Kentucky (2-8, 0-7) at Tennessee (6-3, 3-3)
Nov. 18, 2000, 12:30 p.m. EST
Neyland Stadium, cap. 104,000
Wildcats Headlines
Season finale for Kentucky
Last UK game for 17 Wildcats
UK is second in the nation in passing offense, 13th in total offense
UK defense is sixth in the nation in fumbles recovered
QB Jared Lorenzen has broken two NCAA freshman records, could break three more
UK takes on Tennessee team that has won four in a row and is ranked eighth nationally in totaldefense
On the Tube
Live It’s the SEC Game of the Week as regionally televised by Jefferson-Pilot Sports. Kentucky-area stations carrying the game include:
WKNT, Bowling Green
WSAZ, Charleston, W. V.
WBQC, Cincinnati, Ohio
WTVW, Evansville, Ind.
WKYT, Lexington
WAVE, Louisville
KFVS, Paducah, Ky./Cape Girardeau, Mo.
The announce team includes Dave Neal (play-by-play), Dave Rowe (analysis), and CharlesDavis (sidelines).
Delay None.
On the Radio
The University of Kentucky Football Radio Network will carry the broadcast on approximately80 stations. The network includes new flagship stations WLAP (630 AM) and WBUL (98.1 FM) inLexington 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 theanalyst 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 (2-8, 0-7 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)
Nov. 4 Mississippi State 35, UK 17 (H)
Nov. 11 Vanderbilt 24, UK 20 (H)
Nov. 18 at Tennessee, 12:30 p.m.
Tennessee Results and Schedule (6-3, 3-3 SEC)
Sept. 2 UT 19, Southern Mississippi 16 (H)
Sept. 16 Florida 27, UT 23 (H)
Sept. 23 UT 70, Louisiana-Monroe 3 (H)
Sept. 30 Louisiana State 38, UT 31 (A-OT)
Oct. 7 Georgia 21, UT 10 (A)
Oct. 21 UT 20, Alabama 10 (H)
Oct. 28 UT 17, South Carolina 14 (A)
Nov. 4 UT 19, Memphis 17 (A)
Nov. 11 UT 63, Arkansas 20 (H)
Nov. 18 Kentucky
Nov. 25 at Vanderbilt
The Series
Overall: UT leads the series, 63-23-9
Current Streak: UT has won 15 in a row
First Meeting: 1893, UK 56-0 in Knoxville
Last Meeting: 1999, UT 56-21 in Lexington
Last UK Win: 1984, 17-12 in Knoxville
In Knoxville: UT leads 33-10-6
Series Notes: This is the 96th meeting between the two schools, more than any other UK rivalry Itis the third-longest SEC series, trailing only Auburn-Georgia and Mississippi-Mississippi State.
How Experienced are the Tentative Starters? Sr. Jr. Soph. RFr. Fr.UK 7 3 7 1 4UT 8 7 3 1 5
Wildcats From Tennessee
Kentucky has four players from Tennessee freshman kicker Clint Ruth is from White Houseand three more freshmen, CB Leonard Burress, DT Dewayne Robertson, and LB AnthonyStevenson are from Memphis.
UK also has a coaching tie with the University of Tennessee. UK defensive backs coach TimKeane coached the Tennessee DBs from 1990-92.
Last Year vs. Tennessee
Kentucky generated 478 yards total offense, the most allowed by Tennessee during the season,but it wasn’t enough as the Volunteers defeated the Wildcats, 56-21, in Commonwealth Stadium.
Stung by an upset the previous week at Arkansas, the Volunteers came out breathing fire andraced to a 27-0 lead. Kentucky rallied in the second quarter as Dusty Bonner threw touchdownpasses to tight end James Whalen and fullback Anthony White to cut the lead to 27-14 at halftime. Tennessee, however, had another strong spurt late in the third quarter to put the game away.
Bonner completed 32 of 50 passes for 361 yards and three touchdowns. Whalen caught ninepasses for 114 yards, his fifth 100-yard game of the season, and one touchdown. He broke the schoolrecord for pass receptions in a season (90) and also became the second player in school history to goover the 1,000-yard receiving mark in a season.
White had another good all-around day. He rushed four times for 50 yards and caught sevenpasses for 70 yards and two TDs. He became the third player in NCAA history to reach the1,500-yard mark in both rushing and receiving yardage. He also became the first player in schoolhistory to surpass the 1,000-yard mark in combined rushing and receiving yardage for threeconsecutive seasons.
Tennessee’s Travis Henry led all rushers with 179 yards and three touchdowns. Onterrio Smithran for 82 yards and two TDs. QB Tee Martin threw for 155 yards and two TDs and also ran foranother score.
