Sept. 20, 1999
Florida (3-0, 1-0) at Kentucky (2-1, 0-0)
Sept. 25, 1999, 7:30 p.m. EDT
Commonwealth Stadium (cap. 67,530)
Wildcats Headlines
Southeastern Conference opener for Kentucky
Wildcats coming off 44-35 win at Indiana
UK leads the nation in net punting, fourth in passing offense,12th in total offense and kickoff returns
UK celebrates Jerry Claiborne Hall of Fame Weekend
On the Tube
Live Tv – ESPN will televise the game. Ron Franklin calls theplay-by-play. Mike Gottfried is the analyst and Adrian Karsten handlessideline reports.
This is Kentucky’s second consecutive game on ESPN, in addition to theIndiana game. ESPN also will televise UK’s game at Mississippi State onNov. 4.
For more on this week’s Tv appearance, see the Tv notes section on pagetwo of this release.
On the Radio
The University of Kentucky Football Radio Network will carry the broadcaston approximately 80 stations. The network includes flagship station WVLK(590 AM) in Lexington and 50,000-watt stations WHAS (840 AM) and WSAI (1530AM).
Tom Leach calls the play-by-play for the Wildcats. Former Wildcats starJeff van Note is the analyst and Dick Gabriel is the sideline reporter.
Tickets
As this was written on Monday morning, approximately 150 single tickets(no pairs) remained at the UK Ticket Office in Memorial Coliseum. Student ticket pickup began Monday, and strong demand indicates that thestudents are likely to use their entire allotment.
How the Wildcats Have Done (2-1, 0-0 SEC)
Sept. 4 Louisville 56, UK 28 (H)
Sept. 11 UK 45, Connecticut 14 (H)
Sept. 18 UK 44, Indiana 35 (A)
How the Gators Have Done (3-0, 1-0 SEC)
Sept. 4 UF 55, Western Michigan 26 (H)
Sept. 11 UF 58, Central Florida 27 (H)
Sept. 18 UF 23, Tennessee 21 (H)
Series History
Overall: UF leads 32-17
Current Streak: UF has won 12 in a row
First Meeting: 1917, UK 52-0 in Lexington
Last Meeting: 1998, UF 51-35 in Gainesville
Last UK Win: 1986, 10-3 in Lexington
In Lexington: UF leads 11-10
Notes: The teams played sporadically from 1917-37, then met annually from1948-57 and from 1967 to the present.
How Experienced are the Tentative Starters? Sr. Jr. Soph. RFr. Fr.UK 6 8 7 0 1UF 8 4 9 1 0
Injury Report (two-deep only)
CB Terrence Calhoun (sprained ankle) questionable
DE Anwar Stewart (sprained ankle) out 1-2 weeks
WR Jimmy Robinson (broken humerus) out indefinitely
SS David Johnson (broken orbital bone) out for the season
TE Chase Harp (stress fracture in femur) out for the season
Wildcats From the Sunshine State
Kentucky has 10 players from Florida, including:
Jr. OG Aaron Daniel, valparaiso
RS Fr. OG Tramaine Gaines, Lake Mary
Soph. SS Anthony Kelly, Campbellton
Jr. CB Eric Kelly, Panama City
Jr. DE Matt Layow, Miami
Jr. SS Marlon McCree, Daytona
Jr. OT Omar Smith, Miramar
Sr. DE Anwar Stewart, Panama City
Sr. FB Lee Wesley, Campbellton
Jr. WR Jermaine White, Gainesville
Last Year vs. Florida
Although Kentucky scored its most points against Florida since 1974, theWildcats were defeated 51-35 by the Gators in “The Swamp.”
Tied at 14 in the second quarter, the Gators gained the advantage withthree touchdowns passes for Nafis Karim in a span of 2:22. The Wildcatspulled within 13 points in the fourth quarter, but a Florida drive andfield goal late in the fourth quarter put the game away.
Tim Couch completed 40 of 61 passes for 404 yards and three touchdowns.He broke the UK career records for passing yardage and total offense.
Craig Yeast caught six passes for a school-record 206 yards and twotouchdowns. His average of 34.3 yards per catch also was a UK single-gamerecord. He had a 100-yard kickoff return and 97-yard pass reception fortouchdowns that were the longest such plays in school history. He added a74-yard touchdown reception. All totaled, Yeast had 331 all-purpose yardsand was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week.
