Running Back Review: Kentucky has four running backs with game experience, all of whom are juniors, including tailbacks Arliss Beach and Draak Davis, fullback Rock Johnson, and fullback/tailback Alexis Bwenge. Beach led the team in rushing last season with 366 yards and eight touchdowns.
Following practice on Tuesday, running backs coach Ron Caragher gave a review of his group.
?We?re having a good fall camp,? Caragher said. ?I?m pleased with the off-season strength and conditioning program. They all came back a little stronger, a little bigger, a little faster and quicker. It?s much different than a year ago. Last year we had a unit with very little game experience. This year we have four guys with a lot of game experience.
?Arliss had a good spring when he was healthy and has had a good fall camp. Draak Davis came back 11 pounds stronger. He?s up to 186 pounds. Alexis came back stronger, which will help him at fullback. He?s taken most of his snaps at fullback but we?ve sprinkled him in at tailback and he doesn?t miss a beat when he does that. He?s very bright and picks things up quickly. You can plug him in at either position. Rock Johnson has a better understanding of the offense. Hopefully those four guys will take the next step as a unit.?
A pair of freshmen could enter the picture. Rafael Little has been sidelined since having knee surgery during the summer. Tony Dixon, who began fall practice as a cornerback, got a look at tailback in Tuesday?s practice and made a good first impression with several nice runs.
?We?re hoping to get Rafael back next week. I?m anxious to get him on the field and see what he can do,? Caragher said. ?Tony Dixon looked like a natural at the position (in Tuesday?s practice). We gave him a first look at cornerback because we are a little thinner there. Coach (Rich) Brooks wanted to take a look at him at running back. He looked pretty natural with good speed and quickness.?
The Wildcats return to the Nutter Training Facility practice field on Wednesday for a pair of workouts.
Student Season Ticket Sales Break the Record: With exactly one month to go before the home opener, University of Kentucky students already have broken the school record for most student season tickets purchased. UK students have set purchased 2,410 season tickets for the upcoming season, breaking last year?s record of 2,387.