Notes on the TV Appearance
Kentucky has an all-time record of 21-62-1 on live national or regional television, including a 1-3mark this season Kentucky has a 3-11 all-time record on Jefferson-Pilot Sports Kentucky hasbeen a popular TV team under Coach Hal Mumme, with this marking the 28th live national or regionalappearance in Mumme’s 46th game at UK.
UK Schedule Among Nation’s Toughest
Kentucky has played the second-most difficult schedule in the Southeastern Conference and the20th-toughest schedule in the nation, according to the USA Today computer rankings compiled by JeffSagarin.
The Wildcats have played five teams currently ranked in the nation’s Top 25 Florida, SouthCarolina, Georgia, Mississippi State, and Tennessee. Nine of Kentucky’s 11 opponents already haveclinched winning records this season.
Last year, Kentucky’s schedule was ranked No. 41 for difficulty, according to the final Sagarincomputer ratings.
Final Game for UK Seniors
Seventeen Wildcats will play their final collegiate game on Saturday. The list includes 16seniors, along with junior Jermaine White, who will be graduating in May and giving up his final seasonof eligibility:
OG Aaron Daniel, Valparaiso, Fla.
FS Willie Gary, Valdosta, Ga.
CB Kenneth Grant, Austin, Tex.
WR Alex Herman, Union, Ky.
RB Derek Homer, Fort Knox, Ky.
CB Eric Kelly, Panama City, Fla.
DE Matt Layow, Miami, Fla.
WR Quentin McCord, LaGrange, Ga.
LB Marlon McCree, Daytona, Fla.
WR Kyle McDuffie, Tallahassee, Fla.
QB Mark Perry, Chillicothe, Ohio
LB John Rader, Jackson, Ky.
WR Jimmy Robinson, Stone Mountain, Ga.
K Brandon Sanders, Versailles, Ky.
DE Grayson Smith, Salyersville, Ky.
OG Omar Smith, Miramar, Fla.
LB Jermaine White, Gainesville, Fla.
UK Starting Third-Most True Freshmen
Four UK true freshmen offensive tackle Antonio Hall, running back Chad Scott, and defensivelinemen Jeremy Caudill and Dewayne Robertson have started a majority of games this season.
UK ranks third in Division I-A for starting the most true freshmen. Nevada has eight truefreshman starters and Texas is starting five.
UK Could Break Team TFL Record
The Kentucky defense has a chance to break the school record for total tackles for loss in aseason.
The Wildcats have 76 tackles for loss in 10 games this season. UK needs 12 TFL in the finalgame to equal the school record of 88 total TFL set in 1998.
McCree, Robertson Among SEC Leaders
Linebacker Marlon McCree and defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson are among theSoutheastern Conference defensive leaders.
Through games of Nov. 4, McCree had 15 tackles for loss, tied with Tennessee DT JohnHenderson for the most in the SEC. Robertson was fifth in the SEC with 12.5 tackles for loss.
Lorenzen Breaks NCAA Records, Could Get Three More Redshirt freshman quarterback Jared Lorenzen broke the NCAA records for most passcompletions and attempts by a freshman during last Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt.
Lorenzen has 297 completions this season, breaking the mark of 282 by Mike Romo of SouthernMethodist in 1989. Lorenzen has 513 attempts, breaking the mark of Jon Denton of Nevada-LasVegas in 1996.
Lorenzen could break three more NCAA season records in the finale at Tennessee.
Total Offensive Yardage by a Freshman: 3,629 yards by Jon Denton, Nevada-Las Vegas 1996. Lorenzen has 3,487 yards total offense and needs 142 yards to tie.
Passing Yardage by a Freshman: 3,591 yards by Jon Denton, Nevada-Las Vegas 1996. Lorenzen has 3,359 passing yards and needs 232 yards to tie.
Total Offensive Plays by a Freshman: 594 by Jon Denton, Nevada-Las Vegas 1996. Lorenzenhas 577 plays and needs 17 plays to tie.
Lorenzen Breaks SEC Freshman Passing Record, Two School Records vs. Georgia
Freshman quarterback Jared Lorenzen needed only eight games to break the SEC freshmanpassing yardage record.
Lorenzen’s 528 passing yards against Georgia gave him 2,710 this season, eclipsing the SECrecord of 2,484 yards by Quincy Carter of Georgia in 1998. Lorenzen has increased his total to 2,974yards.
Lorenzen’s 528 passing yards broke the single-game school record of 499 yards by Tim Couchat Arkansas in 1998. Lorenzen also had 525 yards total offense vs. Georgia, breaking Couch’ssingle-game school mark of 498 yards at Louisville in 1998.
