Kentucky (0-0) at Louisville (0-0)
Sat. Sept. 5, 1998, 3:07 p.m.
Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, cap. 42,000
Wildcats Headlines
– Kentucky opens its 108th season of intercollegiate football – Hal Mumme begins his second season as head coach of the Wildcats – First UK season opener away from home since 1982 – “Air Raid” offense hoping to continue its 1997 effectiveness under the direction of preseason All-America quarterback Tim Couch – Speedier, but younger, UK defense looking to show progress
Triple Tube Time for Cats and Cards
Three entities will be televising this game.
Live TV – The game will be nationally cablecast as the “Conference USA Game of the Week” on the FOX Sports Net, which is comprised of 22 regional cable outlets around the country. The Fox Sports Net reaches 60 million homes and includes:
FOX Sports Arizona FOX Sports Bay AreaFOX Sports Chicago FOX Sports DetroitFOX Sports Midwest FOX Sports New England FOX Sports New York FOX Sports Northwest FOX Sports Ohio FOX Sports PittsburghFOX Sports Rocky Mtn. FOX Sports SouthFOX Sports Southwest FOX Sports WestFOX Sports West2Comcast SportsNet (Philadelphia area)Empire SportsFOX Sports Net MSG (New York)HTS (Home Team Sports)MSC (Midwest Sports Channel)NESN (New England Sports Network)Sunshine Network (Florida)
Paul Kennedy will call the play-by-play and Trevor Matich is the analyst. Delay TV – The UKTV Network, which features 13 stations and cable systems, will televise the game on a delayed basis. Rob Bromley calls the play-by-play and former Wildcats star Derrick Ramsey provides analysis. Dick Gabriel handles reports from the sidelines.
Check local listings for the UKTV Network station and telecast time in your area.
Television station WDRB in Louisville also will have a delayed telecast of the game.
UK Football Radio Network
The University of Kentucky Football Radio Network will carry the broadcast on approximately 80 stations. The network includes flagship station WVLK (590 AM) in Lexington and 50,000-watt stations WHAS (840 AM) and WSAI (1530 AM).
Tom Leach is in his second season calling the play-by-play for the Wildcats. Former Wildcats star Jeff Van Note is the analyst and Dick Gabriel is the sidelines reporter.
Ticket Information
It’s a sellout.
Kentucky Schedule (0-0, 0-0 SEC)Sept. 5 at Louisville, 3:07 p.m.Sept. 12 Eastern Kentucky, 1:30 p.m.Sept. 19 Indiana, 1:30 p.m.Sept. 26 at Florida, TBAOct. 3 at Arkansas, 7:00 p.m.Oct. 10 South Carolina (Homecoming), 7:00 p.m. Oct. 17 at Louisiana State, 9:00 p.m., ESPN2 Oct. 24 Georgia, 7:00 p.m.Oct. 31 openNov. 7 Mississippi State, 1:30 p.m.Nov. 14 Vanderbilt, 1:30 p.m.Nov. 21 at Tennessee, TBA All times are Eastern and subject to change.
Louisville Schedule (0-0, 0-0)Sept. 5 KentuckySept. 12 at UtahSept. 19 at IllinoisSept. 26 Boston CollegeOct. 3 CincinnatiOct. 10 at Southern MississippiOct. 17 at TulaneOct. 24 MemphisOct. 31 Western KentuckyNov. 14 at East CarolinaNov. 21 Army
The History of Wildcats vs. Cardinals
Overall: UK leads the series, 8-2
Current streak: UK has won one in a row
First meeting: 1912, UK 41-0 in Lexington Last meeting: 1997, UK 38-24 in Lexington Last UL win: 1996, 38-14 in Lexington
In Louisville: UK leads 2-0
Series notes: The Wildcats play the Cardinals in Louisville for the first time since 1915 Sum The teams played six times from 1912-24, with the Wildcats winning all six by shutout Sum The series was dormant until the renewal in 1994 Sum The teams have split four games since 1994.
Last Season vs. Louisville
Kentucky began the Hal Mumme Era with a 38-24 victory over Louisville, the 500th win in Kentucky history.
The Wildcats struck quickly, tying a school record for most points in the first quarter with 21, as quarterback Tim Couch threw for three touchdowns in the opening 11:07.
