Next Game:
Miss. State (4-2, 2-2) at Kentucky (2-6, 0-5)
Nov. 4, 2000, 1:30 p.m. EST
Commonwealth Stadium, cap. 67,530
Wildcats Headlines
Wildcats have open date before taking on Mississippi State for the UK Homecoming game
UK is second in the nation in passing offense, 13th in total offense
UK defense is 15th in the nation in fumbles recovered, third in the SEC in quarterback sacks
On the Tube
Live: No live network TV.
Delay: The UK TV Network will carry the game. Rob Bromley calls the play-by-play, with Bill Ransdell handling analysis and Dick Gabriel providing reports from the sidelines. Viewers should check their local listings for time and channel.
Ticket Info
Less than 100 tickets are available as of Mon. Oct. 23, however that could change depending on the UK student ticket pickup this week. The ticket situation will be updated on Thurs. Oct. 26.
Tickets may be purchased from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Memorial Coliseum Ticket Office. Tickets may be charged on credit cards by calling (859) 257-1818 or 1-800-928-CATS. Tickets also may be ordered on UK’s internet site, ukathletics.com.
On the Radio
The University of Kentucky Football Radio Network will carry the broadcast on approximately 80 stations. The network includes new flagship stations WLAP (630 AM) and WBUL (98.1 FM) in Lexington and 50,000-watt stations WHAS (840 AM) and WSAI (1530 AM).
Tom Leach calls the play-by-play for the Wildcats. Former Wildcat star Jeff Van Note is the analyst and Dick Gabriel is the sideline reporter.
The broadcast also can be heard around the world through the internet at ukathletics.com.
Kentucky Results and Schedule (2-6, 0-5 SEC)Sept. 2 Louisville 40, UK 34 (A, OT) Sept. 9 UK 27, South Florida 9 (H)Sept. 16 UK 41, Indiana 34 (H)Sept. 23 Florida 59, UK 31 (A)Sept. 30 Mississippi 35, UK 17 (A)Oct. 7 South Carolina 20, UK 17 (H)Oct. 14 Louisiana State 34, UK 0 (A)Oct. 21 Georgia 34, UK 30 (H)Oct. 28 openNov. 4 Mississippi State (Homecoming), 1:30 p.m.Nov. 11 Vanderbilt, 1:30 p.m.Nov. 18 at Tennessee, time TBA(all times Eastern and subject to change)MSU Results and Schedule (4-2, 2-2 SEC)Sept. 2 MSU 17, Memphis 3 (A)Sept. 9 openSept. 14 MSU 44, Brigham Young 28 (A)Sept. 23 South Carolina 23, MSU 19 (A)Sept. 30 MSU 47, Florida 35 (H)Oct. 7 MSU 17, Auburn 10 (H)Oct. 14 openOct. 21 LSU 45, MSU 38 (OT-A)Oct. 28 Middle TennesseeNov. 4 at KentuckyNov. 11 AlabamaNov. 18 ArkansasNov. 23 at Mississippi
The Series
Overall: UK leads 16-11
Current Streak: MSU has won one
First Meeting: 1914, UK 19-13 in Lexington
Last Meeting: 1999, MSU 23-22 in Starkville
Last UK Win: 1998, 37-35 in Lexington
In Lexington: UK leads 11-3
Series Notes: UK’s lead in the series comes on the strength of an eight-game win streak from 1958-90 … The teams have met annually since 1990, with MSU leading 6-4 since that time.
How Experienced are the Tentative Starters?Sr. Jr. Soph. RFr. Fr.UK 7 3 7 1 4MSU 10 8 4 0 0
Mississippi State Ties
Guy Morriss, Kentucky’s assistant head coach and offensive line coach, coached the offensive line at Mississippi State under Coach Jackie Sherrill in 1996.
Last Year vs. Mississippi State
Scott Westerfield’s 45-yard field goal with five seconds to play lifted undefeated Mississippi State to a 23-22 win over Kentucky in a Thursday night ESPN game in Starkville.
MSU got on the board first to take a 7-0 lead, but the Wildcats stormed back with three consecutive touchdowns. KendrickShanklin caught his first career TD pass, then, following a blocked punt by Dennis Johnson, Dusty Bonner bulled over from theone-yard line. Anthony White gave UK a 19-7 lead with a six-yard run.
UK still led, 22-20, when MSU took over on its own 20 with 1:30 remaining in the game. The Bulldogs drove to the Kentucky28, setting up Westerfield’s game-winner.
The game was a defensive struggle for much of the night. MSU gained 334 yards total offense, highlighted by WR Kelvin Love,who caught six passes for 147 yards.
UK was held to 176 yards the lowest output of the Hal Mumme era. Bonner completed 28 of 44 passes for 189 yards andone touchdown. His favorite target was TE James Whalen, who grabbed 11 passes for 99 yards. In the process, Whalen broke theNCAA single-season record for receptions by a tight end.