The Wildcats defense struggled at times against the Gators but also madesome big plays. Defensive end Matt Layow had a six-yard interceptionreturn for a touchdown. Linebacker Marlon McCree had six tackles for loss,breaking the single-game school record.
Notes on the Tv Appearance
Kentucky has an all-time record of 18-54-1 on live national or regionalTv, including 4-11 in games telecast by ESPN or espn2.
Kentucky is 1-8 vs. Florida on live Tv. The Wildcats have not faced theGators in an ESPN game.
Kentucky will have at least four live Tv appearances in the 1999 season.The Louisville game was televised by Fox Sports Net South. The Indiana,Florida, and Mississippi State games were selected by ESPN.
Kentucky has been a popular Tv team under Coach Hal Mumme. The Wildcatsmade six live national or regional appearances in 1997, a school record.The 1998 ‘Cats broke that record with eight live Tv games.
SEC Openers
Since the Southeastern Conference was formed in 1933, Kentucky has posteda 19-44-2 (.308) mark in 65 league openers.
The Wildcats have lost 11 consecutive SEC openers, six of which have comeagainst Florida. Kentucky’s last victory in an SEC opener was a 35-6triumph over Mississippi in 1987.
UK vs. Ranked Opponents
Over the years, Kentucky has played 175 games against opponents ranked inthe Associated Press Top 20/25 poll. The Wildcats own a 34-136-5 recordagainst ranked opponents. Kentucky is 3-16 against Florida when the Gatorshave been ranked.
Jerry Claiborne Hall of Fame Weekend
In honor of Jerry Claiborne and his upcoming induction into the NationalFootball Foundation’s College Hall of Fame, the University of Kentucky hasdesignated the Florida game as the “Jerry Claiborne Hall of Fame Weekend.”
The activities begin on Friday with a luncheon, golf outing, and receptionat Lexington’s Campbell House Inn. A few openings remain for the golfouting, which costs $200 per person. Former UK football players andcoaches may participate in the golf outing for $100 per person. Personsinterested in the Friday golf activities should contact Craig Turner atHost Communications at 226-4571.
An opportunity to see College Football Hall of Fame memorabilia will beavailable in the “Traveling Road Show,” a bus specially designed totransport some of the Hall of Fame’s historical artifacts. The “TravelingRoad Show” will be on display Friday at the Campbell House and on Saturdayat the “Launch Pad” in the Commonwealth Stadium parking lot.
Host Communications, which helps the Hall of Fame in its marketing andpromotional efforts, has produced 5,000 posters featuring UK’s members ofthe Hall of Fame – Claiborne, Bob Gain, Babe Parilli, Lou Michaels, andCoach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Those posters will be given away at the Hall ofFame display at the “Launch Pad.”
Claiborne will be recognized at halftime of the game. Making thepresentation will be Bob Casciola, President of the National FootballFoundation and Hall of Fame, and Dale Creech, President of the NFF’s localchapter. The local chapter, quite fittingly, has been renamed the JerryClaiborne Central/Eastern Kentucky Chapter of the National FootballFoundation. Also in attendance will be Joe Owens, the Midwest RegionalCoordinator for the National Football Foundation. Claiborne will behonored again in December at the NFF’s dinner in New York City.
Claiborne, a native of Hopkinsville, was a three-year letterman underCoach Paul “Bear” Bryant as a blocking back, end, and defensive back. Hestill holds the UK single-season record for interceptions with ninepickoffs during the 1949 season.
Claiborne spent 10 years as a collegiate assistant coach, including1952-53 under Bryant at UK.
Claiborne was head coach at virginia Tech (1961-70), Maryland (1972-81),and Kentucky (1982-89). He compiled a record of 179-122-8 and earned Coachof the Year honors in three conferences – Southern, Atlantic Coast, andSoutheastern.
As the Kentucky head coach, he guided Kentucky to at least five victoriesin seven consecutive seasons, including trips to the 1983 and 1984 Hall ofFame Bowls. Five-or-more victories in seven consecutive seasons is a featmatched only by Bryant at UK.
The Wildcats also achieved academic excellence under Claiborne, placing athen-record 17 players on the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 1989 while winningthe College Football Association Academic Achievement Award for thenation’s highest graduation rate.
Since retiring, Jerry and his wife, Faye, have moved to Bowling Green, Ky.
