Freshmen Practiced Wednesday Morning
The Kentucky football freshmen held their second practice Wednesday morning with a one and one-half hour workout at Nutter Training Center.
Asked about his early impressions of the freshmen, recruiting coordinator Claude Bassett said, “Patience is the biggest thing this group has to work on. It’s a good group of kids and they are eager to make an impression.” Bassett also coaches the Wildcats’ kickers and punters and must replace both starters from last season. Bassett has a scholarship kicker, Clint Ruth, and three walk-ons – Kyle McDaniel, Sevin Sucurovic, and Anthony Thornton — among the freshmen.
“Clint Ruth has a good chance to make a contribution this fall,” Bassett said. “Our walk-ons have shown some good things, too. They’ll get a chance to kick for the junior varsity team if they don’t win one of the varsity jobs.”
The freshmen are scheduled for another practice Wednesday at 3 p.m. That practice will be the last workout for the freshmen by themselves. The veterans report Wednesday afternoon. The first practices with the entire team are set for Friday at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. No practices are scheduled for Thursday because of Media Day.
Claiborne Hall of Fame Enshrinement on August 11
Former Wildcat player, assistant coach, and head coach Jerry Claiborne will be enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame on Friday, August 11, in South Bend, Ind.
Activities slated for the Enshrinement Weekend on Aug. 11-12 include a golf outing, reception, enshrinement banquet, and fan festival. Coach Claiborne will be unable to attend. Claiborne’s son, Jonathan, will make the acceptance speech on behalf of his father.
Claiborne played at UK from 1946-49 and was an assistant coach under Paul “Bear” Bryant in 1952-53. In 28 seasons as a head coach at Virginia Tech, Maryland, and Kentucky, Claiborne posted a 179-122-8 record. He was head coach of the Wildcats from 1982-89.
Fans’ Day Set for August 13
The annual UK football Fans’ Day is scheduled for Sunday, August 13. The event begins at 3 p.m., with free hot dogs and drinks given to the first 2,000 fans. Posters and schedule cards will be given away. The 2000 UK football media guides will be on sale for $10 each.
There will be games and activities for the children from 3-4 p.m. in the Nutter Field House. The players and coaching staff will be available for autographs and photos from 4-5 p.m. in Commonwealth Stadium.
Kentucky Football Calendar:
Aug. 9 Freshmen practice, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; veterans report
Aug. 10 UK Football Media Day (not open to the public), 10 a.m. to noon, Commonwealth Stadium
Aug. 11 First team practice, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Aug. 12 Practice, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Aug. 13 Fans’ Day
Aug. 23 Classes begin
Sept. 2 Season opener at Louisville
2000 Schedule
All times Eastern and subject to change if selected for network television.
Sept. 2 at Louisville 7:00
Sept. 9 South Florida 1:30
Sept. 16 Indiana (ESPN2) 6:00
Sept. 23 at Florida (CBS) 3:30
Sept. 30 at Mississippi 7:00
Oct. 7 South Carolina 7:00
Oct. 14 at Louisiana State 8:00
Oct. 21 Georgia 7:00
Oct. 28 open
Nov. 4 Mississippi State 1:30
Nov. 11 Vanderbilt 1:30
Nov. 18 at Tennessee TBA
