Jan. 15, 2003
Abney, Hall, Lorenzen Return for Senior Seasons: Wide receiver/kick returner Derek Abney, offensive tackle Antonio Hall, and quarterback Jared Lorenzen, who considered forgoing their senior seasons in order to enter the National Football League draft, have decided to remain at the University of Kentucky to continue their studies and play for the Wildcats in 2003.
“One part (about deciding to stay) was wanting to earn a trip to a bowl game,” Abney said. “I still have things I need to work on and it was in my best interest to come back another year.
“The coaching staff is phenomenal. I’m very impressed with the NFL experience they’re bringing with them. I got a great feeling about Coach Brooks (head coach Rich Brooks). When I met him, he made it apparent that he wants to win and win now. I really like Coach Phillips (receivers coach Joker Phillips). He’ll be great for the receivers and the team. And, Coach Hudson (offensive coordinator Ron Hudson) accomplished so much at Kansas State. They won 11 games four of the last five years and I wanted to be a part of that kind of success.”
Abney was named first-team All-America by eight various selectors following the 2002 season. He returned six kicks for touchdowns and broke or tied five NCAA records, nine Southeastern Conference records and 10 school records for kick returns. He averaged 15.1 yards per punt return, including four touchdowns (at Florida, at Arkansas, two at Mississippi State). He averaged 26.8 yards on kickoff returns with touchdowns at Florida and vs. Vanderbilt. He was the only player who ranked in the nation’s top 11 in punt returns, kickoff returns, and all-purpose yardage.
Abney also is a quality wide receiver. He caught 40 passes for 569 yards and four touchdowns last season and ranks third in school history in pass receptions and pass receiving yardage.
“Primarily, my teammates,” Hall said when asked his reason for staying. “If I had left I felt like I would be abandoning my teammates and I didn’t want to have that feeling of abandonment. I’ve had some tough times with my family since I’ve been here and my teammates have been here for me during those times.
“I want to be a leader on this year’s team and hopefully help lead us to a bowl game and the SEC Championship.”
Hall, a first-team All-SEC selection by the league Coaches and the Birmingham News, was the cornerstone of the offensive line that helped Kentucky score 32.1 points per game last season, which ranked second in the league. He blocked for the SEC’s leading rusher, Artose Pinner. Stationed at right tackle, he is the blindside protector for the left-handed Lorenzen. Hall had 74 knockdown blocks last season, including a season-high 14 against Louisiana State.
Also highly dedicated to community service, he was one of only 11 Division I-A players selected to the AFCA National Good Works Team.
“I decided to come back because of Coach Brooks and Coach Hudson,” Lorenzen said. “When I met Coach Brooks, it was obvious that he is the head coach and means business, but he also seemed like a friend.
“When Coach Hudson started talking ‘Xs and Os (i.e. offensive system and plays),’ I loved what I saw. He wants to get this team and this offense going.
“I have to prove myself to the NFL. What they (the new coaches) are going to do will help me get ready for the next level I believe that one more year with this staff definitely will be worth it.”
Lorenzen matured greatly as a field general last season, leading the Wildcats to a 7-5 record, only the seventh time since 1954 that UK has won seven or more games. He completed 183 of 327 passes for 2,267 yards. Most impressive was his ratio of 24 touchdown passes against only five interceptions. He attempted 152 consecutive passes without an interception, a school record and the eighth-longest streak in SEC history. Kentucky generated 32.1 points per game, ranking second in the league in scoring.
Lorenzen was a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award and a second-team All-SEC pick by The Associated Press and SEC Coaches.
Wildcats in the All-Star Games: Wildcats participating in the post-season all-star games include wide receiver Aaron Boone, defensive end Otis Grigsby, tight end Chase Harp, punter Glenn Pakulak, and running back Artose Pinner. Here is a list of the games and the players who will participate in each game:
Senior Bowl (Pinner), Sat. Jan. 18, 2 p.m. EST, Mobile, Ala., televised by ESPN
Paradise Bowl (Boone, Grigsby, Harp), Sat. Jan. 25, 1 p.m. EST, St. George, Utah, televised by Fox Sports Network
Rotary Gridiron Classic (no UK players), Sat. Jan. 25, 2 p.m. EST, Orlando, Fla., televised by espn2
Hula Bowl Maui (Pakulak), Sat. Feb. 1, 9 p.m. EST, Wailuku, Hawaii, televised by ESPN. Pakulak also will be honored with the Mosi Tatupu Award as the National Special Teams Player of the Year during the week of the Hula Bowl.
Welcome Back: The Wildcats have returned to campus to begin classes and the off-season workout program. The spring semester began Jan. 15.
Kentucky Football Calendar
Wed. Jan. 15 – Spring semester begins
Wed. Feb. 5 – High school signing period begins
Mon. March 31 – Spring practice begins
Sat. Apr. 26 – Blue/White Spring Football Game
July 29-31 – SEC Football Media Days; Kentucky appearance is Tue. July 29
Mon. Aug. 4 – Newcomers report
Thu. Aug. 7 – Veterans report
Fri. Aug. 8 – Kentucky Football Media Day
Sat. Aug. 30 – Louisville at Kentucky
– UK –