The Kentucky defensive effort was led by linebacker Jeff Snedegar, who made 14 tackles, including two quarterback sacks.
Injury Report
OT Matt Brown (disl. shoulder) questionable
DE Dennis Johnson (ankle) out indefinitely
LB Jed Bassett (knee) out for the season
C Nolan DeVaughn (knee) out for the season
UK at Homecoming
Kentucky’s first Homecoming Day occurred on Nov. 25, 1915, as Kentucky defeated Tennessee, 6-0. Subsequent recordsare sketchy, but Kentucky has held a Homecoming game every year since 1946 and owns a 42-12-0 record in those 54 contests.
The Wildcats have won five consecutive Homecoming games, dating back to a loss against Mississippi State in 1994. UK is2-2 against MSU as a Homecoming opponent.
UK vs. Ranked Opponents
Over the years, Kentucky has played 182 games against teams ranked in the AP Top 20/25 poll. The Wildcats have a35-142-5 record against ranked foes. UK is 1-3 against MSU when the Bulldogs are ranked.
New Defenses Helping Against the Run
Beginning with the Mississippi game on Sept. 30, the UK defense has used a five-man front, playing a “5-2” or “5-3” alignment,replacing the “4-3” scheme that had been used.
The Wildcats used a “5-2” lineup against Mississippi and South Carolina and went with the “5-3” in the last two games.
The change has helped UK improve its run defense. In the first four games, opponents averaged 185.5 rushing yards per gameand averaged 4.6 yards per carry. Since implementing the five-man front, the Wildcats have allowed 122.5 rushing yards per gameand 3.4 yards per carry.
The Wildcats also have gotten more efficient against the run in each succeeding game allowing 179 yards at Mississippi, 159vs. South Carolina, 114 at LSU, and only 38 yards vs. Georgia.
UK on Pace to Break Team TFL Record
The Kentucky defense is on a record pace to break the school record for total tackles for loss in a season.
The Wildcats have 68 tackles for loss in eight games this season, an average of 8.5 per game. If they continue at the samepace, they will break the mark of 88 total TFL (an average of 8.0 per game) set in 1998.
McCree, Robertson, Layow Among SEC Leaders
Linebacker Marlon McCree, defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, and defensive end Matt Layow are among theSoutheastern Conference defensive leaders.
McCree leads the SEC in tackles for loss with 14. Robertson is second with 12.5 tackles for loss. Layow is tied for third with11.5 TFL, along with Anthony Sessions of Tennessee.
McCree is third in the league in quarterback sacks with 5.5. Jarret Johnson of Alabama and John Henderson lead the SECwith six sacks each. Tied for third with McCree, at 5.5 sacks each, are Derrick Burgess of Mississippi and Matt Stewart ofVanderbilt.
Lorenzen Spreading the Wealth
Redshirt freshman quarterback Jared Lorenzen has done a good job of diversifying his receivers this season. Lorenzen hascompleted passes to at least 10 different receivers in seven of the eight games this season.
Lorenzen Breaks SEC Freshman Passing Record, Two School Records vs. Georgia
Freshman quarterback Jared Lorenzen needed only eight games to break the SEC freshman passing yardage record.
Lorenzen’s 528 passing yards against Georgia gave him 2,710 this season, eclipsing the SEC record of 2,484 yards by QuincyCarter of Georgia in 1998.
Lorenzen’s 528 passing yards broke the single-game school record of 499 yards by Tim Couch at Arkansas in 1998. Lorenzen also had 525 yards total offense vs. Georgia, breaking Couch’s single-game school mark of 498 yards at Louisville in1998.
Kelly Ties Pass Breakup Record
Senior cornerback Eric Kelly has tied the school’s career record for pass breakups. Kelly leads the team with six PBU thisseason, giving him 25 for his career tying Van Hiles’ mark of 25.
Here is the UK career list for pass breakups. Player, Years Pass Breakups1. Van Hiles, 1993-96 25 Eric Kelly, 1997-2000 253. Brad Armstead, 1989-92 21 Gary Willis, 1989-91 21Kelly and Willis also share UK's single-season PBU record of 13, which Kelly tied last season.
UK Remembers Claiborne The University of Kentucky football program is honoring the memory of Jerry Claiborne, former student-athlete, assistantcoach, and head coach of the Wildcats, who died on Sept. 24.
First, the Commonwealth Stadium flag was flown at half-mast through Sept. 28, the date of Claiborne’s funeral. And, since thegames of Sept. 30, the UK helmets featured football-shaped black stickers with the initials “JDC.”
Claiborne played at Kentucky from 1946-49 as a defensive back, end, and blocking back. He still holds UK’s single-seasonrecord for interceptions with nine. He was an assistant coach under Paul “Bear” Bryant.
In 1982, with the program struggling because of NCAA probation and off-the field problems, Claiborne returned to his almamater. He led the Wildcats to the 1983 and 1984 Hall of Fame Bowls and restored the integrity of the program on every front.
