Aug. 12, 2002
Morriss Pleased With First Practice: The Kentucky football team held its first practice of fall camp with a two-hour workout Monday morning at the Nutter Training Facility. The team will work out in helmets, shoulder pads, and shorts until Thursday, when NCAA regulations allow full pads and full contact.
Here are the observations from Coach Guy Morriss following the practice:
“It was a pretty good practice,” Morriss said. “The tempo was good. Overall, the attitude was great.”
Morriss is not just watching how well the team practices, but also the way the team practices. “I want every drill, every snap made full speed,” the coach said. “We can go in shoulder pads and shorts and get the work we want if we’re smart.”
In terms of learning, the Wildcats are far ahead of where they were at this time last year. “Within two days we’ll have everything (playing schemes) put in. Last year we went through half of camp before everything was put in. We’re off to a good start.”
Morriss will try to keep practices as short as possible during two-a-days. “We’ll practice for two hours in the morning and emphasize the running game on offense and defense,” Morriss said. “We’ll try to keep it at an hour and 45 minutes in the afternoon and emphasize the passing game. We’re also emphasizing how important it is for the players to take care of their bodies drink a lot of water, get in the cold tubs after practice, and get their rest.”
The team is stronger than it was a year ago, thanks to the stringent emphasis that Morriss puts on the off-season strength program. “There’s no question that we’re stronger (than last season),” Morriss said. “I’m excited to see where we’ll be a year from now.”
The Wildcats return to the practice field Monday at 4 p.m.
Dear Diary: Senior linebacker Ronnie Riley and freshman offensive lineman Hayden Lane will publish training-camp diaries on the football page of the ukathletics.com Web site. The first editions of the players’ diaries have been posted on the Web site. The players were chosen in order to give fans the perspective of a fifth-year senior and a first-year player.
Read Riley’s diary HERE and read Lane’s HERE.
Jefferson-Pilot Preview to be Televised: The annual Jefferson-Pilot Sports 30-minute television show previewing the Southeastern Conference will be shown in the following markets in the Kentucky area:
Bowling Green, Ky. WNKY Sun. Aug. 25, 10:30 p.m CTCharleston, W. V. WVAH Sat. Aug. 17, noon ETCincinnati, Ohio WBQC Sat. Aug. 31, 11:30 a.m. ETEvansville, Ind. WTVW Sat. Aug. 17, 5:30 p.m CTLexington, Ky. WKYT Sun. Aug. 18, 1:30 p.m. ETLouisville, Ky. WAVE Sun. Aug. 25, 12:30 p.m. ETPaducah, Ky. KFVS Sun. Aug. 25, noon CT
Kentucky Football Calendar:
Aug. 12-17 Practice, 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.Aug. 18 No practiceAug. 19-23 Practice, 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.Aug. 23 Kickoff LuncheonAug. 24 Practice, 9 a.m. Fans' Day at Commonwealth Stadium, 7 p.m.Aug. 25 No practiceAug. 26-29 Practice, 2 p.m.Aug. 28 Fall classes beginSept. 1 Kentucky at Louisville, 6 p.m., televised by ESPN2