The Cardinals fought back to narrow the score to 21-17 before Couch and Kio Sanford hooked up on an 80-yard touchdown strike. A seven-yard TD run by Anthony White clinched the Wildcat win. For the game, Couch completed 36 of 50 passes for for 398 yards and four touchdowns, setting school records for completions and yardage. Sanford had six catches for 120 yards. White rushed 16 times for 94 yards. The Wildcats compiled 519 yards of total offense. QB Chris Redman led Louisville by completing 17 of 28 for 204 yards and two touchdowns, both to tight end Ibn Green. For more information and statistics on this game, see page 98 of the Kentucky football media guide.
How Experienced are the Tentative Starters?
Sr. Jr. Soph. RFr. Fr.UK 10 5 5 0 2UL 4 13 4 1 0
The Ouch Report (two-deep only)
FS Willie Gary (sprained ankle) questionable
Louisville Ties
– UK’s roster has four players from Louisville, including freshman LB Chris Demaree, freshman DE Richard Hardin, sophomore LB Gus Jacobs, and freshman FS Anthony Wajda.
– Freshman DB Billy King, of Goshen, Ky., played at Louisville’s Trinity High School.
– Sophomore kicker Marc Samuel, of Anchorage, Ky., played at Louisville’s Ballard High School.
Season Openers
Kentucky has a record of 76-26-5 (.734) in season openers, but is only 4-12-1 (.265) in season opening road games. This is the first time Kentucky has opened away from home since 1982.
The Governor’s Cup
The Governor’s Cup was created in 1994 as the trophy for the winner of the Kentucky-Louisville game.
Donated by The Kroger Company at a cost of $23,000, the Governor’s Cup stands 33 inches tall and weighs 110 pounds. The trophy’s base and upright columns are hand-milled black marble. The glass components are optic-grade crystal. All metal parts are 23-karat, gold-plated brass. The cup itself is pewter with a 32-karat gold-plated finish. The Governor’s Cup was designed by Kendall Costner and sculpted by James Corcoran of Bruce Fox, Inc.
Each school has won the trophy twice since the series was renewed in 1994. The Kroger Company also is involved in supporting academic pursuits at the schools. Kroger is donating $10,000 to the general scholarship fund of each school in each year of the current six-year football contract. Kroger’s donations now total $100,000 — $50,000 to each school.
Preseason Honors for the Wildcats
– Kentucky was ranked No. 24 in the preseason by Sports Illustrated.
– Quarterback Tim Couch was a first-team preseason All-America pick by Street and Smith’s and Lindy’s and a second-team All-America choice by Athlon Publications.
– Wide receiver Craig Yeast was a third-team pre-season All-America choice by Athlon Publications.
– Couch and Yeast were consensus preseason All-SEC picks.
First Starts
The tentative lineup has seven players – all defenders – slated to make the first starts of their collegiate careers. The list includes DE Gordon Crowe, DE Matt Layow, LB Marlon McCree, LB John Rader, CB Marvin Love, SS David Johnson, and FS Anthony Wajda.
Johnson and Wajda are true freshmen. This marks the third consecutive season that a true freshman could start for UK in the season opener. WR Quentin McCord started his first game in 1996. Willie Gary started at free safety and Derek Homer opened at halfback last season.
“Air Raid” Offense
Kentucky returns nine starters from last season, when the Wildcats broke or tied 51 school records and 15 SEC records. Kentucky ranked sixth in the nation in total offense with 474 yards per game, 108.6 yards per game rushing and 365.4 yards passing.
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Offensive Line – Five seniors with a total of 91 career starts open across the front line. OT Jonas Liening enters his fourth year as a starter. OT Kris Comstock and C Jason Watts begin their third season as regulars. OG Mike Webster started last season and OG Jeremy Streck was a starter in 1996. All-SEC guard John Schlarman is a big loss, but hopefully, improvement by the returning players will make up for his departure. Depth is inexperienced, other than senior OT David Berringer. Receivers – Eight of the top nine pass catchers return from a year ago, including six of the top seven wide receivers and tight ends. Senior WR Craig Yeast, who caught 73 passes for 873 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, leads a deep group. WRs Kevin Coleman, Lance Mickelsen, and Jimmy Robinson are proven performers, although Robinson has been slowed in August by a turf toe injury. TE Jimmy Haley is back from the foot injuries that hampered him last season and WR Quentin McCord shows no rust from having sat out the 1997 campaign. TE James Whalen, Jr., and WR Jermaine White have made noteworthy improvement.