Claiborne retired from coaching following the 1989 season, but stayed involved at UK by helping raise the funds for the NutterField House, which opened in 1993.
Wildcats in the SEC Stats
Team and individual stats in the top three in the SEC:
Team
Passing Offense: 1st, 338.8 yards per game
Total Offense: 1st, 438.9 yards per game
PAT Kicking: T1st, 100 percent
Quarterback Sacks: 3rd, 20 sacks
First Downs: 1st, 173 first downs
Individual
Passing Yardage: Jared Lorenzen 1st, 338.8 yards per game
Total Offense: Jared Lorenzen 1st, 346.9 yards per game
PAT Percentage: Seth Hanson, T1st, 100 percent
FG Percentage: Seth Hanson 2nd, 90.9 percent
Wildcats in the NCAA Stats
Team and individual stats in the NCAA top 25:
Team
Passing Offense: 2nd, 338.8 yards per game
Total Offense: 13th, 438.9 yards per game
Fumble Recoveries: T15th, 10 recoveries
Individual
Pass Attempts: Jared Lorenzen 1st, 405 attempts
Comp. Per Game: Jared Lorenzen 1st, 30.1 comp. per gm.
Passing Yardage: Jared Lorenzen 2nd, 2710 yards
Touchdown Passes: Jared Lorenzen T11th, 14 TD passes
Total Offense: Jared Lorenzen 2nd, 346.9 yards per game
Points Responsible For: Jared Lorenzen t15th, 14.5 points responsible per game
Running Game More Effective
Kentucky’s running game is showing improved effectiveness this season.
The Wildcats are averaging 100.1 yards per game in the 2000 campaign, up from 75 yards per game last season. Even moreimportant is the fact that UK fullbacks Chad Scott and Artose Pinner the primary ballcarriers are averaging 4.6 and 4.8 yards percarry, respectively.
Offensive Line Growing
UK’s offensive line, with only one senior starter, has been an improved unit this year.
As mentioned in the previous note, rushing yardage is up from 75 yards per game to 100.1 yards per game so far this season.
Pass protection has gotten better as well. UK has allowed just 14 quarterback sacks in 421 passing plays this season a sackprevention ratio of 96.7 percent. Kentucky allowed 52 sacks last season.
Homer Looking to Move Up Charts; McCord Joins Century Club
Senior halfback Derek Homer ranks 11th in school history with 1,639 rushing yards. He needs 26 yards to eclipse BillLeskovar (1,664) and reach the top 10.
Homer also has 121 career pass receptions and is third on the UK receiving list. Senior wide receiver Quentin McCord hasjoined the century club with 100 catches.
Here is the UK career receiving chart:
Player, Years Receptions1. Craig Yeast, 1995-98 2082. Anthony White, 1996-99 1943. Derek Homer, 1997-2000 1214. James Whalen, 1997-99 1205. Kevin Coleman, 1995-98 1076. Quentin McCord, 1996-2000 100
Starting Em Young
Coach Hal Mumme isn’t afraid to play true freshmen immediately. In fact, Mumme has started at least one true freshman in theseason opener each season at Kentucky.
In 1997, running back Derek Homer and safety Willie Gary started their first games as Wildcats. In ’98, safety David Johnsongot the starting call in the opener. Last season, guard Kip Sixbery started the opener.
This year, freshman defensive tackles Jeremy Caudill and Dewayne Robertson and offensive tackle Antonio Hall have startedevery game.
Another true freshman has joined the lineup as running back Chad Scott has started four games.
A Note About the Defensive Statistics
There has been a change in how the Southeastern Conference is listing tackles for loss this season. The stat column “tackles forloss” combines tackles for loss on running plays and quarterback sacks. In previous seasons, the tackles for loss column did notinclude QB sacks.
Block That Kick!
During the four seasons that Coach Mike Major has been in charge of the Kentucky defense, the Wildcats have blocked 11opponent kicks, including eight field goals, two punts, and one extra point. Here’s the list, with current Wildcats underlined:
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)
1999, Arkansas field goal (Dennis Johnson)
1999, Mississippi State punt (Dennis Johnson)
1999, Syracuse field goal (Dennis Johnson)
1999, Syracuse field goal (Jamal White)
Checking the Defensive Progress
The Kentucky defense has shown improvement each season since Coach Hal Mumme and defensive coordinator Mike Majortook over in 1997. Here’s a chart of the progress:
1997 1998 1999 Yards Per Game Allowed 392.3 386.1 373.7 Points Per Game Allowed 32.9 30.9 29.4Turnovers Gained 20 16 31
Defense Scoring, Too
During the four seasons that Coach Mike Major has been in charge of the Kentucky defense, the defensive Cats have scored10 times, including seven touchdowns, two safeties, and a two-point defensive PAT after a blocked extra point kick.
The UK defense has scored twice this season, Marlon McCree’s nine-yard fumble return at Louisville and Matt Layow’s21-yard game-winning fumble return vs. Indiana.
Charting the Tendencies
Here are some tendencies that have generated success for the Wildcats in the four seasons under Coach Hal Mumme.