Saturday’s halftime ceremony caps the Jerry Claiborne Hall of FameWeekend, which is sponsored by Fifth/Third Bank.
UK also has invited Gain, Parilli, and Michaels to attend this weekend’sactivities. As this was written, Parilli had committed to attend andGain’s decision was pending. Michaels cannot be in Lexington, as he willbe attending his 45th high school reunion this weekend.
Another former Wildcat great who will be visiting this weekend is GeorgeBlanda, who is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
UK Completes Non-Conference Schedule
Kentucky has completed the non-conference portion of the schedule with a2-1 record. Kentucky is 8-1 under Hal Mumme in regular-season non-conference play,including 3-0 vs. Indiana, 2-1 vs. Louisville, and 1-0 against NortheastLouisiana, Eastern Kentucky, and Connecticut.
Bonner Chosen CNN/SI Player of the Week
Sophomore quarterback Dusty Bonner has been chosen the CNN/SI Player ofthe Week for his performance at Indiana.
Bonner completed 24 of 31 passes for 304 yards and five touchdowns againstthe Hoosiers. He has thrown for more than 300 yards and at least threetouchdowns in all three games this season.
Young Team
Following the departure of 20 seniors from last season’s Outback Bowlteam, plus the early departure of quarterback Tim Couch to the NFL, CoachHal Mumme is fielding a relatively young team this season. Here are somefacts on the youth of the Wildcats.
Of Kentucky’s 84 scholarship players, 57 are freshmen or sophomores.
UK has 12 seniors on scholarship, but four of them are former walk-ons.UK has just eight recruited seniors on scholarship.
On the current depth chart, 14 of the 22 starters are in their firstseason as starting players. In addition, former tight end Jimmy Haley isin his first season as a starter at defensive tackle. And, both startingkickers are in their first season as starters.
Offensive guard Kip Sixbery holds the distinction of being the youngeststarting player in Division I-A football. Born on Nov. 27, 1981, he was 17years, nine months, and eight days old on the season opener vs. Louisville.
He won’t turn 18 until after the completion of the regular season.
Charting the Tendencies
Kentucky has a 14-12 overall record in two seasons under Coach Hal Mumme.Here are some tendencies that have emerged that generate success for theWildcats. Kentucky’s record when:
UK scores 40+ points: 8-0
UK scores 30+ points: 13-2
Opp. scores less than 30 points: 9-4
UK loses 0 or 1 turnover: 6-1
UK is plus or even in turnover margin: 8-1
UK creates four or more turnovers: 4-0
UK rushes for more yards than opponent: 8-2
UK holds opponent to less than 100 rushing yards: 6-0
Facts and Figures on Commonwealth Stadium
Originally constructed in 1973, Commonwealth Stadium had its firstexpansion this year. Here is some information on the expanded stadium:
Seating Capacity: 67,530, including the Commonwealth Suites. With gameworkers, media, etc., total attendance can exceed 70,000. The formerseating capacity was 57,800.
video Boards: Mitsubishi Diamond vision, 19 x 34 feet on the west endzone (University Drive) and 16 x 28.5 feet on the east end zone (NutterField House).
New Sound System: Coordinated by Mitsubishi as part of the video boardproject.
New Scoreboards: Two, one in each end zone, constructed by FairtronScoreboards.
New Restrooms: Eight, four on each end.
New Concession Stands: 10, five on each end.
New Concourse Televisions: 38, one at each concession stand in the stadium.
Commonwealth Suites: Total of 40, 10 in each corner of the stadium ? 36suites seat 18 people each and are leased for $39,600 per year ? Foursuites seat 24 people each and are leased for $52,800 per year.
Architect: HNTB of Kansas City, Mo.
Construction Manager: Turner Construction of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Cost: Projected at $24 million, with spending authority up to $27.6 million.
