Wildcats Playing Nation?s Second-Most True Freshmen: Kentucky has played 14 true freshmen this season, tied for the second-highest number among the nation?s Division I-A schools.
The Wildcat true freshmen who have seen game action include offensive linemen James Alexander, Christian Johnson, and Garry Williams; wide receiver DeMoreo Ford; fullback John Conner; quarterback Curtis Pulley; defensive linemen Ventrell Jenkins and Myron Pryor; linebackers Braxton Kelley, Mikhail Mabry, and Johnny Williams; defensive backs David Jones and Adam Richey; and punter Tim Masthay. The group includes 12 scholarship players and two walk-ons (Conner and Richey).
?We?ve had no choice,? said Coach Rich Brooks, who is dealing with low numbers of available players because of scholarship limitations and numerous injuries. ?We had to do that last year as well. We?ve gotten good production out of our freshmen and that will make them better players next year.?
Arkansas leads the way with 16 true freshmen having played this season, including 10 scholarship players and six walk-ons. Duke has played 14 true frosh, all scholarship players.
Little Named SEC Offensive Player of the Week: Sophomore tailback Rafael Little, who rambled for a career-high 247 yards of all-purpose yardage in Saturday?s win over Mississippi State, has been named the Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Week by the league office.
Little (Anderson, S. C.) rushed for 114 yards, caught four passes for 44 yards, and returned six punts for 89 yards. He scored UK?s only touchdown of the game on an eight-yard run and, with UK clinging to a 13-7 lead, ran out the clock on UK?s final possession with first-down runs of 29 and 10 yards.
For the season, Little leads the SEC in all-purpose yardage with 158.6 yards per game. He has rushed for at least 71 yards in every game. He leads the team in pass receptions with 20. He ranks second in the league and eighth nationally in punt return average (15.2 yards per return).
Little is UK?s first SEC player of the week selection since center Matt McCutchan was offensive lineman of the week in 2004 following the Indiana game. He is the first Wildcat to be named offensive player of the week since Jared Lorenzen vs. Texas-El Paso in 2002. Little is the first UK running back to be named player of the week since Moe Williams vs. South Carolina in 1995.
Kickoff for Vanderbilt Game Set at 2:00 p.m. EST: The Vanderbilt at Kentucky game on Sat. Nov. 12 has been set for a 2 p.m. EST kickoff (1 p.m. CST in Nashville).
The Big Blue Sports Network will carry the game on radio. There is no live or delay telecast of the game.
