Aug. 14, 2003

Thursday morning practice photo gallery

Defensive Backs Responding Well in Fall Camp: The Kentucky secondary is progressing nicely as the Wildcats inch closer to their season opener against Louisville on Aug. 31.Faced with learning the new 3-4-4 defensive scheme and dealing with the loss of three starters from a year ago, this group of safeties and cornerbacks has impressed secondary coach Steve Brown thus far.

“These guys are where they need to be right now,” Brown said. “They are showing steady progress in every practice and improving in the areas where they need to.”

Despite the loss of three starters from the 2002 squad, this secondary has some experience, with eight players who have seen significant playing time in their careers. That experience, combined with a solid spring practice, has given the group a chance to excel in the revamped defensive alignment.

“The corners and safeties worked very hard in the spring and came into fall camp focused,” Brown said. “Fortunately, they’ve been able to pick up where they left off in the spring and have been building on that foundation.”

When asked about specific individuals who have made an early impression, Brown is unable to point any one person out above the rest.

“This entire group is doing very well,” he said. “All of them are doing what we ask them to do and each one is contributing in the proper way right now.”

Kentucky started five defensive backs last season in the 4-2-5 alignment. Senior cornerback Leonard Burress and junior strong safety Mike Williams are returning starters. In addition, junior free safety Claude Sagaille, sophomore free safety Muhammad Abdullah, junior cornerback Earven Flowers, and sophomore cornerbacks Bo Smith, Warren Wilson, and Antoine Huffman have seen some game time during their careers.

Kentucky Football Calendar:

Fri. Aug. 15Practice, 2:45 – 5:45 p.m.

Sat. Aug. 16Practice, 8:45 – 11:45 a.m. and 3:45 – 5:45 p.m.

Sun. Aug. 17Practice, 3 – 6 p.m.

Mon. Aug. 18Practice, 8:45 – 11:45 a.m. and 3:45 – 5:45 p.m.

Tues. Aug. 19Practice, 3:15 – 6:15 p.m.

Wed. Aug. 20Practice, 8:45 – 11:45 a.m. and 3:45 – 5:45 p.m.

Thurs. Aug. 21Practice, 2:45 – 5:45 p.m.

Fri. Aug. 22Practice, 8:45 – 11:45 a.m. and 3:45 – 5:45 p.m.

Sat. Aug. 23Practice, 6:30 – 9 p.m.

Sun. Aug. 24Off

Mon. Aug. 25Practice, 3:15 – 6:15 p.m.

Tues. Aug. 26Practice, 3:15 – 6:15 p.m.

Wed. Aug. 27Classes begin

Practice, 3:15 – 6:15 p.m.

Thurs. Aug. 28Practice, 3:15 p.m.

Fri. Aug. 29Practice, 3:15 p.m.

Sun. Aug. 31Louisville at Kentucky, 6:30 p.m. EDT, televised by espn2

– UK –