Wildcats in the SEC Stats
Team and individual stats in the top three in the SEC during the 1999 season:
Team
Scoring Offense: 2nd, 39 points per game
Passing Offense: 1st, 363 yards per game
Kickoff Returns: 2nd, 28.7 yards per return
Net Punting: 1st, 44.6 yards per return
Total Offense: 3rd, 473.7 yards per game
Punt Returns: 3rd, 11.4 per return
Passing Efficiency: 1st, 162 rating points
First Downs: 2nd, 76
Fourth Down Percentage: 3rd, 61.5 percent
PAT Percentage: T1st, 100 percent
Time of Possession: 2nd, 32:43 of time per game
Individual
Passing Yardage: Dusty Bonner 1st, 363 yards per game
Passing Efficiency: Dusty Bonner 2nd, 163.2 rating points
Total Offense: Dusty Bonner 1st, 358.3 yards per game
Receptions: James Whalen 2nd, 8.3 per game
TD Receptions: James Whalen T1st, 5 TDs
Kickoff Returns: Dougie Allen 1st, 30.3 yards per return
TD Scoring: James Whalen 3rd, 10.7 points per game
PAT Percentage: Marc Samuel T1st, 100 percent
Kick Scoring: Marc Samuel 2nd, 10.3 points per game
Field Goals: Marc Samuel T2nd, 2 per game
Wildcats in the NCAA Stats
Team and individual stats in the NCAA top 20:
Team
Passing Offense: 4th, 363 yards per game
Net Punting: 1st, 44.6 yards per punt
Kickoff Returns: 12th, 28.7 yards per return
Individual
Passing Efficiency: Dusty Bonner 8th, 163.2 rating points
Pass Attempts: Dusty Bonner 3rd, 133 attempts
Pass Completions: Dusty Bonner 3rd, 92 completions
Passing Yardage: Dusty Bonner 3rd, 1089 yards
Touchdown Passes: Dusty Bonner 1st, 12 TDs
Total Offense: Dusty Bonner 3rd, 358.3 yards per game
Kickoff Returns: Dougie Allen 12th, 30.3 yards per return
Scoring: James Whalen 18th, 10.7 points per game
Receptions Per Game: James Whalen 10th, 8.3 per game
Field Goals Per Game: Marc Samuel 7th, 2 per game
“Air Raid” Offense
UK’s “Air Raid” offense is being rebuilt following the departure of eightstarters, including the move of starting tight end Jimmy Haley to thedefensive line. … UK’s 1998 offense produced more points and more yardsthan any team in school history.
Offensive Line
All five seniors who handled the majority of playing timelast season have departed … The starting line includes one junior, threesophomores, and a true freshman … The 1999 line now has a total of 21career starts — seven by LT Matt Brown, four by C Nolan Devaughn and RTOmar Smith, and three by LG Kip Sixbery and RG Josh Parrish ? Sixbery isthe youngest starter in Division I-A football, see note on previous pageunder “Young Team.”
Tight Ends
James Whalen, Jr. is enjoying an outstanding season. He hascaught 25 passes for 306 yards and five touchdowns, leading the nation’stight ends in all of those categories. His 8.3 receptions per game ranksecond in the SEC and 10th nationally. He also is tied for the SEC lead inTD catches. Whalen has had 100-yard games this season against Louisvilleand Indiana and has caught at least one TD pass in all three games.
Originally a wide receiver from Oregon, Whalen’s family moved to Kentuckyin 1997. In the summer of ’97, Whalen showed up at Coach Hal Mumme’soffice, junior-college highlight tape in hand, and received an invitationto walk on. Whalen moved to tight end in 1998.
Freshmen Derek Smith and Bobby Blizzard also are seeing playing time ?Another freshman who was seeing action, Chase Harp, has been lost for theseason because of a stress fracture.
Running Backs
Senior Anthony White has gone over the 100-yard mark intwo consecutive games with 119 yards vs. Connecticut and 130 yards atIndiana. It is the first time a Wildcat runner has had consecutive100-yard games since Derick Logan did so in 1996. UK is 5-0 in White’scareer when he rushes for 100 or more yards. White is one of 12 players inNCAA Division I-A history who have more than 1,100 rushing yards and 1,100receiving yards in a career (see chart below).
Sophomore Kendrick Shanklin has played well in limited action ? JuniorDerek Homer, who led the team in rushing a year ago, is backing up White atthe fullback spot and has 37 rushing yards.
Wide Receivers
A less experienced group than a year ago following thedeparture of three seniors, including Craig Yeast, the leading passreceiver in SEC history … The only senior in the current group, JimmyRobinson, sustained a broken arm during the summer and might be lost forthe season … Seven wideouts have caught passes so far ? The leader isjunior Garry Davis, with 13 catches for 179 yards ? Sophomore Dougie Allenhad the best game of his career at Indiana with six catches for 74 yardsand two touchdowns ? Freshman Brad Pyatt has caught nine for 105 yards andgot his first collegiate TD at Indiana ? Quentin McCord has been the bigplay guy among the wide receivers. He has just five catches so far, butthree are for touchdowns and he is averaging 23 yards per catch.