Lorenzen Spreading the Wealth
Redshirt freshman quarterback Jared Lorenzen has done a good job of diversifying his receiversthis season. Lorenzen has completed passes to at least 10 different receivers in eight of the 10 gamesthis season.
Kelly Ties Pass Breakup Record
Senior cornerback Eric Kelly has tied the school’s career record for pass breakups. Kelly leadsthe team with six PBU this season, 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 21
Kelly 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, formerstudent-athlete, assistant coach, 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 ofClaiborne’s funeral. And, since the games of Sept. 30, the UK helmets featured football-shaped blackstickers with the initials JDC.
Claiborne played at Kentucky from 1946-49 as a defensive back, end, and blocking back. Hestill holds UK’s single-season record for interceptions with nine. He was an assistant coach underPaul Bear Bryant.
In 1982, with the program struggling because of NCAA probation and off-the field problems,Claiborne returned to his alma mater. He led the Wildcats to the 1983 and 1984 Hall of Fame Bowlsand restored the integrity of the program on every front.
Claiborne retired from coaching following the 1989 season, but stayed involved at UK by helpingraise the funds for the Nutter Field 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, 335.9 yards per game
Total Offense: 1st, 447.4 yards per game
First Downs: 1st, 233 first downs
Time of Possession: 3rd, 31:00 time per game
Individual
Passing Yardage: Jared Lorenzen 1st, 335.9 yards per game
Total Offense: Jared Lorenzen 1st, 348.7 yards per game
FG Percentage: Seth Hanson 3rd, 86.7 percent
Wildcats in the NCAA Stats
Team and individual stats in the NCAA top 25:
Team
Passing Offense: 2nd, 335.9 yards per game
Total Offense: 13th, 447.4 yards per game
Fumble Recoveries: T6th, 14 recoveries
Individual
Pass Attempts: Jared Lorenzen 2nd, 513 attempts
Comp. Per Game: Jared Lorenzen 1st, 29.7 comp. per gm.
Passing Yardage: Jared Lorenzen 2nd, 3359 yards
Touchdown Passes: Jared Lorenzen T17th, 17 TDs
Total Offense: Jared Lorenzen 2nd, 348.7 yards per game
Points Responsible For: Jared Lorenzen 17th, 13.8 points responsible per game
FG Per Game: Seth Hanson T21st, 1.22 FG per game
Running Game More Effective
Kentucky’s running game is showing improved effectiveness this season.
The Wildcats are averaging 111.5 yards per game in the 2000 campaign, up from 75 yards pergame last season. Even more important is the fact that UK fullbacks Chad Scott and Artose Pinner the primary ballcarriers are averaging 4.9 and 4.8 yards per carry, 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 111.5 yardsper game so far this season.
Pass protection has gotten better as well. UK has allowed just 17 quarterback sacks in 532passing plays this season a sack prevention ratio of 96.8 percent, second best in the SEC. TheO-Line allowed zero sacks against South Florida and Vanderbilt, the first two times that has happenedin the Hal Mumme era. 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 1,663 rushing yards. He needsone yard to equal Bill Leskovar (1,664) and reach the top 10.
Last Saturday against Vanderbilt, Homer became the 12th player in school history to reach 1,000receiving yards in his career. He joins Anthony White as the only two players in school history tohave 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a career.
Homer also has 124 career pass receptions and is third on the UK receiving list. Senior widereceiver Quentin McCord has joined the century club with 106 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 1244. James Whalen, 1997-99 1205. Kevin Coleman, 1995-98 1076. Quentin McCord, 1996-2000 106
Block That Kick! During the four seasons that Coach Mike Major has been in charge of the Kentucky defense,the Wildcats have blocked 11 opponent kicks, including eight field goals, two punts, and one extrapoint. 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)
A Note About the Defensive Statistics
There has been a change in how the Southeastern Conference is listing tackles for loss thisseason. The stat column tackles for loss combines tackles for loss on running plays andquarterback sacks. In previous seasons, the tackles for loss column did not include QB sacks.
Defense Scoring, Too
During the four seasons that Coach Mike Major has been in charge of the UK defense, thedefensive Cats have scored 10 times, including seven TDs, two safeties, and a two-point defensivePAT after a blocked extra point kick.
The UK defense has scored twice this season, Marlon McCree’s nine-yard fumble return atLouisville and Matt Layow’s 21-yard game-winning fumble return vs. Indiana.
