Wildcat defensive end Vincent “Sweet Pea” Burns will play in The Villages Gridiron Classic All-Star Game on Sat. Jan. 15.

The game will be played in a North vs. South format with Virginia Tech Coach Frank Beamer and Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel serving as head coaches. Burns has been assigned to the North team and will wear his familiar uniform number 98. The game will be played at Polo Stadium in The Villages, Fla. Kickoff is slated for 11 a.m. and the game will be televised by ESPN2.

Slowed by knee and ankle injuries this season, Burns made 31 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss, caused two fumbles, recovered a fumble, had an interception, and broke up one pass. His best season came as a junior in 2003 when he led the Southeastern Conference with 18 tackles for loss and was a first-team All-SEC selection.

Burns is the eighth Wildcat to participate in the Gridiron Classic. The most recent UK participants were running back Derek Homer, cornerback Eric Kelly, defensive end Matt Layow, and linebacker Marlon McCree following the 2000 season.

Coaches on the Road This Week, Players Return Next Week: The Kentucky coaching staff is back on the road this week as recruiting resumes. Signing day is February 2.

The Wildcat players are in their final week of winter break before classes resume on Jan. 12.