The Kentucky defense played well during a 30-minute scrimmage that highlighted a two and one-half hour practice Wednesday morning at the Nutter Training Facility.
?We were very active and physical today (on defense),? Coach Rich Brooks said after practice. ?(Defensive tackle) Myron Pryor had an impressive day. We had a very difficult time blocking him.?
The defense controlled the action except for a couple of long plays by second-team quarterback Curtis Pulley against the second-team defense. After the defense jumped offside on one play, Pulley took advantage of the ?free play? and hit wide receiver Anthony Cecil with a touchdown bomb. Pulley ended the scrimmage with a serpentining 50-yard touchdown run through the Wildcat defenders.
Brooks has been encouraged by the progress he?s seen with the Wildcat defense to this point of the spring.
?We?re playing with more confidence and a better understanding of what we?re trying to do,? Brooks said, also noting the improvement made by several players. ?(Linebacker) Wesley Woodyard has gained 15 pounds of good weight and is a more physical player. (Linebacker) Johnny Williams is playing with much more confidence.
?We?re still trying to develop depth at end and Dominic Lewis has made very good progress there. (Cornerback) Trevard Lindley has been pretty consistent through the first five practices (of the spring). We got (cornerback) David Jones back today after his hamstring injury and he made some plays.
?In addition, we?ve decided to try Maurice Grinter at strongside linebacker and he began that transition today,? Brooks said. Grinter, a 6-3, 253-pound freshman, began the spring as a strong safety.
The Wildcats return to practice Friday at 9 a.m. at the Nutter Training Facility.
Tamme, Woodyard, Little Named Preseason All-SEC: Tight end Jacob Tamme, linebacker Wesley Woodyard, and tailback Rafael Little were chosen preseason All-Southeastern Conference by Phipps SEC Football magazine. Tamme is a first-team selection while Woodyard and Little were named to the second team.
Tamme caught 29 passes for 251 yards and one touchdown last season. On special teams, he blocked two punts and also served as the holder for placekicks.
Woodyard led the Wildcats and ranked fourth in the SEC in tackles with 100 stops. He had seven tackles for loss and ranked second in the SEC in fumble recoveries with four.
Little led the SEC in all-purpose yardage and punt returns and ranked fifth in the nation in both categories. He rushed for 1,045 yards and also led Kentucky in pass receiving with 46 catches.
Jefferson-Pilot Sports becomes Lincoln Financial Sports: The regionally syndicated ?SEC Game of the Week? will have a new producing entity next season as Jefferson-Pilot Sports has been renamed Lincoln Financial Sports.
The name change comes after a merger of Jefferson-Pilot with the Lincoln Financial Group. Lincoln Financial Sports will continue to telecast SEC football and men?s basketball games throughout the South and in other selected markets.
Kentucky Football Calendar: Practices at Nutter Training Facility except when indicated otherwise.
Fri. Apr. 7 – Practice, 9 ? 11:15 a.m.
Sat. Apr. 8 – Practice, 10 ? noon, Commonwealth Stadium
Mon. Apr. 10 – Practice, 9 ? 11:15 a.m.
Wed. Apr. 12 – Practice, 9 ? 11:15 a.m.
Fri. Apr. 14 – Practice, 9 ? 11:15 a.m.
Sat. Apr. 15 – Practice, 10 ?noon, Commonwealth Stadium
Mon. Apr. 17 – Practice, 9 ? 11:15 a.m.
Wed. Apr. 19 – Practice, 9 ? 11:15 a.m.
Fri. Apr. 21 – Practice, 9 ? 11:15 a.m.
Sat. Apr. 22 – Blue/White Spring Game, 1 p.m., Commonwealth Stadium