Kentucky’s record when:
UK scores 40+ points: 9-0
UK scores 30+ points: 17-6
Opp. scores less than 30 points: 14-7
UK loses 0 or 1 turnover: 10-1
UK is plus or even in turnover margin: 14-4
UK creates four or more turnovers: 6-2
UK rushes for more yards than opponent: 11-4
UK holds opp. to 100 or fewer rushing yards: 10-2
Scoring in the Blue Zone (20-and-in)
Kentucky: Converted 23 of 27 opportunities for 124 points (14 touchdowns, nine fieldgoals, one turnover, one lost on downs, one blocked field goal, one punt).
Opponents: Converted 30 of 36 opportunities for 169 points (20 touchdowns, 10 field goals, two turnovers, two held ondowns, two missed field goals).
Numbers Here, Numbers There
Here are some career statistical superlatives among current players, including regular-season games only.
Most Games Played: 41 by Aaron Daniel, Derek Homer, Marlon McCree
Most Games Started: 31 by Willie Gary
100-Yard Rushing Games: 4 by Derek Homer, 1 by Chad Scott, 1 by Artose Pinner
100-Yard Receiving Games: 3 by Quentin McCord, 1 by Jimmy Robinson, 1 by Kendrick Shanklin, 1 by Derek Smith
Games With Double-Figure Tackles: 6 by Willie Gary, 4 by Marlon McCree, 2 by Ryan Murphy, 1 by David Johnson
Charting the Nailbiters
Under Coach Hal Mumme, UK has a 7-7 record in “nailbiter” games, i.e., games decided by seven points or less. TheWildcats are 1-3 in nailbiters this season.
In overtime, UK is 1-1 under Mumme, a 40-34 home win over Alabama in 1997 and a 40-34 setback at Louisville to open thisseason.
Honoring the Wildcats in 2000
Center Nolan DeVaughn was chosen for the All-America Farm Team sponsored by Successful Farming magazine.
QB Jared Lorenzen was named the SEC Player of the Week by USA Today following the Louisville game.
DE Matt Layow was chosen for the National Good Works Team by the American Football Coaches Association. Layow was one of only 11 players from Division I-A who were honored for their community service.
WR Jimmy Robinson was named to the Southeastern Conference Good Works Team in recognition of his community service.
Freshman DT Jeremy Caudill was one of only four players chosen for the National High School Scholar-Athlete Award as selected by the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame.
Long snapper Coleman Barnes, WR Mike Beirne, and WR Neal Brown have earned nominations for the Verizon Academic All-America Team.
Head Coach Hal Mumme
Hal Mumme (Tarleton State, 1975) has a 20-23 record in his fourth season as head coach of the Wildcats. Mumme was thefirst UK coach to have a winning record in his first three seasons since Blanton Collier in 1954-56. Along with Paul “Bear” Bryantand Jerry Claiborne both of whom are in the College Football Hall of Fame Mumme is one of three coaches who has takenKentucky to consecutive bowl games. He was voted 1997 GTE Region 2 Coach of the Year by his peers in the American FootballCoaches Association and named the 1999 South/Southwest Coach of the Year by Football News. He is in his 12th season as acollegiate head coach and has a record of 85-50-1 (.628).
Mumme had a 40-17-1 mark from 1992-96 at Valdosta State, where he took the Blazers to the NCAA Division II nationalplayoffs in 1994 and 1996. He was named 1994 Georgia Coach of the Year by the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, the 1996 GTERegion 2 Coach of the Year by the AFCA, and the 1996 Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year when the Blazers won theleague title.
Mumme had a 25-10 record from 1989-91 at Iowa Wesleyan College. He took his team to the Steamboat Classic bowl gamein 1989 and ’90 and to the NAIA national playoffs in 1991. He was named the NAIA District Coach of the Year in 1989 and1991.
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Mumme is receiving plenty of compliments, as two of his former assistantcoaches Mike Leach (Texas Tech) and Chris Hatcher (Valdosta State) have been hired as head coaches with the hope ofduplicating the success of his system.
“Mummeball”
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 was36 percent run and 64 percent pass. In 1998, the ratio was 37 percent run and 63 percent pass. In 1999 the ratio was 44 percentrun and 56 percent pass.
Taking risks: See the note later on this page for fourth-down analysis.
Limited hitting in practice: The Wildcats had four scrimmages in the spring and none in August. The Wildcats do some livetackling work in practice, but there is no scrimmaging.
“We’re not going to get anybody hurt if we can help it,” Mumme says. “Why get hurt during the week when you’re going to play on Saturday?”
“Mummeball is more classroom than battlefield,” wrote John Clay of the Lexington Herald-Leader in 1997. “The head coachis not a Schwarzkopf but an alchemist, busy turning ordinary metals into gold.”
The approach paid off with fewer injuries in 1997, when only four players on the two-deep depth chart missed games becauseof injury. Seven players missed at least one game via injury in 1998 and 11 in 1999. By comparison, a total of 18 players missedgames because of injury in 1996 under a conventional practice system.
