Fullback Martez Johnson heads upfield after pulling in a pass

The Kentucky football team held a pair of one and one-half hour practices Friday and had another workout scheduled for Friday evening.

After the morning workout, running backs coach Scott Highsmith talked about the progress of his group during the August practices.

“Ive been really pleased so far,” Highsmith said. “They have good attitude and work ethic, which is important no matter at what level youre playing.

“They catch the ball well and are running hard. We have a lot of fundamental work to do, and were a long way from where we need to be, but on the whole Im very pleased with what theyve done to this point.”

Senior Derek Homer goes through blocking drills as Coach Highsmith looks on.

Highsmith has good experience available at the halfback position, with senior Derek Homer, junior Kendrick Shanklin, and freshman Chad Scott expected to see action. Homer has rushed for 1,550 yards and caught 91 passes during his career. Shanklin has seen extensive action at a variety of positions the last two seasons. Scott has shown explosive speed.

There is much less seasoning, however, at fullback the primary ballcarrying position in the offense with sophomores Artose Pinner and Martez Johnson. Both players have looked good in practice and now must perform in game situations.

“I think well be able to overcome our inexperience,” Highsmith said. “We built a good knowledge base in the spring and that has carried over into these practices. Artose has some game experience and Martez is a third-year sophomore, so he is thoroughly familiar with what were doing. Chad Scott is a good player and he also understands the game. I think hell handle himself well.”

Kickoff Luncheon Slated for Aug. 25

The annual Kentucky Football Kickoff Luncheon has been scheduled for Friday, August 25, at 11:30 a.m. in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in the Lexington Civic Center Ballroom.

The cost is $40 per person or a table of 10 may be reserved for $400. Tickets may be purchased at the UK Ticket Office in Memorial Coliseum.

Kentucky Football Calendar:

Aug. 19         Practice, 1:30 p.m.Aug. 20         OffAug. 21         Practice, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.Aug. 22         Practice, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.Aug. 23         Classes begin, practice at 2 p.m.Aug. 25         Kickoff Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel

JP Sports SEC Pre-Season TV Show Set to Air

Jefferson-Pilot Sports, which televises the “SEC Game of the Week” throughout the South, also airs a 30-minute SEC pre-season preview of the 2000 season.

The show may be seen in the following stations that serve Kentucky markets:

Charleston, W. V.       WSAZ    Sat. Aug. 26, 12:30 p.m. ETCincinnati, Ohio        WBQC    Sat. Sept. 2, 11:30 a.m. ETEvansville, Ind.        WTVW    Sat. Aug. 26, 5:30 p.m. CTHazard, Ky.             WYMT    Sat. Aug 19, 12:30 p.m. ETLexington, Ky.  WKYT    Sat. Aug. 19, 12:30 p.m. ETLouisville, Ky.         WAVE    Sun. Aug. 27, 1:00 p.m. ETNashville, Tenn.        WSMV    Sat. Aug. 26, noon CTPaducah, Ky.            KFVS    Sun. Aug. 27, 12:30 p.m. CT