Abney, Burns Named First-Team All-SEC by CollegeFootballNews.com: Kentucky wide receiver/kick returner Derek Abney and defensive end Vincent ?Sweet Pea? Burns have been named first-team All-Southeastern Conference by CollegeFootballNews.com.
The versatile Abney led the SEC in all-purpose yardage with an average of 151.8 yards per game and in kickoff returns with a 24.1-yard average. He led the Wildcats in receiving with 51 catches for 616 yards and five touchdowns; averaged 9.8 yards on punt returns, including one touchdown; and had 11 rushes for 148 yards, an average of 13.5 yards per carry.
Abney finished his career with five NCAA records, 11 SEC records, and 14 school records for kick returns and all-purpose yardage. He became the only player in NCAA history to reach 2,000 receiving yards, 2,000 kickoff- return yards, and 1,000 punt-return yards in a career.
Abney also was named first-team All-SEC by The Associated Press, SEC Coaches, and Southeastern Football Saturdays magazine.
Burns led the SEC with 18 tackles for loss. He totaled 72 tackles, most by a UK defensive lineman since noseguard Joey Couch in 1991. Burns also had 2.5 quarterback sacks, one fumble caused, one fumble recovery, one safety, and a team-high 10 quarterback hurries.
Burns also was picked first-team All-SEC by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Southeastern Football Saturdays.
Hall to Play in the East-West Shrine Game: Senior offensive tackle Antonio Hall will be playing in the East-West Shrine Game on Sat. Jan. 10 in Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, Calif.
Hall will wear uniform No. 73 for the East team. The game is slated for a 2 p.m. EST kickoff and will be televised by ESPN.
Hall was chosen first-team All-SEC in 2003 by The Associated Press and the SEC Coaches. He showed his toughness by playing all season with a nagging hip injury, protecting the blind side of left-handed quarterback Jared Lorenzen. He totaled 68 knockdown blocks during the season. Hall also was a first-team All-SEC pick in 2002 by the SEC Coaches and a second-team selection by the AP that year.
Hall is the 26th Kentucky player or coach to compete in the East-West Game. The first were lineman Ray Correll and end Steve Meilinger in 1954 (following the 1953 season) and the most recent was running back Anthony White in 2000, following the 1999 season.
Coaches Return to Recruiting Trail: The Kentucky football coaches have returned from the annual American Football Coaches Association Convention and have resumed recruiting. Signing day for high school players is Wed. Feb. 4.
Players Return Next Week: The University of Kentucky holiday break continues this week. The players will return for the beginning of the spring semester on Jan. 14.