Punting the ball out of bounds: UK’s punts are designed to go near the sideline or out of bounds. The strategy improvedKentucky’s net punting from 32.7 yards per punt in 1996 to 37 yards per punt in 1997. In 1998, Kentucky improved to 37.4 netyards per punt. The Wildcats set a school record last season with 39.92 net yards per punt.
Playing true freshmen: Mumme believes in playing true freshmen. In his first three seasons at UK, 62 percent of his truefreshmen played in their first season.
Junior varsity team: Mumme continues to field a junior varsity team again this season. See the next column for a story on theJV squad.
Fourth-Down Analysis
In four seasons under Hal Mumme, UK has “gone for it” on fourth down 132 times and made it 65 times.
The 65 successes have helped lead to 34 touchdowns and six field goals for Kentucky. The 67 missed attempts have resultedin 20 touchdowns and three field goals on the ensuing opponent possessions.
Kentucky has made 9 of 14 fake punts under Mumme.
The Wildcats have made 12 of 23 fourth-down attempts this season.
UK Football History
The Kentucky Wildcats are in their 110th season of intercollegiate football. The first Southeastern Conference school tointroduce football (1881), Kentucky has an all-time record of 519-494-44 (.512).
Kentucky has two SEC championships, 1950 and 1976. The Wildcats have been to nine bowl games, including the last twoseasons. Kentucky’s highest in-season national ranking is third, by The Associated Press, on Nov. 20, 1950. UK’s highest finalranking is sixth in the AP poll in 1977.
Junior Varsity Team Returns
One of Coach Hal Mumme’s innovations in 1997 was the start of a junior varsity team. The team is comprised primarily ofwalk-ons, in addition to a few scholarship players who are not being redshirted.
The 2000 team is coached by graduate assistants Rob Manchester and John Schlarman and student coaches Randy Garver andTramaine Gaines. Manchester is head coach and defensive coordinator and Schlarman is the offensive coordinator.
Here is the 2000 JV results and schedule:
Mon. Sept. 18 Georgetown 42, UKJV 13 (A)
Mon. Sept. 25 Campbellsville postponed, weather
Mon. Oct. 2 Georgetown 38, UKJV 14 (H)
Mon. Oct. 9 at Eastern Kentucky cancelled
Mon. Oct. 16 UKJV 21, St. Francis 17 (H)
Thurs. Oct. 26 Hargrave Military Acad. 6:00
Mon. Oct. 30 Campbellsville, 6:00
Thurs. Nov. 9 at Pikeville College Club, 7:00
Catscellaneous
Team captains for 2000 on offense are HB Derek Homer, WR Quentin McCord, WR Jimmy Robinson, and OT Omar Smith. Defensive captains include DB Willie Gary, CB Eric Kelly, LB Marlon McCree, and DT Grayson Smith.
Kentucky is in its 28th season in Commonwealth Stadium. The Wildcats have a record of 95-73-4 (.561) in Commonwealthsince the stadium opened in 1973. Kentucky is 13-9 (.591) at home under Coach Hal Mumme.
UK has led or tied for the league lead in most players on the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 10 of the last 16 years.
Six current players are walk-ons who were awarded full scholarships WR Neal Brown, WR Alex Herman, WR Gary Hughes,QB Mark Perry, DE Grayson Smith and SS Patrick Wiggins. Mumme has awarded 17 scholarships to walk-ons while at UK.
The Kentucky cheerleaders won an unprecedented 10th national championship at the 2000 Universal CheerleadersAssociation competition in January. The Wildcats cheerleaders have won the last six national titles – 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999,and 2000.
Wildcats on the Web
Visit the official University of Kentucky Athletics web site at www.ukathletics.com.
The official Southeastern Conference web site is www.secsports.com.
Position-by-Position with the Wildcats
Offense
Kentucky is second in the nation in passing offense, 338.8 yards per game, and 13th nationally in total offense, 438.9 yards per game … UK leads the SEC in both categories … UK has led the SEC in passing offense all three previous seasons under Coach Hal Mumme … The Wildcats are coming off a 620-yard performance against Georgia, which had come into the game leading the SEC in total defense, allowing just 268 yards per game.
Offensive Line
The offensive line has made progress since last season … Rushing yardage is up 25 yards per game … The Wildcats allowed52 quarterback sacks last season, but only 14 so far this year … The Wildcats have a sack prevention ratio of 96.7 percent,fourth-best in the SEC.
Matt Brown Starting left tackle has had injury problems this season … Sustained a sprained ankle against Louisville …Missed the South Florida game, breaking a string of 15 consecutive regular-season starts … Returned for the Indiana game …Dislocated his shoulder at Mississippi and has missed three more games … Hopes to return for the Mississippi State game … Didnot begin playing football until his sophomore year of high school … Hobby is working on vintage cars.