Charting the Tendencies
Here are some tendencies that have generated success for the Wildcats in the four seasonsunder 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: 14-8
UK loses 0 or 1 turnover: 10-1
UK is plus or even in turnover margin: 14-4
UK creates four or more turnovers: 6-3
UK rushes for more yards than opponent: 11-5
UK holds opp. to 100 or fewer rushing yards: 10-3
Scoring in the Blue Zone (20-and-in)
Kentucky: Converted 28 of 37 opportunities for 147points (16 touchdowns, 12 field goals, four turnovers, one lost on downs, two missed field goals, onepunt, one end of game).
Opponents: Converted 34 of 44 opportunities for 197 points (24 touchdowns, 10 field goals,four missed field goals, four turnovers, two held on downs).
Numbers Here, Numbers There
Here are some career statistical superlatives among current players, including regular-seasongames only.
Most Games Played: 43 by Derek Homer, Marlon McCree
Most Games Started: 33 by Willie Gary
100-Yard Rushing Games: 4 by Derek Homer, 2 by Chad Scott, 1 by Artose Pinner
100-Yard Receiving Games: 3 by Quentin McCord, 2 by Derek Smith, 1 by Jimmy Robinson, 1 byKendrick Shanklin
Games With Double-Figure Tackles: 6 by Willie Gary, 4 by Marlon McCree, 2 by Ryan Murphy,1 by David Johnson
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 theLouisville game.
DE Matt Layow was chosen for the National Good Works Team by the American FootballCoaches Association. Layow was one of only 11 players from Division I-A who were honored fortheir community service.
WR Jimmy Robinson was named to the Southeastern Conference Good Works Team inrecognition of his community service.
Freshman DT Jeremy Caudill was one of only four players chosen for the National High SchoolScholar-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 earnednominations for the Verizon Academic All-America Team.
Kicker Seth Hanson was elected UK’s Homecoming King in a vote by the student body.
Kicker Seth Hanson has been named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, which goes to thenation’s best kicker.
TE Derek Smith has been named a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award, which goes to thenation’s best tight end.
Head Coach Hal Mumme
Hal Mumme (Tarleton State, 1975) has a 20-25 record in his fourth season as head coach of theWildcats. Mumme was the first UK coach to have a winning record in his first three seasons sinceBlanton Collier in 1954-56. Along with Paul Bear Bryant and Jerry Claiborne both of whom are inthe College Football Hall of Fame Mumme is one of three coaches who has taken Kentucky toconsecutive bowl games. He was voted 1997 GTE Region 2 Coach of the Year by his peers in theAmerican Football Coaches Association and named the 1999 South/Southwest Coach of the Year byFootball News. He is in his 12th season as a collegiate head coach and has a record of 85-52-1(.620).
Mumme had a 40-17-1 mark from 1992-96 at Valdosta State, where he took the Blazers to theNCAA Division II national playoffs in 1994 and 1996. He was named 1994 Georgia Coach of theYear 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 when the Blazers won the league title.
Mumme had a 25-10 record from 1989-91 at Iowa Wesleyan College. He took his team to theSteamboat Classic bowl game in 1989 and ’90 and to the NAIA national playoffs in 1991. He wasnamed the NAIA District Coach of the Year in 1989 and 1991.
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Mumme is receiving plenty of compliments, astwo of his former assistant coaches Mike Leach (Texas Tech) and Chris Hatcher (Valdosta State) have been hired as head coaches with the hope of duplicating the success of his system.
Mummeball
UK coach Hal Mumme is known for his unconventional ways. Here are some examples of hisoff-the-beaten-path approach:
Throwing the football: Mumme’s offensive goal is to throw the ball to set up the run. Hisrun-pass ratio at UK in 1997 was 36 percent run and 64 percent pass. In 1998, the ratio was 37percent run and 63 percent pass. In 1999 the ratio was 44 percent run and 56 percent pass. Thisseason, it has been 34 percent run and 66 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 inAugust. The Wildcats do some live tackling 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 onSaturday?
Mummeball is more classroom than battlefield, wrote John Clay of the LexingtonHerald-Leader in 1997. The head coach is not a Schwarzkopf but an alchemist, busy turningordinary metals into gold.
The approach paid off with fewer injuries in 1997, when only four players on the two-deep depthchart missed games because of injury. Seven players missed at least one game via injury in 1998 and11 in 1999. By comparison, a total of 18 players missed games because of injury in 1996 under aconventional practice system.
Punting the ball out of bounds: UK’s punts are designed to go near the sideline or out ofbounds. The strategy improved Kentucky’s net punting from 32.7 yards per punt in 1996 to 37 yardsper punt in 1997. In 1998, Kentucky improved to 37.4 net yards per punt. The Wildcats set a schoolrecord last season with 39.92 net yards per punt.
