Because of injuries and other factors, Chuck Smith has had to deal with some changes during his first spring as Kentucky linebackers coach, but one constant has been the steady play delivered by Raymond Fontaine.
?Raymond is our only senior (linebacker) now, so he has to play the role of a leader. I?m really pleased with the way he has done that,? Smith said. ?He has game experience, and there?s no substitute for that. He has the ability to be a big-play linebacker and a great attitude toward work.?
Smith noted that Fontaine has helped set the tone for his younger teammates.
?Their attitude toward work has been really good,? Smith said. ?They?re working hard to make plays, although young guys have to learn how to get into position to make a play. The little things make a difference.?
Fontaine?s challenge this spring has been adjusting to playing weakside linebacker in the 4-3 defensive alignment as opposed to the 3-4 scheme used last season.
?The pass coverages are similar and the reads are similar. Adjusting to the run responsibilities is the biggest change,? said Fontaine, who is a Canadian from Ottawa, Ontario. ?Now I am much more active against the run. I was more of a support player last year.?
Fontaine has been a part-time starter the last two seasons, accounting for 33 tackles each year. With the end of spring practice drawing near, he is pleased with what he?s seen.
?Spring practice is going well, although the defense always has room to improve,? he said. ?Our defensive players are focused and together, wanting the same dream.?
The Wildcats have their final practice of the spring on Friday, plus the Blue/White Spring Game on Sat. Apr. 23 at 1 p.m. at Commonwealth Stadium.
Brown, Mitchell to Miss Remainder of Spring: Redshirt freshman quarterback Joe Joe Brown and senior wide receiver Scott Mitchell were not at today?s practice and will miss the remainder of this week?s work, Coach Rich Brooks announced Wednesday.
Brown is concentrating on academic responsibilities. Mitchell underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia and is expected to be fully recovered when practice resumes in August.
Kentucky Football Calendar (practices held in Commonwealth Stadium or Nutter Field House):
Fri. Apr. 22 – Practice, 9-11 a.m.
Sat. Apr. 23 – Blue/White Spring Game, 1 p.m., Commonwealth Stadium
Blue/White Spring Football Game Information:
The Blue/White Spring Football Game will be Sat. Apr. 23 at 1 p.m. at Commonwealth Stadium
Admission and parking are free to everyone and are first-come, first-served.
The Wildcat Refuge play area for children will open at 11 a.m. at its usual location outside Gate 9.
Fans are invited to interview for Kentucky football television commercials beginning at 10 a.m. (see more information below)
The varsity will play all four quarters of the game. The annual flag football event will be held during halftime of the varsity game.
WLAP Radio (630 on the AM dial) will have extensive coverage of the Blue/White Game. WLAP?s broadcast will begin at noon.
Most Devoted Fans Sought for New Kentucky Football Commercials: Die-hard UK football fans will get the chance to audition for a series of commercials which will air state-wide throughout this summer. The spots will highlight the passion UK football fans have for their Wildcats.
UK Athletics and its advertising agent, Cornett Advertising, will hold the auditions on Sat. Apr. 23 at 10 a.m. at Commonwealth Stadium, prior to the Blue/White Spring Game which begins at 1 p.m.
The auditions will be in the form of interviews and will be taped and reviewed by a panel of judges. Fans that most impress the judges with their enthusiasm and dedication to the UK football team will be called back in May to film the actual commercials.
UK Athletics wants fans to demonstrate their exuberance and excitement for their team. Fans interested in auditioning on Apr. 23 should enter Gate 1 at Commonwealth Stadium and should dress as they normally do for a UK football game.
Season-Ticket Renewal Deadline is April 25: The deadline for renewal of Kentucky football season tickets is Monday, April 25. Tickets may be renewed over the Internet at ukathletics.com, in-person at the UK Athletics Ticket Office in Memorial Coliseum, or by mail. Fans who renew at ukathletics.com will save the $10 processing fee. This option will be open only through April 25.
In addition, fans may bring their season-ticket renewals to the Blue/White Spring Football Game on Apr. 23. UK ticket-office personnel will be available to accept renewals from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Gate 4 and Gate 9 of Commonwealth Stadium.
UK Football Tickets Continue Among SEC?s Most Affordable: Kentucky football season tickets continue to be among the most affordable in the Southeastern Conference. A survey of SEC schools reveals the following prices for sideline season tickets for the 2005 season:
Auburn – $300
Alabama – $280
LSU – $252
Tennessee – $246
Ole Miss – $230
Arkansas – $210
South Carolina – $210
Georgia – $192
Kentucky – $185
Miss. State – $175
Florida – $168
Vanderbilt – $120