Keith Chatelain Took over at center when Nolan DeVaughn was lost for the season with a knee injury in the Louisville game… Has started the last seven games … Has handled the shotgun snap well.
Aaron Daniel Fifth-year senior who is the utility reserve in the offensive line … Can play center or either guard position.
Nolan DeVaughn UK’s starting center suffered a knee injury in the Louisville game and is lost for the season.
Antonio Hall True freshman has started every game at right tackle … One of the nation’s most highly sought linemanprospects a year ago … Has excellent musical aptitude, plays the piano, and is a gifted singer.
Josh Parrish Has started six games, twice at left guard and four games at right guard … Played every offensive snap of the1999 season at right guard.
Kip Sixbery Has started six games at left guard … Played every down of the 1999 season at left guard, and at the age of 17was the youngest full-time starter in Division I-A football.
Omar Smith UK’s only senior starter in the offensive line … Moved from right tackle to right guard for the 2000 season and iswell-regarded as a pro prospect … Hoped to play only at right guard this season, but injury problems have required him to fill in atboth tackle slots as well … Played left tackle vs. South Florida while Matt Brown was out with an injury and has returned to left tackle since the Mississippi game as long as Brown is out with his dislocatedshoulder … Played every down of the 1999 season at right tackle … One of four Wildcats who have graduated already and has hisdegree in social work.
Tight Ends
Chase Harp Reserve tight end has 11 catches for 134 yards, including a long of 35 yards vs. Indiana … Missed theMississippi and South Carolina games because of a sprained ankle … Came to UK as a quarterback and moved to tight end in thespring of 1999.
Derek Smith Starting tight end is the team’s leading receiver with 35 catches for 508 yards and four TDs … Ranks fifth in theSEC with 4.4 receptions per game … Caught five passes for 108 yards vs. Georgia, his first 100-yard game … Had an 89-yardplay against Georgia that is the third longest pass play in school history … Had a career-high eight catches at Florida.
Wide Receivers
Derek Abney Shares the “X” receiver position with Quentin McCord … Has 30 catches for 331 yards and three TDs …Best game came vs. South Florida with five catches for 62 yards and two TDs … Longest play this season was a 50-yard TD atMississippi … Wears uniform No. 12 in honor of his childhood best friend, Ezra Hartinger, who died when they were in seventhgrade.
Dougie Allen Starting “Z” receiver has made a remarkable recovery from the knee injury and reconstructive surgery thatoccurred in Oct. 1999 … Has 19 catches for 254 yards and two TDs … Missed the Mississippi game because of a strainedhamstring.
Bobby Blizzard Starting “H” receiver has caught 21 passes for 176 yards … Has worked hard to lose approximately 20pounds and improve his conditioning since arriving at UK in Jan. 1999.
Neal Brown Reserve “Z” receiver has caught five passes for 19 yards … Got his first collegiate touchdown on a two-yardcatch against South Carolina … Has earned a nomination for the Academic All-America team.
Anthony Kelly Reserve receiver has six catches for 46 yards … Also does a great job covering punts and has six tackles thisseason.
Quentin McCord Shares the “X” position with Derek Abney … Has been a big-play receiver for the Wildcats with 33receptions for 581 yards and three TDs, averaging 17.6 yards per catch … Has five plays of 45 yards or more this season and three100-yard games … Set career highs with seven catches for 126 yards vs. Georgia … Has 100 career receptions, the sixth player inschool history to reach the century mark.
Jimmy Robinson Playing in a rare sixth year to complete his eligibility, as he missed the 1996 and 1999 seasons because ofinjuries … Has one reception for five yards … Missed the Mississippi and South Carolina games because of a strained hamstring,but returned for LSU … One of four Wildcats who have graduated already and has diploma in the field of social work … Named tothe SEC Good Works Team in honor of his community service.
Running Backs
Derek Homer Starts at halfback but also sees action at fullback … Has gained 89 rushing yards … Ranks 11th in schoolhistory with 1,639 rushing yards … Third on the team in receptions with 30 for 264 yards … Has 121 pass receptions in his career,ranking third in school history … Coaches also have lauded his excellent blocking.
Martez Johnson Got the starting call at fullback at LSU in the absence of injured Chad Scott … Gained 53 yards on 11carries at LSU and also caught three passes for 20 yards.
Artose Pinner Started the first two games at fullback …Came off the bench at Florida to rush for 125 yards on 17 carries, thefirst 100-yard game of his collegiate career … Team’s second leading rusher with 188 yards on 39 carries, averaging 4.8 yards perattempt … Also has nine receptions for 28 yards.
Chad Scott True freshman got his first collegiate start in the Indiana game and has started four times … Team’s leading rusherwith 353 yards on 76 carries, averaging 4.6 per attempt, and has three touchdowns … Rushed for 106 yards in the win over SouthFlorida … Gained 63 yards vs. Indiana and scored his first two collegiate touchdowns … Rushed for 17 yards and a TD at Floridabefore sustaining a sprained ankle … Had 170 yards against South Carolina, 85 rushing and 85 receiving, but sprained his otherankle and missed LSU.