Playing true freshmen: Mumme believes in playing true freshmen. In his first three seasonsat UK, 62 percent of his true freshmen played in their first season.
Junior varsity team: Mumme continues to field a junior varsity team again this season. Seethe next column for a story on the JV squad.
Fourth-Down Analysis
In four seasons under Hal Mumme, UK has gone for it on fourth down 135 times and made it66 times.
The 66 successes have helped lead to 35 touchdowns and six field goals for Kentucky. The 69missed attempts have resulted in 20 touchdowns and three field goals on the ensuing opponentpossessions.
Kentucky has made 9 of 14 fake punts under Mumme.
The Wildcats have made 13 of 25 fourth-down attempts this season.
UK Football History
The Kentucky Wildcats are in their 110th season of intercollegiate football. The firstSoutheastern Conference school to introduce football (1881), Kentucky has an all-time record of519-496-44 (.511).
Kentucky has two SEC championships, 1950 and 1976. The Wildcats have been to nine bowlgames, including the last two seasons. Kentucky’s highest in-season national ranking is third, by TheAssociated Press, on Nov. 20, 1950. UK’s highest final ranking is sixth in the AP poll in 1977.
Junior Varsity Team Season Complete
One of Coach Hal Mumme’s innovations in 1997 was the start of a junior varsity team. Theteam is comprised primarily of walk-ons, in addition to a few scholarship players who are not beingredshirted.
The 2000 team was coached by graduate assistants Rob Manchester and John Schlarman andstudent coaches Randy Garver and Tramaine Gaines. Manchester is head coach and defensivecoordinator 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. 9, UKJV 5 (H)
Mon. Oct. 30 UKJV 44, Campbellsville 13 (H)
Thurs. Nov. 9 Pikeville 38, UKJV 3 (A)
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 EricKelly, LB Marlon McCree, and DT Grayson Smith.
Kentucky completed its 28th season in Commonwealth Stadium. The Wildcatshave a record of 95-75-4 (.557) in Commonwealth since the stadium opened in 1973. Kentucky is13-11 (.542) at home under Coach Hal Mumme.
UK has led or tied for the league lead in most players on the SEC AcademicHonor Roll in 10 of the last 16 years.
Six current players are walk-ons who were awarded full scholarships WR NealBrown, WR Alex Herman, WR Gary Hughes, QB Mark Perry, DE Grayson Smith and SS PatrickWiggins. Mumme has awarded 17 scholarships to walk-ons while at UK.
The Kentucky cheerleaders won an unprecedented 10th national championship atthe 2000 Universal Cheerleaders Association competition in January. The Wildcats cheerleadershave 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, 335.9 yards per game, and 13thnationally in total offense, 447.4 yards per game UK leads the SEC in both categories UK hasled the SEC in passing offense all three previous seasons under Coach Hal Mumme The Wildcats’best effort of the season was a 620-yard total offense performance against Georgia, which had comeinto the game leading the SEC in total defense, allowing just 268 yards per game UK rolled up 577yards against Vanderbilt.
Offensive Line
The offensive line has made progress since last season Rushing yardage is up 36 yards pergame The Wildcats allowed 52 quarterback sacks last season, but only 17 so far this year TheWildcats have a sack prevention ratio of 96.8 percent, second-best in the SEC UK allowed nosacks against South Florida and Vanderbilt, the first two times that has happened in the Hal Mummeera.
Matt Brown Starting left tackle has had injury problems this season, missing four games, andwill miss the finale at Tennessee Sustained a sprained ankle against Louisville and missed theSouth Florida game Dislocated his shoulder at Mississippi and missed three more games Dislocated his shoulder again in the Vanderbilt game Did not begin playing football until hissophomore 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 aknee injury in the Louisville game Has started the last nine games Has handled the shotgunsnap well.
Aaron Daniel Fifth-year senior has been the utility reserve in the offensive line Can playcenter or either guard position Injured his hip in practice the week before the Vanderbilt game andwill miss the last two games of the season.
Nolan DeVaughn UK’s starting center suffered a knee injury in the Louisville game and is lostfor the season.
Antonio Hall True freshman has started every game at right tackle One of the nation’smost highly sought lineman prospects a year ago Has excellent musical aptitude, plays the piano,and is a gifted singer Member of the Lexington Singers, a community choral group.
Josh Parrish Has started six games, twice at left guard and four games at right guard Played every offensive snap of the 1999 season at right guard.
