Kentucky Spring Football News and Notes (April 16)

The Kentucky football team held its final practice of the spring on Thursday, with the team’s spring game set for Saturday.

Following Thursday’s practice, head coach Will Stein, defensive coordinator Jay Bateman and offensive coordinator Joe Sloan addressed the media. Below are a few notes from the press conference.

Spring Game

Stein started by listing the players who will not play in the spring game due to injury. However, he said he feels confident that all of those players will be back for the fall.

Another thing that Stein addressed was the looming threat of bad weather on Saturday morning and afternoon.

“I want to make sure all of our fans know that we’re going to keep them posted throughout the next day, day and a half,” Stein said. “If it is inclement weather and severe chance of thunderstorms, we’re going to have to make the appropriate call come game time.”

Stein also touched on the format of the game.

“Blue will be the offense, white will be the defense,” Stein said. “Quarterbacks will be in black jerseys, those are non-contact. First half is going to be a 15-minute running clock. Second half will be 12 minutes. The last two minutes of each half will play out like a two-minute timeout.”

Stein also described how the teams will be able to earn points on Saturday.

“The offense, a touchdown is worth six, field goal is worth three, extra points one,” Stein said. “You can go for two-point conversion from the three or a four-point conversion from the 10 yard line. The defense can get points with a touchdown, six, turnovers are worth six, three-and-out or a turnover on downs is worth three and a forced punt is worth one.”

Defensive MVP?

Bateman was asked who the defensive MVP for the spring was and he was hesitant to single out any particular player. But he has been very impressed with junior defensive back Terhyon Nichols.

“The one kid that jumps out at me, I do think (Nichols) is a really good player,” Bateman said. “I’m really glad he’s here. He’s a tremendous player, really smart competitor. I think he’s everything you want in a football player.”

Sloan on Minchey

Sloan was asked about quarterback Kenny Minchey and what he has seen from him during spring drills.

“We ask the quarterback to control a lot of things out there, in our system,” Sloan said. “Kenny’s a really good thrower of the football, he’s athletics, he can do so many things. But I think the way he’s handled all of the plays that we’ve thrown at him, all the situations that we’ve thrown at him.”

Sloan also liked how Minchey has already picked up the offense so he can handle more of the situational aspect of being a quarterback in this system.

“He is now starting to adjust protections, adjust runs and be able to make quick adjustments, but also have an awareness of the situation,” Sloan said. “Where the play clock is or what kind of situation are we in. What are we trying to accomplish. And I think that’s showing up in practice and that’s what is exciting. I think he’s shown a lot of that, throughout spring, especially here as of late.”