Quarterbacks
The successor to All-American QB Tim Couch is sophomoreDusty Bonner. Bonner has thrown for at least 300 yards and at least threetouchdowns in all three games this season. He leads the nation intouchdown passes (12), is third in total offense, and eighth in passingefficiency … Redshirt freshman Mike Scipione is the backup, followedclosely by junior walk-on Mark Perry.
Anthony White On Elite NCAA List
UK halfback Anthony White is one of only 12 players in Division I-Ahistory who have reached the 1,100-yard mark in rushing and receiving in acareer, according to research by the NCAA.
White has 1,445 rushing yards and 1,141 receiving yards as a Wildcat. Arealistic goal would be the 1,500-yard mark in rushing and receiving. Onlytwo players in I-A history, Stanford’s Darrin Nelson and Brad Muster, havereached the 1,500-yard mark in each category.
Here is the list of 1,100-yard rushers and receivers, in order of yearachieved:
Player Team, Years Rush Rec.Donny Anderson, Texas Tech, 1963-65 2,280 1,347Frank Quayle, Virginia, 1966-68 2,695 1,145Darrin Nelson, Stanford, 1981-84 4,033 1,368Dalton Hilliard, Louisiana State, 1982-85 4,050 1,133Brad Muster, Stanford, 1984-87 2,940 1,669Eric Metcalf, Texas, 1985-88 2,661 1,394Steve Broussard, Washington St., 1986-89 2,915 1,168Chuck Weatherspoon, Houston, 1987-90 3,247 1,375Glyn Milburn, Okla. '88/Stanford 1990-92 2,302 1,495Leon Johnson, North Carolina, 1993-96 3,693 1,288Warrick Dunn, Florida State, 1993-96 3,958 1,314Anthony White, Kentucky, 1996-present 1,449 1,141
“Black Flag” Defense
Coordinator Mike Major calls his unit the “Black Flag” defense. The ideais to give his players the mindset of “never surrender” ? The defense hadan outstanding second half vs. Connecticut, shutting out the Huskies whileallowing just two first downs and 47 total yards ? UK forced four turnoversagainst Indiana, including three in the final quarter to preserve thevictory. UK is 4-0 in the Mumme era when forcing four or more turnovers.
Defensive Line
Senior DT George Massey leads the linemen with 16tackles, including a career-high seven tackles and two sacks vs.Connecticut ? Soph DE Dennis Johnson has 13 tackles, including one sack andtwo tackles for loss ? Senior DE Anwar Stewart sustained a sprained anklein the season opener. Junior Grayson Smith starts in Stewart’s place andhas one sack ? Senior DT Jimmy Haley moved into the starting lineup for theIndiana game.
True freshman William Orr played his first game at DT against Indiana andhad a sack and a tackle for loss ? Junior DE Matt Layow had a big game atIndiana, tackling the punter for a three-yard loss and nabbing aninterception on Indiana’s final possession.
Linebackers
Senior Jeff Snedegar and junior Marlon McCree are tied forthird on the team in tackles with 19. Snedegar moved to OLB in theConnecticut game after starting at MLB in the season opener. He is on theButkus Award watch list for the nation’s top linebacker. McCree leads theteam in fumble recoveries with two ? Sophomore Ryan Murphy moved into thestarting lineup at MLB vs. Connecticut. He leads the team in tackles forloss with three, all coming against the Huskies.
Secondary
SS Willie Gary leads the team in tackles with 25. He had acareer-high 13 vs. Louisville, the fourth double-digit tackle game of hiscareer. He made the first interception of his career with a pickoff atIndiana ? Gary began the season at FS, but moved to SS when David Johnsonwas lost for the season after suffering a broken orbital bone vs.Louisville ? Sophomore Anthony Wajda moved into Gary’s place at FS vs.Connecticut and nabbed his first interception as a Wildcat ? The Wildcatsare thin at cornerback, with juniors Eric Kelly and Kenneth Grant handlingvirtually all of the playing time. Kelly’s interception at Indiana, thefirst of his career, set up Marc Samuel’s game-clinching field goal in thefinal minutes.