Kip Sixbery Has started eight games at left guard Played every down of the 1999 season atleft guard, and at the age of 17 was 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 rightguard for the 2000 season and is well-regarded as a pro prospect Hoped to play only at right guardthis season, but injury problems have required him to fill in at both tackle slots as well Started at left tackle in four gameswhen Matt Brown was sidelined by injuries and will play that position again against Tennessee withBrown out Played every down of the 1999 season at right tackle One of four Wildcats whohave graduated already and has his degree in social work.
Tight Ends
Chase Harp Reserve tight end sustained a broken leg vs. Mississippi State and is out for theseason Had 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 quarterbackand moved to tight end in the spring of 1999.
Derek Smith A semifinalist for the John Mackey Award, which goes to the nation’s top tightend One of only two sophomores among the eight award semifinalists Team’s leading receiverwith 48 catches for 697 yards and five TDs and a pair of two-point conversions Ranks fifth in theSEC with 4.8 receptions per game Caught five passes for 108 yards vs. Georgia and six for 102vs. Mississippi State Had an 89-yard play against Georgia that is the third longest pass play inschool history Had a career-high eight catches at Florida.
Wide Receivers
Derek Abney Shares the X receiver position with Quentin McCord Has 37 catches for396 yards and three TDs Best game came vs. South Florida with five catches for 62 yards andtwo TDs Longest play this season was a 50-yard TD at Mississippi Wears uniform No. 12 inhonor of his childhood best friend, Ezra Hartinger, who died when they were in seventh grade.
Dougie Allen Starting Z receiver made a remarkable recovery from the knee injury andreconstructive surgery that occurred in Oct. 1999 Has 22 catches for 315 yards and two TDs Missed the Mississippi game because of a strained hamstring Will miss the Tennessee game aftersustaining an injured ankle vs. Vanderbilt.
Bobby Blizzard Starting H receiver has caught 23 passes for 199 yards Has worked hardto lose approximately 20 pounds and improve his conditioning since arriving at UK in Jan. 1999.
Neal Brown Reserve Z receiver has caught eight passes for 38 yards Got his firstcollegiate touchdown on a two-yard catch against South Carolina, one of only five passing TDsallowed by the Gamecocks this season Earned a nomination for the Academic All-America team.
Anthony Kelly Reserve receiver has eight catches for 64 yards Also does a great jobcovering punts and has six tackles this season.
Quentin McCord Shares the X position with Derek Abney Has been a big-play receiverfor the Wildcats with 39 receptions for 642 yards and four TDs, averaging 16.5 yards per catch Has five plays of 45 yards or more this season and three 100-yard games Set career highs withseven catches for 126 yards vs. Georgia Has 106 career receptions, the sixth player in schoolhistory to reach the century mark.
Jimmy Robinson Playing in a rare sixth year to complete his eligibility, as he missed the 1996and 1999 seasons because of injuries Once again, has become Mr. November for UK football Had one reception for five yards in the first eight games of the season, then grabbed five for 78yards in the last two games In eight November games during his career, he has 37 receptions for445 yards and two touchdowns more than half of his total career output (67-734-4 TDs) One offour 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 Sees action at halfback Has gained 113 rushing yards Ranks 11th inschool history with 1,663 rushing yards, needing only one more yard to reach the top 10 Third onthe team in receptions with 33 for 289 yards Has 124 pass receptions in his career, ranking third inschool history Has hit exactly 1,000 receiving yards in his career Along with Anthony White,one of two UK players who have reached 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a career 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 11 carries at LSU and also caught three passes for 20 yards Has totaled 61rushing yards and 29 receiving yards this season.
Artose Pinner Started the first two games at fullback Came off the bench at Florida to rushfor 125 yards on 17 carries, the first 100-yard game of his collegiate career Team’s second leadingrusher with 188 yards on 39 carries, averaging 4.8 yards per attempt Also has nine receptions for28 yards.
Chad Scott True freshman got his first collegiate start in the Indiana game and has started sixtimes Team’s leading rusher with 564 yards on 116 carries, averaging 4.9 per attempt, and has fourtouchdowns Rushed for 106 yards in the win over South Florida Gained 63 yards vs. Indianaand scored his first two collegiate touchdowns Had 170 yards against South Carolina, 85 rushingand 85 receiving Missed the LSU game because of a sprained ankle Notched a season-high117 rushing yards vs. Mississippi State.
Ernest Simms Enjoyed his best collegiate game vs. his homestate school, Georgia Took ashort pass and weaved his way 86 yards for a touchdown against the Bulldogs, the fifth-longest passplay in school history Also had a 21-yard run against the Bulldogs Has four rushes for 48 yardsthis season, a 12.0 average, and nine pass receptions for 162 yards and two touchdowns.
