missed the 1996 and 1999 seasons because ofinjuries … Has one reception for five yards … One of four Wildcats who have graduated already and has diploma in the field ofsocial work.
Running Backs
Derek Homer Starts at halfback but also sees action at fullback … Has gained 48 rushing yards … Ranks 12th in schoolhistory with 1,598 rushing yards … Second on the team in receptions with 20 for 176 yards … Has 111 pass receptions in hiscareer, ranking fourth in school history … Coaches also have lauded his excellent blocking.
Artose Pinner Started the first two games at fullback …Came off the bench at Florida to rush for 125 yards on 17 carries, thefirst 100-yard game of his collegiate career … Team’s second leading rusher with 179 yards on 36 carries, averaging 5.0 yards perattempt … Also has six receptions for 27 yards.
Chad Scott True freshman got his first collegiate start in the Indiana game … Team’s leading rusher with 186 yards on 33carries, averaging 5.6 per attempt, and has three touchdowns … Rushed for 106 yards in the win over South Florida … Gained 63yards vs. Indiana and scored his first two collegiate touchdowns … Rushed for 17 yards and a TD at Florida before sustaining asprained ankle … Status is questionable for this week’s game … Also has 10 receptions for 65 yards.
Quarterbacks
Shane Boyd True freshman who is a fine prospect and has a very strong arm … Coaches hope to redshirt him, but could becalled to action if Jared Lorenzen should fall victim to injury.
Jared Lorenzen Has completed 120 of 198 passes for 1,406 yards and 10 touchdowns … Leads the nation in attempts,completions, and passing yardage … Second nationally in total offense, with 364.2 yards per game, and is third in TD passes … Hasplayed consistently with at least 300 passing yards and at least two TDs in each game … Named the SEC Player of the Week byUSA Today following his performance in the season opener at Louisville … Was chosen as the preseason “SEC Newcomer of theYear” as predicted by the Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook.
At 6-4, 275 pounds, Lorenzen might be the largest regular starting quarterback in college history … Was born 13 pounds,three ounces … Has been a quarterback since beginning to play organized football at age five … Has remarkable agility for a playerhis size and has 51 net rushing yards this season, even with sack yardage deducted … Has rushed for two touchdowns … Has runthe quarterback sneak seven times this season, converting six first downs and a touchdown … Has avoided several sacks because ofhis size and strength, which have enabled him to get rid of the ball despite pressure.
Mark Perry Team’s backup quarterback … Also the holder for placekicks.
Defense
Coordinator Mike Major calls his unit the Black Flag defense. The idea is to give his players the mindset of never surrender… The Wildcat defenders lead the SEC in quarterback sacks with 17 … The Cats are tied for seventh nationally in fumblerecoveries with seven … The Cats are tied for 38th in the country in total turnovers gained with eight … The Wildcat defense hasalready scored twice this season on fumble returns … UK led the SEC in turnover takeaways last season with 31.
Defensive Line
Jeremy Caudill True freshman has started every game at defensive tackle … Has seven tackles, including a season high offour against Indiana … Has two tackles for loss, including his first collegiate sack in the Indiana game … Has remarkable physicalgifts of strength and speed, which enable him to play as a true freshman.
Chris Demaree Has 13 tackles as a reserve end … Has four tackles for loss (-20), including a sack at Louisville … Is acousin of Lonny Demaree, a sportswriter for the Community Voice newspaper in Lexington.
Otis Grigsby Moved into the starting lineup the last three games after Dennis Johnson was sidelined by injury … Has eighttackles, including sacks at Louisville and Florida.
Dennis Johnson Sidelined by a high ankle sprain in the Louisville game … Has missed the last three games and not expectedto return this week … Second-team All-SEC performer last season.
Matt Layow Senior end has played outstanding football so far this season … Leads the defensive linemen in tackles with 15… Second on the team in total tackles for loss (5.5 for -31) and quarterback sacks (3.5 for -26) … Also has three fumblerecoveries … With two minutes to go against Indiana, he picked up a fumble and rumbled 21 yards for the game-winning touchdown… It was his second touchdown as a Wildcat, also scoring on a six-yard interception return at Florida in 1998 … Has twointerceptions during his career … The brightest moment of his career came in the summer of 1999, while visiting his girlfriend inLexington, when he saved the life of a choking baby … Dedicated to community service and is one of only 11 players in NCAADivision I-A chosen for the National Good Works Team as selected by the American Football Coaches Association.
Dewayne Robertson True freshman defensive tackle has played very well … The hero of the Indiana game, causing twofumbles, both of which resulted in Wildcat TDs … His last fumble caused came with two minutes remaining in the game, and theloose ball was returned 21 yards by Matt Layow for the game-winning touchdown … Totals 12 tackles on the season … Has fourtackles for loss (-35), including three QB sacks (-24).
