Sophomore tailback Rafael Little has been named National Player of the Week by SI.com, based on his incredible performance in Saturday?s 48-43 win at Vanderbilt.
Little compiled a career-high 372 all-purpose yards against the Commodores. That?s the highest single-game total in the nation this season, the second-most in school history, and the third-best in Southeastern Conference history.
In the game, Little rushed 28 times for 198 yards and three touchdowns, all career highs, and his third-consecutive game over the 100-yard rushing mark. He caught five passes for 86 yards and returned two punts for 88 yards. He played a role in all seven of Kentucky?s offensive scores. He scored three touchdowns himself and set up two TDs and two field goals with a 50-yard pass reception, a career-long 57-yard punt return, a 43-yard run, and a 13-yard run.
Little also was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week by the league office. It is his second SEC Player of the Week honor in the last three games, as he was named Offensive Player of the Week after generating 247 all-purpose yards in the win over Mississippi State.
For the season, Little now leads the nation in all-purpose yardage with 193.9 yards per game. He also leads the SEC and is fifth nationally in punt returns with a 17.8-yard average. He?s second in the league and 21st in the country in rushing, averaging 108.1 yards per game.
Win over Vanderbilt Provides Unique Stat for Second-Consecutive Season: Kentucky?s 43 points allowed against Vanderbilt marked the most points ever given up in a Wildcat victory. The previous record was 36 points allowed in UK?s 39-36 triumph at Louisiana State in 1998.
Last year?s 14-13 win over Vanderbilt also provided a landmark. Trailing 13-0 in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats made the biggest fourth-quarter comeback in school history when Shane Boyd hit Glenn Holt with a pair of touchdown passes in the final stanza.
Big Blue Crush Begins Today: The annual ?Big Blue Crush? blood drive kicks off today and will continue through Fri. Nov. 18.
The ?Big Blue Crush? is an annual competition between the University of Kentucky and the University of Tennessee to see which school can generate the most blood donations in a week. The Big Blue Crush is vital to the local blood supply as there is usually a slowdown in blood donations during the holiday season.
The winning school will be announced at the Tennessee-Kentucky game on Nov. 26. Kentucky leads the all-time series, 9-7, and there has been one tie. Coach Rich Brooks began the ?Big Blue Crush? by donating a pint of blood.
In Lexington, fans may donate blood at the Central Kentucky Blood Center at 330 Waller Avenue. For additional donation sites and times around Central and Eastern Kentucky, go to website and click on ?Big Blue Crush.?
Tennessee at Kentucky Chosen by JP: The Tennessee at Kentucky game on Nov. 26 has been chosen for live regional telecast by Jefferson-Pilot Sports ?SEC Game of the Week.? Game time will be 12:30 p.m.
This will be Kentucky?s second appearance of the season on JP Sports. The UK-Georgia game on Saturday, Nov. 19, also will be carried by JP.