Quarterbacks
Shane Boyd True freshman who is a fine prospect and has a very strong arm Coacheshope to redshirt him.
Jared Lorenzen Has completed 297 of 513 passes for 3,359 yards and 17 touchdowns Leads the nation in completions per game, is second in passing yardage and total offense Hasbroken NCAA single-season records for most completions and attempts by a freshman Couldbreak three more NCAA records in the season finale (see page three of this release) Leads theSEC in total offense and passing yardage Already has broken the SEC single-season freshmanrecord for passing yardage Has thrown for at least 300 yards in seven of 10 games Named theSEC Player of the Week by USA Today following his performance in the season opener at Louisville Broke two single-game school records against Georgia with 528 passing yards and 525 yards totaloffense The 528 passing yards is second in SEC history and most ever in an SEC vs. SEC game The 525 yards total offense is third in league history Was chosen as the preseason SECNewcomer of the Year as predicted by the Blue Ribbon 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 organizedfootball at age five Has remarkable agility for a player his size and rushed for 268 yards, with a netof 128 yards after sack yardage deducted Has rushed for five touchdowns Has run thequarterback sneak 16 times this season, making 10 first downs and three touchdowns Has avoidedseveral sacks because of his size and strength, which have enabled him to get rid of the ball despitepressure.
Mark Perry Team’s backup quarterback Also the holder for placekicks.
Defense The Wildcat defenders are fifth in the SEC in quarterback sacks with 22 The Cats are tiedfor sixth nationally in fumble recoveries with 14 The Wildcat defense has scored twice this seasonon fumble returns The UK defense has 76 tackles for loss this season and could break the schoolrecord 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 Has 19tackles, including a season high of four against Indiana Has 5.5 tackles for loss, including his firstcollegiate sack in the Indiana game Has remarkable physical gifts of strength and speed, whichenable him to play as a true freshman In September, was one of only four players chosen for theNational High School Scholar-Athlete Award as selected by the National Football Foundation. He willreceive his award at the annual NFF honors program in New York City in December.
Chris Demaree Returned for Vanderbilt after missing the Mississippi State game because ofan ankle sprain Has 27 tackles Has five tackles for loss (-21), including a sack 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 five games Has 18 tackles, includingfour quarterback sacks (-33 yards) Caused two fumbles against Mississippi State, both recoveredby the Wildcats.
Dennis Johnson Sidelined by a high ankle sprain in the Louisville game Has not playedsince the opener Second-team All-SEC performer last season.
Matt Layow Senior end has played outstanding football this season Leads the defensivelinemen with 42 tackles Third on the team in total tackles for loss (11.5 for -48) and is second inquarterback sacks (4.5 for -33) Also has three fumble recoveries With two minutes to goagainst Indiana, he picked up a fumble and rumbled 21 yards for the game-winning touchdown Itwas his second touchdown as a Wildcat, also scoring on a six-yard interception return at Florida in1998 Has two interceptions during his career The brightest moment of his career came in thesummer of 1999, while visiting his girlfriend in Lexington, when he saved the life of a choking baby Dedicated to community service and is one of only 11 players in NCAA Division I-A chosen for theNational Good Works Team as selected by the American Football Coaches Association.
Dewayne Robertson True freshman defensive tackle has played very well The hero of theIndiana game, causing two fumbles, both of which resulted in Wildcat TDs His last fumble causedcame with two minutes remaining in the game, and the loose ball was returned 21 yards by MattLayow for the game-winning touchdown Has totaled 33 tackles on the season Has a knack forpenetrating the offensive line Among the SEC leaders in tackles for loss with 13.5 Picked offan interception against Mississippi State and followed with a nifty nine-yard return.
John Robinson Moved into the starting lineup for four games when the Wildcats switched toa five-man line Had a career-high five tackles, including one for loss, at LSU Has 14 tackles onthe season.
Nick Seitze Reserve defensive tackle has made 10 tackles this season.
Grayson Smith Began the season as a reserve tackle, then moved to end when DennisJohnson was hurt in order to provide more depth Has made seven tackles, including one for loss Reached the semifinals of the heavyweight division of the 2000 National Boxing Championships heldin April.
Linebackers
Chris Gayton Was the starter at strongside linebacker until sustaining a sprained knee atFlorida Missed two games and returned vs. LSU Has 22 tackles, including a career-high nine atLouisville Has three tackles for loss (-10), including one sack.