John Robinson Reserve defensive tackle has made three tackles.
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 Dennis Johnson was hurt in order to providemore depth … Has made one tackle … Reached the semifinals of the heavyweight division of the 2000 National BoxingChampionships held in April.
Linebackers
Chris Gayton Starter at the strongside linebacker … Has 20 tackles, including a career-high nine at Louisville … Has threetackles for loss (-10), including one sack … Sustained a sprained knee at Florida and is doubtful for the Mississippi game.
Marlon McCree The starter at weakside linebacker … His outstanding speed and blitzing can create havoc with opposingoffenses … Leads the team lead in tackles (32), tackles for loss (7.5 for 51), and quarterback sacks (4.5 for 37) … Recovered twofumbles at Louisville, returning one of them nine yards for a touchdown … Had 10 tackles vs. South Florida, four for loss, includingtwo QB sacks … Also had two sacks at Florida … Has accounted for 183 yards of opponent losses during his career … One offour Wildcats who has already graduated and has a degree in finance.
Ryan Murphy Has started all four games at middle linebacker … Has 16 tackles, including one for loss … Season high of ninetackles came in the opener at Louisville … Also has one pass breakup.
Jamal White Sees action as the backup middle linebacker … Has seven tackles this season … Had a season high of six stopsagainst South Florida, including a quarterback sack.
Defensive Backs
Willie Gary Now starting at free safety after starting the first two games at cornerback in place of the injured KennethGrant … Has totaled 22 tackles and one pass breakup this season … Intelligent player who has played every position in thesecondary during his career at UK … Has 27 career starts, more than any current Wildcat.
Kenneth Grant Missed the first two games while recovering from an ankle sprain suffered on the first day of practice Aug. 11… Has started the last two games and has nine tackles and a pass breakup.
David Johnson Starting strong safety since the South Florida game … Second on the team in tackles with 29 after making acareer-high 13 stops against Indiana … Also had a pass breakup against the Hoosiers … Has made an excellent recovery aftersustaining a broken orbital bone (eye socket) in the 1999 season opener … The injury threatened his career, but he made a fullrecovery.
Eric Kelly In his third year as a starting cornerback and is an outstanding cover man … Playing with a broken thumb sustainedin the opener at Louisville … Plays with a fiberglass cast that is covered by foam padding … Has 13 tackles and two pass breakupsthis season … Has 22 pass breakups in his career, second on the school career list … Had 13 PBU last year, tying the single-seasonschool record … One of four Wildcats who have already graduated and has his degree in social work.
Derrick Tatum — Team’s top reserve at cornerback and also serves as the nickel back when the Wildcats utilize five DBs… Has made 13 tackles this season.
Anthony Wajda Started the first two games of the season at free safety and now plays as a reserve … Has 11 tackles and hasthe team’s only interception of the season … Second-team All-SEC when he had five interceptions and three pass breakups lastseason and was SEC Defensive Player of the Week vs. Louisiana State.
Patrick Wiggins Started the opener at strong safety and now plays as a reserve … Has six tackles this season … SECDefensive Player of the Week last season in the bowl-clinching win at Vanderbilt.
Special Teams
Coleman Barnes Team’s long snapper on punts and placekicks … Had a high snap on his first extra point inthe Louisville game, but has been flawless since … In his first year on the varsity after playing for the junior varsitylast season.
Seth Hanson Team’s starting punter and also has been handling field goals and extra points since the SouthFlorida game … If he continues as a regular 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 season punting since his senior year of high school(1996) … Averaging 38.3 yards per punt, with three landing inside the 20-yard line … Has made all five field goalattempts, with a long of 36 yards, and is 12-12 on extra points … Was the team’s starting kicker in 1997 and 1998before going through an injury redshirt season last year … Has made 20 of 27 field goals in his career … Holds UKcareer records for extra points made (90) and attempted (94) … In 1998, set UK single-season records for extrapoints made (48) and attempted (51) and for most points made by a kicker (81) … President of the school’s chapterof the Fellowship of Christian Athletes … Named to the 1999 National Good Works Team by the AmericanFootball Coaches Association in honor of his community service.
Clint Ruth True freshman who has shared kickoff duties with Brandon Sanders … Has kicked off 14 times,with 11 returned, two out of bounds, and one touchback.
Brandon Sanders Has shared kickoff duties with Clint Ruth … Has kicked off 12 times, with 10 returned, oneonside and one touchback … Also handled placekicking against Louisville and made both extra point attempts.
Kendrick Shanklin UK’s primary kickoff and punt returner … Averaging 22.5 on kickoff returns, fourth in theSEC and 41st nationally … Averaging 2.0 yards on punt returns … Led the SEC last season in punt returns with a13.5-yard average, including a TD return vs. Louisiana State.