Running Backs – Junior Anthony White and sophomore Derek Homer combined for 2,042 rushing and receiving yards in 1997 while sharing the fullback and halfback positions. This year, look for Homer to be the primary ballcarrier at fullback while White is more of a pass catcher at halfback. Quarterback – Tim Couch returns for his junior season after a sensational 1997 in which he completed 363 of 547 passes for 3,884 yards and 37 touchdowns. He led the nation in attempts, completions, completion percentage (66.4) and yardage. He broke or tied 17 school records and 10 SEC marks. A year of experience in the offense should help him do an even better job of calling plays and selecting receivers.
Previewing the Defense
Only five starters return from last year’s group that allowed 392.3 yards per game, 170.8 yards per game on the ground and 221.5 per game passing. Although the defense will be much younger, there is a noticeable increase in speed and quickness.
Defensive Line – Seniors Marvin Major (60 tackles) and Mark Jacobs (21 tackles) give the team a veteran set of tackles. Junior Gordon Crowe has looked good in August after moving from tackle to end. Soph Matt Layow opens at the other end. Junior tackle George Massey is the only experienced reserve. Several true freshmen will have to play early, including DE Dennis Johnson, the 1997 national high school defensive player of the year.
Linebackers – Junior Jeff Snedegar led the team in tackles last season with 97. He’ll see action at both outside linebacker and in the middle. Soph John Rader has been much improved and will play the middle when Snedegar is outside. Junior Lee Wesley (88 tackles) is a returning starter at OLB. Soph Marlon McCree, a former defensive back, brings excellent speed and coverage ability to an OLB post. Three true freshmen, Ronnie Riley, Jamal White, and Matt Schneider, will play as reserves. Secondary – This group is long on athletic ability and enthusiasm but very short on experience. Soph safety Willie Gary is the most experienced after starting all 11 games last year, but he is a question mark because of a sprained ankle incurred August 17. Senior Jeff Zurcher is seeing his first significant defensive action. True freshman safeties David Johnson and Anthony Wajda will have to play. The corners are sophs Eric Kelly and Jeremy Bowie, along with two converted offensive players, Marvin Love and Kenneth Grant. Only Kelly, who has four starts, has ever started a game.
Special Teams Outlook
Punting – Senior Jimmy Carter returns for his fourth year as a starter. He averaged 40.2 yards per punt last season. Carter will continue to aim for the sidelines under Coach Hal Mumme’s goal of limiting opponent punt returns.
Kicking – Sophomore Seth Hanson made 4-of-7 field goals and 30-of-31 extra points last season. He can make the 50-yarder if needed. Soph Marc Samuel has been handling the kickoffs.
Returns – Senior Craig Yeast averaged 23 yards on kickoff returns and 15.6 yards on punt returns last season, including a touchdown in each category. Kick Blocks – The Wildcats blocked five kicks last season, including three field goals, one extra point, and one punt. Kick Coverage – Could be improved, as the influx of the athletic freshman class gives the team greater speed in covering kicks.
Scoring in the Blue Zone in 1997 (20-and-in)
Kentucky – Converted 34 of 43 opportunities for 215 points (29 TDs, five FGs, one end of game, two lost on downs, three interceptions, two missed FG, one blocked FG).
Opponents – Converted 32 of 41 opportunities for 202 points (27 TDs, five FGs, two interceptions, two fumbles, three lost on downs, one missed FG, one blocked field goal).
Head Coach Hal Mumme
Hal Mumme (Tarleton State, 1975) is in his second season as head coach of the Wildcats. He was voted 1997 GTE Region 2 Coach of the Year by his peers in the American Football Coaches Association. He is in his 10th season as a collegiate head coach and has a career record of 70-33-1 (.678). Mumme had a 40-17-1 mark from 1992-96 at Valdosta State and took the Blazers to the NCAA Division II national playoffs in 1994 and 1996. He was named 1994 Georgia Coach of the Year by the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, the 1996 GTE Region 2 Coach of the Year by the AFCA, and the 1996 Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year.
Mumme had a 25-10 record from 1989-91 at Iowa Wesleyan College. He took his team to the Steamboat Classic bowl game in 1989 and ’90 and to the NAIA national playoffs in 1991. He was named the NAIA District Coach of the Year in 1989 and 1991.
For more on Mumme, see pages 22-27 of the Kentucky football media guide.
“Mummeball”
New 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 was 36 percent run and 64 percent pass.
– Taking risks: So far this season, Mumme has gone for it 38 times on fourth down and made 21, including three out of four on fake punts. He’s also tried seven onside kicks, recovering one. – Limited hitting in practice: The Wildcats had four scrimmages in the spring and none in August. Otherwise, hitting in practice is limited to work on technique; there is no full-scale hitting or tackling to the ground.