A Look at the Specialists
Kickers
Junior Seth Hanson, a two-year starter and preseason All-SECpick by some selectors, has been sidelined by a strained quadriceps muscleand the coaches hope to redshirt him … Sophomore Marc Samuel has beencalled upon in Hanson’s place. He has made 6-of-7 field goal attempts andall 13 extra points. Samuel made a career-best three field goals atIndiana, providing the margin of victory in UK’s 44-35 win. He also made a44-yarder against the Hoosiers that is his longest. Samuel also kicks offfor the Wildcats, see note below for more kickoff info.
Punters
Senior Andy Smith, in his first season as a starter, isaveraging 44.6 yards, a figure that would lead the SEC except that he doesnot have enough punts to qualify for league leadership. Two of his puntsagainst Connecticut were downed on the one- and three-yard lines. UK hasgiven up no return yardage and the Wildcats lead the nation in net puntingwith a mark of 44.6 yards per punt. Smith was the starting punter forWestern Kentucky in 1995 before transferring to UK.
Returners
UK ranks 12th nationally in kickoff returns with an average of28.7 per return ? Dougie Allen leads the way with an average of 30.3 yardsand rates 12th in the country ? Kendrick Shanklin averages 10.2 yards onpunt returns.
Kickoff Analysis
Sophomore Marc Samuel handles kickoffs for Kentucky. Ten of his 16 “deep”kickoffs have gone for touchbacks. His other five kickoffs include threesquib kicks, one pop-up, and one onside.
Block That Kick!
During the three seasons that Coach Mike Major has been in charge of theKentucky defense, the Wildcats have blocked seven opponent kicks, includingfive field goals, one extra point, and one punt. Here’s the list:
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)
Preseason Honors for the Wildcats
LB Jeff Snedegar first-team All-SEC by Athlon
HB Anthony White first-team All-SEC by Lindy’s
K Seth Hanson first-team All-SEC by The Sporting News and Preview Sports
DE Dennis Johnson first-team All-America by College Football News.com,first-team All-SEC by Street and Smith’s, and second-team All-SEC by TheSporting News
Post-Season National Award Watch
Jeff Snedegar is on the watch list for the Dick Butkus Award, which goesto the nation’s top linebacker.
Anthony White is on the watch list for the Doak Walker Award, which goesto the nation’s top running back.
Numbers Here, Numbers There
Here are some various career statistical superlatives among currentplayers, including regular-season games only.
Most Games Played: 36 by Gordon Crowe
Most Games Started: 25 by Jeff Snedegar
100-Yard Rushing Games: 5 by Anthony White, 4 by Derek Homer
100-Yard Receiving Games: 2 by James Whalen, 1 by Jimmy Robinson, 1 byAnthony White
Games With Double-Figure Tackles: 7 by Jeff Snedegar, 4 by Willie Gary
Consecutive Games With at Least One Pass Reception: 25 by Anthony White
Scoring in the Blue Zone (20-and-in)
Kentucky: Converted 16 of 17 opportunities for 93 points (11 touchdowns,five field goals, one held on downs). Opponents: Converted 10 of 12 opportunities for 70 points (10 touchdowns,one fumble, one end of game).
Head Coach Hal Mumme Hal Mumme (Tarleton State, 1975) has a 14-12 record in his third season ashead coach of the Wildcats. Mumme was the first UK coach to have a winningrecord in his first two seasons since Blanton Collier in 1954-55. He wasvoted 1997 GTE Region 2 Coach of the Year by his peers in the AmericanFootball Coaches Association. He is in his 11th season as a collegiatehead coach and has a career record of 79-39-1 (.668).
Mumme had a 40-17-1 mark from 1992-96 at valdosta State, where he took theBlazers to the NCAA Division II national playoffs in 1994 and 1996. He wasnamed 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 GulfSouth Conference Coach of the Year.
Mumme had a 25-10 record from 1989-91 at Iowa Wesleyan College. He tookhis team to the Steamboat Classic bowl game in 1989 and ’90 and to the NAIAnational playoffs in 1991. He was named the NAIA District Coach of theYear in 1989 and 1991.
“Mummeball”
New UK coach Hal Mumme is known for his unconventional ways. Here aresome examples of his off-the-beaten-path approach:v Throwing the football: Mumme’s offensive goal is to throw the ball to setup the run. His run-pass ratio at UK in 1997 was 36 percent run and 64percent pass. In 1998, the ratio was 37 percent run and 63 percent pass.This season the ratio is 45 percent run and 55 percent pass.