Ernest Simms Enjoyed his best collegiate game vs. his homestate school, Georgia … Took a short pass and weaved his way86 yards for a touchdown against the Bulldogs, the fifth-longest pass play in school history … Also had a 21-yard run against theBulldogs … Has three rushes for 40 yards this season and three receptions for 93 yards … Has noteworthy speed.
Quarterbacks
Shane Boyd True freshman who is a fine prospect and has a very strong arm … Coaches hope to redshirt him.
Jared Lorenzen Has completed 241 of 405 passes for 2,710 yards and 14 touchdowns … Leads the nation in completions,is second in passing yardage and 11th in TD passes … Has already broken the SEC single-season freshman record for passingyardage … Has thrown for at least 300 yards in six of eight games … Named the SEC Player of the Week by USA Today followinghis performance in the season opener at Louisville … Broke two single-game school records against Georgia with 528 passing yardsand 525 yards total offense … The 528 passing yards is second in SEC history and most ever in an SEC vs. SEC game … The 525yards total offense is third in league history … Was chosen as the preseason “SEC Newcomer of the Year” as predicted by the BlueRibbon College Football Yearbook.
At 6-4, 275 pounds, Lorenzen might be the largest regular starting quarterback in college history … Was born 13 pounds,three ounces … Has been a quarterback since beginning to play organized football at age five … Has remarkable agility for a playerhis size and rushed for 160 yards, with a net of 65 yards after sack yardage deducted … Has rushed for five touchdowns … Has runthe quarterback sneak 16 times this season, making 10 first downs and three touchdowns … Has avoided several sacks because ofhis size and strength, which have enabled him to get rid of the ball despite pressure.
Mark Perry Team’s backup quarterback … Also the holder for placekicks.
Defense
Coordinator Mike Major calls his unit the “Black Flag” defense. The idea is to give his players the mindset of “never surrender” … The Wildcat defenders are third in the SEC in quarterback sacks with 20 … The Cats are tied for 15th nationally in fumble recoveries with 10 … The Wildcat defense has already scored twice this season on fumble returns … The UK defense has 68 tackles for loss this season and is on pace to break the school record of 88 TFL set in 1998 … UK led the SEC in turnover takeaways last season with 31.
Defensive Line
Jeremy Caudill True freshman has started every game in the defensive line … Started four games at defensive tackle and thelast four at nose guard when the Wildcats switched to a five-man front … Has 16 tackles, including a season high of four againstIndiana … Has 5.5 tackles for loss, including his first collegiate sack in the Indiana game … Has remarkable physical gifts of strengthand speed, which enable him to play as a true freshman … In September, was one of only four players chosen for the National HighSchool Scholar-Athlete Award as selected by the National Football Foundation. He will receive his award at the annual NFFhonors program in New York City in December.
Chris Demaree Has 26 tackles … Has played in all seven games, starting twice … Has five tackles for loss (-21), including asack at Louisville … Is a cousin of Lonny Demaree, a sportswriter for the Community Voice newspaper in Lexington.
Otis Grigsby Has played in every game and started four games … Has 14 tackles, including three quarterback sacks.
Dennis Johnson Sidelined by a high ankle sprain in the Louisville game … Has not played since the opener … Second-teamAll-SEC performer last season.
Matt Layow Senior end has played outstanding football so far this season … Has 32 tackles … Third on the team in totaltackles for loss (11.5 for -48) and is second in quarterback sacks (4.5 for -33) … Also has three fumble recoveries … With twominutes to go against Indiana, he picked up a fumble and rumbled 21 yards for the game-winning touchdown … It was his secondtouchdown as a Wildcat, also scoring on a six-yard interception return at Florida in 1998 … Has two interceptions during his career… The brightest moment of his career came in the summer of 1999, while visiting his girlfriend in Lexington, when he saved the life ofa choking baby … Dedicated to community service and is one of only 11 players in NCAA Division I-A chosen for the NationalGood Works Team as selected by the American Football Coaches Association.
Dewayne Robertson True freshman defensive tackle has played very well … The hero of the Indiana game, causing twofumbles, both of which resulted in Wildcat TDs … His last fumble caused came with two minutes remaining in the game, and theloose ball was returned 21 yards by Matt Layow for the game-winning touchdown … Has totaled 29 tackles on the season … Has aknack for penetrating the offensive line … Ranks second in the SEC, behind teammate Marlon McCree, in tackles for loss with 12.5(for 51 yards).
John Robinson Moved into the starting lineup the last four games when the Wildcats switched to a five-man line … Had acareer-high five tackles, including one for loss, at LSU … Has 14 tackles on the season.
Nick Seitze Reserve defensive tackle has made nine tackles this season.
Grayson Smith Began the season as a reserve tackle, then moved to end when Dennis Johnson was hurt in order to providemore depth … Has made four tackles … Reached the semifinals of the heavyweight division of the 2000 National BoxingChampionships held in April.
