The Kentucky football team is slated to have its first major scrimmage of the spring during Saturday?s practice, which begins at 10 a.m. at the Nutter Training Facility.
Coach Rich Brooks hopes to scrimmage for at least one hour, although the scrimmage could be shortened because of limitation of players at some positions because of injuries.
After a generally good set of practices to this point, Brooks was not pleased with the team?s performance on Friday, particularly with the offense. Today?s practice also featured several players moving from the first to the second team and vice versa, including at quarterback, where sophomore Curtis Pulley worked with the first team and returning starter Andre? Woodson worked with the second unit.
?We want to switch the lineup a little bit and experiment to find the right combination. That?s what the spring is for,? said Brooks, who did note that the defense did some good things in practice. ?The defense has been playing aggressively and with enthusiasm for the most part.?
Note Location Change for Saturday?s Practice: The practice on Sat. April 8 is now scheduled for the Nutter Training Facility, not Commonwealth Stadium.
Alfonso Smith Showing Ability at Tailback: Much of the talk of spring practice has been about the tailback position, where 1,000-yard rusher Rafael Little and sophomore Tony Dixon give the Wildcats a capable one-two attack. However, redshirt freshman Alfonso Smith is expanding that discussion.
Smith, a former 100-meter state dash champion at Louisville?s Waggener High School, has made several impressive runs this spring. He hits the hole quickly, and with sub-4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash, has proven very difficult to catch once he accelerates.
?Alfonso is learning the system well and he brings big-play capability because of his outstanding speed,? running-backs coach Ron Caragher said. ?I?m anxious to see how he develops his receiving skills, how he carries the ball between the tackles, and using his power to finish runs, getting that extra one-to-two yards while he?s being tackled.
?He?s going to be in a position that we can put him in a game and not lose anything, as long as he continues to progress.?
?I have to prove myself, so I?m trying to utilize the spring as best I can,? Smith said. ?Right now, I?m a slashing type of runner, but I?m trying to put on more weight so I can be a power runner.?
The 6-1, 200-pound Smith appears to have a frame that would carry more weight easily. He was a prime recruiting target for the Wildcat coaching staff a year ago, as he averaged 7.6 yards per carry during his career at Waggener and was the District Player of the Year as a senior.
Four Former Wildcats in NFL Europe: Four former Kentucky Wildcats, punter Glenn Pakulak, defensive tackle Jeremy Caudill, quarterback Shane Boyd, and defensive end Otis Grigsby, are playing in NFL Europe this season.
Pakulak and Caudill are playing for the Amsterdam Admirals, who have opened the season with a 2-1 record. Pakulak, whose rights are owned by the Oakland Raiders, is punting for a 41-yard average. Caudill, a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, has made five tackles for the Admirals.
Boyd and Grigsby play for the Cologne Centurions, who have a 1-2 record in early season action. Boyd, whose rights are owned by the Pittsburgh Steelers, has completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 334 yards and one touchdown. He also has rushed for 65 yards. Grigsby, a member of the Carolina Panthers, currently is on the Centurions? practice squad and has not seen game action.
Kentucky Football Calendar: Practices at Nutter Training Facility except when indicated otherwise.
Sat. Apr. 8 – Practice, 10 ? noon
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