Taking risks: See the note below for fourth-down analysis.
Limited hitting in practice: The Wildcats had four scrimmages in thespring and none in August. Otherwise, hitting in practice is limited towork on technique, there is no 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’regoing to play on Saturday?”
“Mummeball is more classroom than battlefield,” wrote John Clay of theLexington Herald-Leader. “The head coach is not a Schwarzkopf but analchemist, busy turning ordinary metals into gold.”
The approach paid off with fewer injuries in 1997, when only four playersmissed games because of injury. Seven players missed at least one game viainjury in 1998. By comparison, a total of 18 players missed games becauseof injury in 1996 under a conventional practice system.
Open practices: All practices are open to fans and media. “I think theguys like crowds,” Mumme says. ” I know when I was playing I liked toperform in front of crowds. I think it makes them practice better.”
As for the fear of having his plays stolen, Mumme replies,”There aren’t many secrets anymore. Everybody pretty much knows whateverybody is doing.”
Punting the ball out of bounds: UK’s punts are designed to go near thesideline or out of bounds. The strategy improved Kentucky’s net puntingfrom 32.7 yards per punt in 1996 to 37 yards per punt in 1997. In 1998,Kentucky was fifth in the SEC in net punting with 37.4 net yards per punt.Currently, the Wildcats lead the nation in net punting with 44.6 yards perpunt.
Playing true freshmen: Mumme believes in playing true freshmen. Fifteenof Kentucky’s 25 players in the 1998 signing class saw action last season.
Junior varsity team: Mumme continues to field a junior varsity team againthis season. See below for a story on the jayvee squad.
Fourth-Down Analysis
In 1999, Kentucky has made 8-of-13 on fourth-down conversions, includingtwo-of-two on fake punts. The eight successes eventually have led to threetouchdowns and two field goals. The five missed conversions have resultedin three touchdowns on the ensuing opponent possessions.
In 1998 (including the Outback Bowl), Kentucky made 17 of 39 onfourth-down conversions, including three of four on fake punts. The 17successes eventually led to nine touchdowns and two field goals. The 22missed conversions resulted in five touchdowns and two field goals on theensuing opponent possessions.
In 1997, Kentucky made 21 of 38 on fourth down. The 21 successeseventually resulted in 15 touchdowns and no field goals for the Wildcats.The 17 missed conversions resulted in five touchdowns and no field goals onthe ensuing opponent possessions.
UK Football History
The Kentucky Wildcats are in their 109th season of intercollegiatefootball. The first Southeastern Conference school to introduce football(1881), Kentucky has an all-time record of 513-483-44 (.514).
Kentucky has two SEC championships, 1950 and 1976. The Wildcats have beento nine bowl games, most recently the 1999 Outback Bowl. Kentucky’shighest in-season national ranking is third, by The Associated Press, onNov. 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 varsityteam. The team is comprised primarily of walk-ons, in addition to a fewscholarship players who are not being redshirted.
The 1999 jayvee team is coached by graduate assistant/tight ends coach SonnyDykes. Dykes will be assisted by graduate assistant Rob Manchester andstudent coach Randy Garver.
Here is the 1999 jayvee schedule: Mon. Sept. 13 Maryville W, 45-0Thu. Sept. 23 at Georgetown 7:00Thu. Oct. 7 Hargrave Military Acad. 7:00Mon. Oct. 18 Georgetown 5:00Mon. Oct. 25 at Campbellsville 3:00
Catscellaneous
Team captains for 1999 on offense are QB Dusty Bonner and HB AnthonyWhite. Defensive captains include DT George Massey, LB Marlon McCree, LBJeff Snedegar, and DE Anwar Stewart.
Kentucky is in its 26th season in Commonwealth Stadium. The Wildcatshave a record of 91-69-4 (.567) in Commonwealth since the stadium opened in1973. Kentucky is 9-5 at home under Mumme.
UK has led or tied for the league lead in most players on the SECAcademic Honor Roll in 10 of the last 15 years.
Six current players are walk-ons who were awarded full scholarships – TECheddi Acham, WR Garry Davis, FB A. J. Simon, P Andy Smith, DE GraysonSmith, and TE James Whalen.
The Kentucky cheerleaders won an unprecedented ninth nationalchampionship at the 1999 Universal Cheerleaders Association competition inJanuary. The Wildcats cheerleaders have won the last five national titles- 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999.
