Wildcats Have First Scrimmage: As expected, the defense dominated Kentucky’s first full-scale scrimmage of 2004 spring practice Saturday afternoon at Commonwealth Stadium.
“The first(-team) defense did a good job. The first defense dominated until the goal-line part of the scrimmage,” Coach Rich Brooks said. “I really think that the defensive front is controlling the tempo. The defensive front should be, and is, ahead of the offensive front.”
The first-team defense, which features nine returning starters from last season, played seven series against the first- and second-team offenses. The first defense allowed no points and surrendered just 62 yards and four first downs during those series.
The first defense also claimed a pair of turnovers, an interception by cornerback Karl Booker and a fumble that was caused by linebacker Dennis Johnson. Linebacker Dustin Williams added a quarterback sack.
The second-team defense also handled itself well against the second-team offense, allowing no points and only two first downs in four series.
The first-team offense, guided by senior quarterback Shane Boyd, picked up steam when playing the second-team defense. The offense was stopped on its first possession, then on the next series drove 55 yards to the 10-yard line. Kicker Clint Ruth provided points with a 28-yard field goal.
The first offense showed its big-play ability on the next two possessions. With the ball placed on the 35-yard line, wide receiver Keenan Burton took a pitchout on an end-around, out-raced the containment around end, faked off two would-be tacklers, and sped 65 yards for a touchdown.
With the ball returned to the 35-yard line for the next series, lightning struck again. Junior wide receiver Glenn Holt caught a short slant pass from Boyd, broke two tackles, and zipped 65 yards for the touchdown.
“We have some big-play capability on offense but have to be more consistent,” Brooks said. “The quarterbacks have thrown more accurately in practices than they did today in the scrimmage. We need to get past that.”
Burton showed his explosiveness on two occasions. In addition to the 65-yard TD run, he got open for a long 41-yard reception from Boyd. He also showed his toughness on the play by holding on to the ball when he got smashed by a pair of defenders immediately upon making the catch.
Totaling his work against the first and second teams, Boyd completed 8 of 14 for 140 yards and one TD. He also rushed six times for 25 yards and showed his ability to scramble his way out of trouble. Redshirt freshman AndreWoodson quarterbacked the second team offense and also played a couple of series with the third team. He saw action against all three defensive units and completed 3 of 10 for 42 yards.
UK’s young offensive line played with mixed results. The line did get a boost from the return of senior Matt Huff. A two-year starter at left tackle, Huff had missed the first week of the spring while rehabilitating a leg injury. He returned to practice this week and is receiving a trial at right guard.
“The offensive line is not protecting (the quarterback) and not coming off the ball as well as we need to,” Brooks said. “The line has made progress but still has a long way to go. We’re taking a good look at Huff at guard to see if that’s a viable option. We’re trying to see how we can put our best combination together.”
The third-team offensive and defensive units played seven series against each other. Five different quarterbacks worked with the third team. Senior Trey Barclay directed the only scoring drive, a 52-yard march that ended with a 31-yard field goal by kicker Taylor Begley. The big play on the drive came on fourth-and-one on the 44-yard line when junior tailback Andrew Hopewell found a seam and raced 36 yards to the eight, setting up the field goal.
The effective work by the third-team defense was keyed by defensive end B. Jay Parsons. Parsons, a junior-college transfer, seemed to be all over the field. He accounted for a fumble recovery, a pass breakup, and made three tackles for loss.
The bright spot of the day for the offense came at the end of the scrimmage when the team worked on goal-line situations. With the ball placed inside the 10-yard line, the first-team offense scored all four possessions against the first-team defense, including three touchdown runs by junior running back Alexis Bwenge and one TD by junior tailback Draak Davis. Redshirt freshman J. J. Bennett also ran for a touchdown when the second-team offense took on the second defense in a goal-line series.
In the special-teams segment of practice, backup punter Sevin Sucurovic saw all the action while starting punter Anthony Thornton is out with an injury. Sucurovic punted six times for a 44.2-yard average. In the field goal work, Begley made three out of four with Ruth converted two of three.
The Wildcats return to the practice field Monday at 3:40 p.m. at the Nutter Training Facility. Another major scrimmage is scheduled for Apr. 17. The annual Blue-White Game, signifying the end of spring practice, is set for Sat. Apr. 24 at 1 p.m.
Scrimmage Statistics (includes first, second, and third team stats but does not include the goal-line scrimmage):
Rushing — Burton 1-65 1 TD, D. Davis 6-56, Hopewell 2-38, Boyd 6-25, Bwenge 4-20, Bennett 3-11, King 3-10, Sprowles 3-7, Napier 2-2, Lewis 2-2, Johnson 1-0, Maragas 3-0, Barclay 1-(-4), Woodson 8-(-6), Logan 1-(-12). Note: rushing totals include one quarterback sack of Boyd and Maragas and two sacks of Woodson.
Passing — Boyd 8-14-0, 140 yards, one TD; Woodson 3-10-1 42 yards; Landry 1-2-0, 8 yards; Barclay 1-3-0, 6 yards; Hamilton 0-2-0 0 yards; Maragas 1-2-0, -1 yard.
Receiving — Holt 2-75 1 TD, Bwenge 2-12, Bennett 2-5, D. Davis 2-(-7), Burton 1-41, Parker 1-24, Mitchell 1-18, Hopewell 1-13, King 1-8, Drobney 1-6.
Punting — Sucurovic 6-44.2 avg.
Field goals — Begley 3 of 4 (31, 33, 40 good; 33 no good); Ruth 2 of 3 (28, 36 good; 40 no good)
Ortmayer Featured on Live Chat: Kentucky assistant head coach/special teams coordinator/tight ends coach Steve Ortmayer will be featured on a live chat session on ukathletics.com on Tuesday, April 13 at 12 noon. Fans may submit questions in advance or during the chat session by clicking on the link on the front page of uakthletics.com.
Brooks Call-In Show to be Held April 20: Coach Rich Brooks will have his spring practice radio call-in show on Tues. Apr. 20 from 7-9 p.m. at Damon’s Restaurant in Lexington. The show is produced by Host Communications and UK play-by-play announcer Tom Leach will serve as host. Brooks will give his observations on the team’s progress during the spring as the Wildcats prepare for the Blue/White Game.
Kentucky Football Calendar:
Mon. Apr. 12 Practice, 3:40 p.m. at Nutter Training Center
Wed. Apr. 14 Practice, 3:40 p.m. at Nutter Training Center
Fri. Apr. 16 Practice, 3:40 p.m. at Nutter Training Center
Sat. Apr. 17 Practice, 1 p.m.; location TBA
Mon. Apr. 19 Practice, 3:40 p.m. at Nutter Training Center
Tue. Apr. 20 Rich Brooks Call-in Radio Show, 7-9 p.m., from Damon’s Restaurant in Lexington
Wed. Apr. 21 Practice, 3:40 p.m. at Nutter Training Center
Fri. Apr. 23 Practice, 3:40 p.m. at Nutter Training Center
Sat. Apr. 24 Blue/White Spring Football Game, 1 p.m. at Commonwealth Stadium