Marlon McCree The starter at weakside linebacker His outstanding speed and blitzing cancreate havoc with opposing offenses Leads the team in tackles (78), tackles for loss (15 for -79),and quarterback sacks (5.5 for 39) Leads the SEC in tackles for loss Recovered two fumbles atLouisville, returning one of them nine yards for a touchdown Had 10 tackles vs. South Florida, fourfor loss, including two QB sacks Also had two sacks at Florida Notched a career-high 17tackles at Mississippi Has accounted for 211 yards of opponent losses during his career One offour Wildcats who has already graduated and has a degree in finance.
Ryan Murphy Has started all 10 games at middle linebacker Has 61 tackles, tied for secondon the team, including four for loss Had a season-high 13 tackles at Mississippi and also caused aRebel fumble Had 12 stops at LSU.
Jamal White Sees action as the backup middle linebacker and at outside linebacker Has 18tackles this season, including three for loss Had a season-high six stops against South Florida andLSU Has two pass breakups.
Defensive Backs
Willie Gary Now starting at free safety after starting the first two games at cornerback inplace of the injured Kenneth Grant Has totaled 61 tackles, tied for second on the team Hasthree pass breakups Grabbed a pass interception against Mississippi State Intelligent player whohas played every position in the secondary during his career at UK Has 33 career starts, more thanany current Wildcat.
Kenneth Grant Missed the first two games while recovering from an ankle sprain suffered onthe first day of practice Aug. 11 Sustained a broken thumb in practice on Oct. 26 and missed theMississippi State game Played against Vanderbilt with a protective cast Has 17 tackles and twopass breakups on the year.
David Johnson Has played every game, including six starts at strong safety Fourth on theteam in tackles with 43 and made a career-high 13 stops against Indiana Has three tackles for loss(-5) Second on the team in pass breakups with four, including two in the Vanderbilt game Hasmade an excellent recovery after sustaining a broken orbital bone (eye socket) in the 1999 seasonopener The injury threatened 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 sustained in the opener at Louisville Has 28 tackles and a team-highsix 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 Has started two games Has made 34 tackles this season Tied his careerhigh 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 areserve Has 22 tackles and one interception Second-team All-SEC last season when he hadfive interceptions and three pass breakups and was SEC Defensive Player of the Week vs. LouisianaState.
Patrick Wiggins Started the opener at strong safety and now plays as a reserve Has 22tackles this season Recovered an onside kick vs. Mississippi State SEC Defensive Player ofthe Week last season in the bowl-clinching win at Vanderbilt.
Special Teams
Coleman Barnes Team’s long snapper on punts and placekicks In his firstyear on the varsity after playing for the junior varsity last season Earned anomination for the Verizon Academic All-America Team.
Seth Hanson Team’s starting punter for the first eight games Has beenhandling field goals and extra points since the South Florida game He is the firstWildcat to handle both roles 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, with eight landing inside the 20-yard line Has kicked very well this season and is a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award for thenation’s best kicker Has made 13 of 15 field goal attempts, with a long of 40 yards,and is 21-22 on extra points Had a career-high three field goals vs. Georgia Ranksfourth in the SEC and 15th nationally with 1.30 field goals per game Third in the SECin field goal percentage (86.7 percent) Was the team’s starting kicker in 1997 and1998 before going through an injury redshirt season last year Has made 28 of 37field goals in his career Holds UK career records for extra points made (99) andattempted (104) In 1998, set UK single-season records for extra points made (48)and attempted (51) and for most points made by a kicker (81) Third on the UKcareer scoring list with 183 points President of the school’s chapter of theFellowship of Christian Athletes Named to the 1999 National Good Works Team bythe American Football Coaches Association in honor of his community service The UK2000 Homecoming King as elected by the student body.
Glenn Pakulak Saw his first varsity action by punting in the last two games Has punted eight times for a 39.0-yard average, with only one punt returned for asingle yard His first punt was downed on the Mississippi State three-yard line.
Clint Ruth True freshman has kicked off 30 times, with 24 returned, three outof bounds, three touchbacks, and one onsides.
Brandon Sanders Has kicked off 12 times, with 10 returned, one onside and onetouchback Also handled placekicking against Louisville and made both extra pointattempts.
Stephen Scaldaferri Saw his first varsity action by handling kickoff duties thelast two games Kicked off seven times, with two touchbacks and five returned Also made a tackle on a return vs. Vanderbilt Earned his chance by kicking offimpressively for the UK junior varsity team.
Kendrick Shanklin UK’s primary kickoff and punt returner Averaging 20.5yards on kickoff returns Averaging 1.1 yards on punt returns Led the SEC lastseason in punt returns with a 13.5-yard average, including a TD return vs. LouisianaState.
