Aug. 11, 2001
Aug. 11, 2001
Kentucky Football Notebook
Fans’ Day Set for Sunday: 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.
Second Day of Practice: Clouds and cooler temperatures greeted the Kentucky football team as the Wildcats went through their second day of full-squad workouts at the Nutter Training Center. The Wildcats participated in an enthusiastic two-hour morning session and a two-hour afternoon practice to end the day.
Kentucky went through a series of position drills before culminating the morning session with an intense team period. One of the plays of the day featured sophomore running back Chad Scott’s 45-yard touchdown run against the first-team defense.
“I think Chad’s improved strength will allow us to give him the ball around 15 to 20 times a game – I feel he’s very capable of doing that, ” Coach Guy Morriss said. “He really slides nice and he’s patient – he lets things happen and has a good feel for the cutback. He’s a gifted athlete and a great kid and should have a big year for us.”
Both quarterbacks faced pressure and stunting from an attacking defense as sophomore Jared Lorenzen lined up with the second-team offense while redshirt freshman Shane Boyd took snaps with the first team. Offensive coordinator Brent Pease explained that the quarterbacks are making progress and each would receive equal times with both units.
“What were doing is working Shane with the first team in the morning and Jared in the afternoon,” Pease stated. “They’ve shown effective timing and rhythm and at this point, Jared feels really comfortable with things. Shane likes a challenge, believes in his arm and likes to take make the big throws but he’s got to learn to take what’s obvious when it’s there. I liked that they both showed they’re comfortable in the pocket.”
On the defensive side of the ball, Morriss gave credit to a swarming tackling effort and recognized the defensive line for their efforts in the morning session. Sophomore Dewayne Robertson had a tackle for loss and senior Chris Demaree sacked Lorenzen rushing from right end.
“Both of our starting ends were doing a great job (Demaree and junior Dennis Johnson), they’re really flying to the football,” Morriss commented. Dewayne (Robertson) was in the backfield quite a bit and those guys were all really getting to the ball – I like the way they are swarming – that’s what we’ve got to have out there.”
Atwell Transfer Now Official: Travis Atwell, the 1999 “Mr. Football” in the commonwealth of Kentucky, has been accepted as a transfer student at the University of Kentucky and now is an official member of the UK football team.
Atwell transferred from the University of Toledo, where he was a freshman redshirt during the 2000 season. The 6-1, 215-pound Atwell played quarterback at Toledo, but moves to defensive back at Kentucky.
“Travis is very athletic, with good size and great speed,” Coach Guy Morriss said. “He is a bright young man and is excited to be a Wildcat. We’re excited to have him.”
Atwell will practice with the team this season, but will be ineligible to play because of the transfer rule. He will have three years of eligibility beginning with the 2002 season.
Atwell was chosen first-team all-state by The Associated Press as a senior. He played quarterback and defensive back at Hancock County (Ky.) High School, leading his team to a 13-2 record and state runner-up finish in Class A. During his senior year, he passed for 2,486 yards and 34 touchdowns and ran for 2,308 yards and 38 TDs. He intercepted 11 passes as a free safety, returning one for a touchdown, and also had punt and kickoff returns for TDs.
In addition to his “Mr. Football” and all-state laurels, Atwell was an honorable-mention All-America selection by USA Today and chosen for the “Class of the Commonwealth” listing of the state’s top seniors by the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Having Atwell join the team extended a five-year string of Kentucky “Mr. Football” winners who have played with the Wildcats – Tim Couch (1995), Derek Homer (1996), Dennis Johnson (1997), Jared Lorenzen (1998), and Atwell (1999).
Three Wildcats on Pre-Season National Award Watch Lists: Three Wildcats, senior kicker Seth Hanson, sophomore quarterback Jared Lorenzen, and junior tight end Derek Smith, have been chosen for pre-season “watch lists” for national awards.
Hanson is on the pre-season list for the Lou Groza Award, which goes to the nation’s best kicker. Hanson made 15 of 17 field goals last season, setting a school record by making 88.2 percent of his attempts. He holds six school records for kicking during his career and was a semifinalist for the 2000 Groza Award. The award is presented by the Palm Beach County (Fla.) Sports Commission. For more information, check website www.palmbeachsports.com/Groza.
Lorenzen is on the pre-season list for the Davey O’Brien Award, presented to the nation’s outstanding quarterback. Lorenzen set six NCAA freshman records last season as he completed 321 of 559 passes for 3,687 yards and 19 touchdowns. He added 140 net rushing yards and five rushing TDs. For more information, check website www.daveyobrien.com.
Smith is on the pre-season list for the Rotary Lombardi Award, presented to the nation’s outstanding lineman. Smith was a consensus All-SEC choice last season after catching 50 passes for 716 yards and five touchdowns. He was a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award that is given to the nation’s top tight end. The Lombardi Award is presented by the Rotary Club of Houston. For more information, check website www.rotarylombardiaward.com.
UK Football Calendar: Here are some upcoming events for Kentucky football:Aug. 12Fans’ Day at Commonwealth Stadium, 2:30 p.m.Aug. 13Practice, 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.Aug. 14First practice in pads, 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.Aug. 15Practice, 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.Aug. 16Practice, 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.Aug. 17Practice, 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.Aug. 18Practice 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.Aug. 19OffAug. 20Practice, 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.Aug. 21Practice, 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.Aug. 22Classes begin, practice at 2 p.m.Aug. 24Kickoff LuncheonSept. 1Louisville at Kentucky, 12:30 p.m. EDT, JP Sports live regional TV
– UK –
