Final Southeastern Conference Offensive Statistics Released; Abney Wins Two SEC Titles: The final Southeastern Conference offensive statistics have been released and, for the second year in a row, Kentucky senior wide receiver/kick returner Derek Abney has won two league statistical championships.
The versatile Abney led the SEC in all-purpose yardage with 151.8 yards per game and also won the league championship for kickoff returns with an average of 24.1 yards per return. It was the second year in a row for Abney to win the KOR championship.
During the 2002 season, Abney won the SEC kickoff return and punt return titles, becoming the first player in league history to lead both return categories in the same season.
Media and fans should note that statistics became finalized following the bowl games. Since 2002, bowl games have been included in official NCAA statistics; prior to 2002, bowl games did not count in official stats.
UK Posts Second-Highest Scoring Average For New Coaching Staff: Final stats show that the Kentucky offense averaged 27.3 points per game during the 2003 season, the second-highest scoring average for a new coaching staff in Kentucky history.
In the modern era (post-World War II), Kentucky has had 10 head coaches. Here?s how their teams ranked in points per game during their first seasons as head coaches:
Hal Mumme, 1997 – 31.6 points per game
Rich Brooks, 2003 – 27.3
Guy Morriss, 2001 – 23.5
Bear Bryant, 1946 – 23.3
Bill Curry, 1990 – 20.8
Fran Curci, 1973 – 20.5
Blanton Collier, 1954 – 15.1
John Ray, 1969 – 10.4
Jerry Claiborne, 1982 – 8.7
Charlie Bradshaw, 1962 – 8.5
Looking Ahead to the UK Offense in 2004: Six starters are slated to return for the Kentucky offense in the 2004 season, including OG Jason Rollins, OT Matt Huff, TE Jeremiah Drobney, WR Tommy Cook, TB Arliss Beach, and FB Alexis Bwenge.
Additional returning players with significant game experience include TE Bruce Fowler, WR Glenn Holt, WR Keenan Burton, TB Draak Davis, FB Ronald ?Rock? Johnson, and QB Shane Boyd.
The return of an experienced quarterback in Boyd will be important for Kentucky as the Wildcats must replace QB Jared Lorenzen, the leading passer in school history, along with All-America wide receiver/kick returner Derek Abney, All-SEC tackle Antonio Hall, and two other starters in the line, guard Sylvester Miller and center Nick Seitze.
A total of 19 lettermen return on offense. Also competing for playing time in spring practice will be several returning non-lettermen, six freshman redshirts, and three junior college transfers, tight end Jamir Davis, wide receiver Scott Mitchell and offensive lineman Ernie Pelayo.
