Aug. 26, 2002
Wildcat Den
Commonwealth Stadium
Head Coach Guy Morriss
On what it will take to beat Louisville…
“After watching parts of some ballgames this weekend – kickoff classics, NFL games – I think the number one thing we can do to help ourselves win this game is hold on to the football. I thought there were a lot of games that were decided by turnovers, blocked punts and interceptions. We’re going to remind our ball handlers to hold on to the football.
“We just have to go out and play our style of football, which is to be relaxed, have the motor going internally, but not be so tight that we can’t execute our offense and defense. I felt that was part of our problem last year. We were so pent up with emotion that we couldn’t relax and play football.
“We will have to deal with, I’m sure, a fierce pass rush. Plus on the other side of the football, we have to put some heat on (Louisville quarterback) Dave Ragone. We can’t let him stand back there for three or four seconds or he’ll kill you.”
On Louisville’s improvement…
“They’ve done a great job with recruiting, especially in the states of Florida and Alabama, recruiting speed and athleticism. They’re coached really well, also. They have a lot of talent on their team and they believe in Coach (John L.) Smith and what he’s doing.”
On stopping defensive end Dewayne White…
“We have to be disciplined enough at the tackle position to execute our technique. He’s certainly a great player and pass-rusher. We’ll know where he is at all times, and I know he’s going to flip-flop positions, so both of our tackles are going to have to bring their ‘A-games’ and be conscious of his ability.”
On the placekicker position…
“I’m going to talk to Coach Nelson today and see how he feels about it. He’s the closest to those guys, knows them better than anybody and understands their personalities. So we’ll make a decision based on what Coach Nelson recommends.”
On Jared Lorenzen…
“Last year at this time, I felt I had to start over with Jared. We wanted him to mature a little more in the area of leadership and I wanted him to be a better student. He was beginning to make progress but I think at this point he has turned the corner. He’s done a great job in the classroom over the past year – I don’t even have to worry about that anymore. And I think from a leadership and maturity standpoint, he’s come a long way. I think the fact that he’s a father now has been a real plus for him.”
On Shane Boyd and the quarterback situation…
“Obviously he wants to be on the football field. Both of our quarterbacks have had great attitudes through this whole deal. Shane is probably Jared’s biggest fan, and he’s going to help him get ready. And at the same time, if the opportunity presents itself, Shane will be ready to step on the field.
“It’s a competitive situation, but it’s really healthy. They both complement each other, work well with each other and support each other. The first guy that’s going to coach up Jared on the sideline is going to be Shane and vice versa. We saw that last year and it’s just gotten stronger.”
KENTUCKY PLAYERS
Aaron Boone, Wide Receiver
On the wide receiving corps…
“With such a big-time receiver as Derek Abney he grabs a great deal of the defensive attention. Tommy Cook, Ernest Simms, and myself had a chance in the second half of last season to really pick up our numbers because opposing defenses were so locked in on Derek. The attention he draws opens the field up for the rest of us.”
On the excitement of the team heading into the opening game…
“We’re excited. This has been the best fall camp that I’ve ever been a part of. We’re excited for the season to get started. This first game is where we get a chance to start the season in the right direction.”
Jeremy Caudill, Defensive Tackle
On how the secondary will fare against Louisville…
“As a defensive line we need to get pressure on the quarterback and not give him much time to throw. The more pressure we can get on the quarterback the more it’ll help the secondary cover. We’ve got a great group of guys in the secondary and they’re talented, so I know they’re going to do a great job for us.”
On Otis Grigsby and Vincent Burns…
“Otis has done a wonderful job in the off-season. He gained some weight and got a lot stronger. He looks just as fast as he’s ever been and he’s a great player. Vincent has an uncanny ability to get to the ball. Regardless of where he is on the field it just seems like he finds a way to get to the ball.”
On Jared Lorenzen…
“Jared’s a really good quarterback. He has good speed for his size. Once you do get to him he’s so big that it’s hard to bring him down. And he can throw off his back foot for sixty yards. He has all the tools that a good quarterback needs and he does a great job.”
Keith Chatelain, Offensive Lineman
On the media’s hype of the Louisville game…
“For me, it doesn’t really matter. I’ve been stuck in the dorms and haven’t really been paying attention to it, but what the media says doesn’t mean much to me. They could say anything about how good Louisville might be, but we still have to get out there and play the game. They’re the same as we are – they eat, breathe, bleed the same. It’ll be decided on the field.”
On preparing for this season…
“As much as we’ve done, we’re more than prepared. The biggest extent of taking it easy or not hitting for us is not bringing tackles all the way to the ground. You don’t want people to get tangled and have someone fall wrong. But we hit plenty. You have to, to know what its like to face a 220-pound running back, or a 300-pound defensive lineman.”
Artose Pinner, Running Back
On playing the role of the underdog…
“The great thing about football is that anyone can win on any given day. The game is unpredictable and we know that we control our destiny when we step on the field.”
On being in the same system as last year…
“This year we’re all more confident in what we’re trying to do. We feel better with the schemes on both sides of the ball and we’re eager and confident to get out there on Sunday and get the season started.”
Ronnie Riley, Linebacker
On his preparation for this season after his 2001 injury…
“I’m ready to play. It’s been pretty close to 320 days since I last stepped onto the field. I’m really excited. A little jittery, but mostly excited.”