Linebackers
Chris Gayton Was the starter at strongside linebacker until sustaining a sprained knee at Florida … Missed two games andreturned vs. LSU … Has 21 tackles, including a career-high nine at Louisville … Has three tackles for loss (-10), including one sack.
Marlon McCree The starter at weakside linebacker … His outstanding speed and blitzing can create havoc with opposingoffenses … Leads the team lead in tackles (67), tackles for loss (14.5 for 75), and quarterback sacks (5.5 for 39) … Leads theSEC in tackles for loss … Recovered two fumbles at Louisville, returning one of them nine yards for a touchdown … Had 10 tacklesvs. South Florida, four for loss, including two QB sacks … Also had two sacks at Florida … Notched a career-high 17 tackles atMississippi … Has accounted for 207 yards of opponent losses during his career … One of four Wildcats who has alreadygraduated and has a degree in finance.
Ryan Murphy Has started all eight games at middle linebacker … Has 48 tackles, including four for loss … Had aseason-high 13 tackles at Mississippi and also caused a Rebel fumble … Had 12 stops at LSU.
Jamal White Sees action as the backup middle linebacker and at outside linebacker … Has 16 tackles this season … Had aseason-high six stops against South Florida and LSU.
Defensive Backs
Willie Gary Now starting at free safety after starting the first two games at cornerback in place of the injured Kenneth Grant… Has totaled 59 tackles and three pass breakups this season, second on the team in both categories … Intelligent player who hasplayed every position in the secondary during his career at UK … Has 31 career starts, more than any current Wildcat.
Kenneth Grant Missed the first two games while recovering from an ankle sprain suffered on the first day of practice Aug. 11… Has played in the last six games and has 16 tackles, a pass breakup, and a fumble recovery.
David Johnson Has played in eight games, including five starts at strong safety … Fourth on the team in tackles with 38 andmade a career-high 13 stops against Indiana … Also had a pass breakup against the Hoosiers … Has three tackles for loss (-5) …Has made an excellent recovery after sustaining a broken orbital bone (eye socket) in the 1999 season opener … The injurythreatened his career, but he made a full recovery.
Eric Kelly In his third year as a starting cornerback and is an outstanding cover man … Playing with a broken thumb sustainedin the opener at Louisville … Has 25 tackles and a team-high six pass breakups this season … Has 25 pass breakups in his career,tying the school career record … Had 13 PBU last year, tying the single-season school record … One of four Wildcats who havealready graduated and has his degree in social work.
Derrick Tatum Team’s top reserve at cornerback earned his first start at LSU … Has made 27 tackles this season … Tiedhis career high with seven tackles vs. South Carolina and also had a fumble recovery.
Anthony Wajda Started the first two games of the season at free safety and now plays as a reserve … Has 12 tackles and hasthe team’s only interception of the season … Second-team All-SEC last season when he had five interceptions and three passbreakups and was SEC Defensive Player of the Week vs. Louisiana State.
Patrick Wiggins Started the opener at strong safety and now plays as a reserve … Has 19 tackles this season … SECDefensive Player of the Week last season in the bowl-clinching win at Vanderbilt.
Special Teams
Coleman Barnes Team’s long snapper on punts and placekicks … Had a high snap on his first extra point in the Louisvillegame, but has snapped well since … In his first year on the varsity after playing for the junior varsity last season … Has earned anomination for the Verizon Academic All-America Team.
Seth Hanson Team’s starting punter and also has been handling field goals and extra points since the South Florida game … Ifhe continues as a regular in both roles, he will be the first Wildcat to do so since All-American Lou Michaels handled punting andkicking in 1957 … Is in his first season punting since his senior year of high school (1996) … Averaging 37.1 yards per punt, witheight landing inside the 20-yard line … Has made 10 of 11 field goal attempts, with a long of 40 yards, and is 16-16 on extra points… Had a career-high three field goals vs. Georgia … Was the team’s starting kicker in 1997 and 1998 before going through aninjury redshirt season last year … Has made 25 of 33 field goals in his career … Holds UK career records for extra points made(99) and attempted (103) … In 1998, set UK single-season records for extra points made (48) and attempted (51) and for mostpoints made by a kicker (81) … President of the school’s chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes … Named to the 1999National “Good Works Team” by the American Football Coaches Association in honor of his community service.
Clint Ruth True freshman who has shared kickoff duties with Brandon Sanders … Has kicked off 30 times, with 22 returned,three out of bounds, and three touchbacks.
Brandon Sanders Has shared kickoff duties with Clint Ruth … Has kicked off 12 times, with 10 returned, one onside andone touchback … Also handled placekicking against Louisville and made both extra point attempts.
Kendrick Shanklin UK’s primary kickoff and punt returner … Averaging 21.2 on kickoff returns … Averaging 1.1 yards onpunt returns … Led the SEC last season in punt returns with a 13.5-yard average, including a TD return vs. Louisiana State.
