Aug. 10, 2001
Kentucky Football Notebook: First Day of Practice
The full squad of the Kentucky football team practiced for the first time with a pair of workouts Friday, including an intense two-hour and 15-minute morning session and a two-hour afternoon practice in hot, humid conditions at the Nutter Training Center. The Wildcats broke off into position drills before concluding both practices with team work.
“Good first day, the kids were enthusiastic,” Coach Guy Morriss said. “I was really impressed with the retention they had from spring training. I think they’re in good shape, they’re pushing themselves hard, the intensity is up, enthusiasm is up, and I can’t ask for more on day one.”
One popular topic coming into fall practice is the competition at quarterback as both sophomore Jared Lorenzen and redshirt freshman Shane Boyd are competing for the starting nod.
“Both of them had pretty good days,” Morriss said. “I think Jared probably had the better day — that’s the experience factor coming through — but both are battling out there.”
Lorenzen, last year’s starting quarterback who led the Southeastern Conference in passing with 3,687 yards, agreed that that the first day went smoothly.
“I think the first practice went really well,” stated Lorenzen. “The offense really jelled together and we looked extremely good on our three-step drops. The defense threw some new looks at us in the afternoon and it took us towards the end of practice to start getting hot but it was a great first day and we’re excited about it.”
Lorenzen and senior tight end Jermaine White had some big plays during the morning practice. Forced to scramble on two occasions, Lorenzen connected with redshirt freshman wide receiver Daniel Hopewell for approximately a 40-yard gain and later Lorenzen hit White with a 20-yarder on a similar play. White also caught a pass from redshirt freshman QB Trey Barclay and split the defense for a long touchdown.
The defense appeared to carry the day in the afternoon. Senior outside safety Chris Gayton and senior linebacker Jamal White each had interception returns for touchdowns. Senior cornerback Jeremy Bowie had a pickoff and returned it for a touchdown in the morning practice.
Morriss gave credit to the offensive performance but stated the defensive unit has the edge right now as the offense continues to work on timing and execution.
“I thought the running game was good today, we pushed the pile and our passing was more crisp that it has been,” Morriss said. “Defensively we showed a lot of intensity and looked good out there. Jamal White keeps showing up, (cornerback) Derrick Tatum had a good morning and (defensive end) Dennis (Johnson) was in the backfield a few times. We had several guys on the defensive side the ball look decent out there today.”
Kentucky returns to the practice field on Saturday at 9 a.m and again at 3 p.m. The annual Fans’ Day will be held Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in Commonwealth Stadium.
Fans’ Day Set for August 12: The annual UK Football Fans’ Day is scheduled for Sunday, August 12. The event begins at 2:30 p.m., with free hot dogs and Pepsi available to the first 1,200 fans. Posters and schedule cards will be given away. The 2001 UK football media guide will be on sale for $10 each. Fans should enter the stadium at gate 4 and gate 9 of the west end zone (Nicholasville Road side). The players will be introduced on the field at 3 p.m. The players will go to the stadium concourse for autographs and photos with the fans.
– UK –