“We’re not going to get anybody hurt ifwe can help it,” Mumme says. “Why have a car wreck during the week when you’re going to have one on Saturday?”
“Mummeball is more classroom than battlefield,” wrote JohnClay of the Lexington Herald-Leader. “The head coach is not aSchwarzkopf but an alchemist, busy turning ordinary metals into gold.”
The approach paid off with fewer injuries in 1997, when only four players missed games because of injury. A total of 18 players missed games because of injury in 1996 under a conventional practice system.
– Open practices: All practices are open to fans and media. “I think the guys like crowds,” Mumme says. ” I know when I was playing I liked to perform in front of crowds. I think it makes them practice better.”
As for the fear of having his playsstolen, Mumme replies, “There aren’t many secrets anymore. Everybody pretty muchknows what everybody is doing.”
– Punting the ball out of bounds: UK’s punts are designed to go near the sideline or out of bounds. The strategy improved Kentucky’s net punting from 32.7 yards per punt in 1996 to 37 yards per punt in 1997.
– Playing true freshmen: Other than offensive linemen, Mumme believes in playing true freshmen. A majority of UK’s 25 true freshmen are likely to see playing time this season.
– Junior varsity team: Mumme continues to field a junior varsity team again this season. See below for a story on the JV squad.
UK Football History
The Kentucky Wildcats are in their 108th season of intercollegiate football. The first Southeastern Conference school to introduce football (1881), Kentucky has an all-time record of 504-477-44 (.513). Kentucky has two SEC championships, 1950 and 1976. The Wildcats have been to eight bowl games, most recently the 1993 Peach Bowl, and have the best bowl game winning percentage (.625) of any Southeastern Conference school. Kentucky’s highest in-season national ranking is third, by The Associated Press, on Nov. 20, 1950. UK’s highest final ranking is sixth in the AP poll in 1977.
Junior Varsity Team
One of Coach Hal Mumme’s innovations was the start of a junior varsity team.
The team is comprised primarily of walk-ons, in addition to a few scholarship players who are not being redshirted. The team will practice for approximately one month before playing a five-game schedule. UK graduate assistant coach Chris Hatcher is in his second season as the head coach of the JV team. The Wildcats JV posted a 2-3 record in 1997. Here is the schedule for the JV team:
Thurs. Sept. 24 Campbellsville JV 6:30Thurs. Oct. 1 Hargrave Military Academy 6:30 Thurs. Oct. 8 at Georgetown College JV 5:00 Thurs. Oct. 15 Georgia Military College 3:00 Sun. Oct. 25 Tennessee-Chattanooga JV 2:00
Checking the Opponents Here’s what Kentucky’s opponents are doing this week: Kentucky at LouisvilleKentucky State at Eastern KentuckyIndiana openThe Citadel at FloridaSouthwestern Louisiana at ArkansasBall State at South CarolinaLouisiana State openKent State at GeorgiaVanderbilt at Mississippi StateTennessee at Syracuse Catscellaneous- There is excellent continuity on the UK coaching staff. All nine of the Wildcats’ full-time assistant coaches return for the 1998 season, although there were two changes of assignment. Tom Adams, who coached the defensive tackles in 1997, takes over the entire defensive line this season. – Kentucky is in its 26th season in Commonwealth Stadium. The Wildcats have a record of 85-67-4 (.558) in Commonwealth since the stadium opened in 1973.- Commonwealth Stadium will be expanded following the 1998 season. Both end zones will be enclosed are 40 suites will be constructed. Capacity will increase to approximately 67,500.- UK has led or tied for the league lead in most players on the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 10 of the last 14 years. – Seven current players are walk-ons who were awarded full scholarships – P Jimmy Carter, WR Garry Davis, TE Paul McGonagle, C Mike Riddle, FB A. J. Simon, DE Grayson Smith, and SS Jeff Zurcher. – No, junior punter Jimmy Carter of Dunwoody, Ga., is not related to the former United States president.- The Kentucky cheerleaders won an unprecedented eighth national championship at the 1998 Universal Cheerleaders Association competition in January. The Wildcats cheerleaders have won the last four national titles – 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998.
Wildcats on the Web Visit the official University of Kentucky Athletics worldwide web site at www.ukathletics.com. The official Southeastern Conference web site is www.secsports.com.
