Three Wildcats Nominated for Academic All-America: Three Kentucky Wildcats – long snapper Coleman Barnes and wide receivers Mike Beirne and Neal Brown – have earned nominations for the Verizon Academic All-America team.

Barnes, a sophomore from Bardstown, Ky., has been UK’s long snapper for punts, field goals, and extra points this season. He has a 3.48 grade-point average with a major in kinesiology.

Beirne, a junior from The Woodlands, Tex., has played in all eight games this season and has two receptions for 28 yards. He carries a 3.47 GPA with a major in management and has been active in UK’s “Cats That Care” community service program.

Brown, a sophomore from Danville, Ky., has played in every game this season and has five receptions for 19 yards and one touchdown. His TD catch vs. South Carolina was the only one allowed by the Gamecocks in their first seven games of the season. He came to UK as a walk-on and has earned a scholarship. He has been a participant in the “Cats That Care” community service program.

Voting for Academic All-America is handled by the College Sports Information Directors of America. The players are on the District IV ballot, which includes schools from the states of Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. Players elected to the District IV team advance to the national ballot.

Wildcats Take Weekend Off: With an open date on Oct. 28, the Kentucky football team will not practice on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Wildcats return to the practice field on Mon. Oct. 30 in preparation for the Nov. 4 game vs. Mississippi State.