Last Saturday, Kentucky?s dominating defense was the talk of the day. This Saturday, however, UK?s offense showed signs of improvement, putting up 256 yards of total offense with one touchdown and one field goal in the second full-scale scrimmage of 2006 spring practice Saturday morning at Commonwealth Stadium.
The first-team offense, guided by sophomore quarterback Curtis Pulley, played four series against UK?s first-team defense.
The offense took control early as Pulley directed a 10-play, 70-yard drive down the field on the opening possession. Sophomore tailback Tony Dixon carried the ball six times in the first series for 18 yards. He led all rushers for the day with 16 carries for 53 yards. Pulley connected a 24-yard pass to freshman tight end Zipp Duncan and a six-yard throw to sophomore receiver Joe Joe Brown to put the offense is scoring position. Pulley ended the drive by scrambling five yards for the touchdown.
The first-team offense also scored on their 10th possession of the scrimmage as Pulley and Dixon rushed for three and four yards, respectively before sophomore kicker J.J. Housley nailed a 46-yard field goal.
“There were a lot good things out there today on both sides of the ball,? Coach Rich Brooks said. ?We didn’t do a good job offensively inside the 30-yard line where we had three turnovers, but before that we performed well on offense. Our defense continued to fly around and make big plays.?
The defense claimed four turnovers, forcing two fumbles and grabbing two interceptions. Sophomore strong safety Adam Richey stopped a second-team offensive run by forcing a fumble after a hard hit to freshman tailback Alfonso Smith. Junior defensive end Dominic Lewis deflected and then intercepted a pass from freshman quarterback Will Fidler during the third-team?s second offensive series. Freshman cornerback Trevard Lindley also showed great athleticism, rising in the back right corner of the end zone to intercept a Filder pass intended for wide receiver and former Kentucky basketball player Ravi Moss on the final series of the scrimmage.
Sophomore Andre Woodson ran mostly with the second-team offense and struggled against an aggressive second-team defense. Woodson went 0-for-4 against the second unit but completed an eight-yard pass to Dixon against the first-team defense. Smith helped move the ball offensively as he rushed seven times for 31 yards with the second team.
The third-team offensive and defensive units played three series against each other, led by Fidler. He moved the offense down the field finding eight different targets, including sophomore fullback Thomas Flannery and freshman tailback Antoine Brown. Flannery had two catches for 14 yards while Brown rushed eight times for 28 yards. Fidler located five other receivers who each caught one pass and senior tailback Terrell Bankhead carried the ball three times for six yards.
“Our quarterback competition was good,? Brooks said. ?(Will) Fidler threw the ball accurately and made some nice plays. He needs to continue building upper body and arm strength this summer. Andre’ (Woodson) needs to continue working on minimizing negative plays. Curtis (Pulley) made some great plays with his arm and his legs.?
Totaling his work against the first team, Pulley completed 5-of-9 for 37 yards. He also rushed five times for 44 yards and one TD. Woodson quarterbacked the second team offense and completed 1-of-5 for eight yards and rushed six times for -19 yards. Fidler completed 7-of-14 for 62 yards and two INTs for the third team and rushed three times for four yards.
In the special-teams segment of practice, sophomore punter Tim Masthay punted six times for a 31.0-yard average. He booted one punt 54 yards. There were three field goal attempts in the scrimmage, two by Housely and one by junior Brian Scott. Scott missed a 44-yard attempt wide to the right while Housely missed a 29-yarder and nailed a 46-yard field goal.
The Wildcats return to the practice field Monday at 9 a.m. at the Nutter Training Facility. The annual Blue-White Game, signifying the end of spring practice, is set for Saturday, April 22 at 1 p.m. in Commonwealth Stadium.
Moss Returns to Football: Just two weeks after announcing that he had decided to hang up his football cleats and concentrate on academics and a future career on the hardwood, former Kentucky basketball player Ravi Moss has had a change of heart. The guard-turned-wide receiver returned to the football field Saturday in full pads.
?Ravi (Moss) has decided to come back to football and give it his full shot,? UK Coach Rich Brooks said. ?He is behind the other receivers but he can really help this team when he learns everything he needs to know. We are trying to give him an opportunity to see what he can do.”
“I just changed my mind,? Moss said. ?I thought if I didn’t play, I would regret it the rest of my life. I don’t want to have any regrets. I’ve been in contact with (offensive coordinator) Joker (Philips) since I left. I prayed about the situation and asked God for a sign. That night I kept dreaming about football and I believe that was a sign. It felt great to be back out there and catch a pass.”
Not only has Moss returned with a new mindset but he returns with a new number as well. Moss previously wore jersey No. 4 and has switched to No. 21.
“Twenty-one was my basketball number in high school and I thought it was time I went back to it,” Moss said.
Moss caught one pass for six yards in his return.
Scrimmage Statistics (includes first, second, and third team):
Rushing: Dixon 16-53, Pulley 5-44 1 TD, Woodson 6- (-19), Smith 8-33, Brown 8-28, Bankhead 3-6, Fidler 3-4, Lyons 1-9.
Passing: Pulley 5-9-0, 37 yards; Woodson 1-5-0, 80 yards; Fidler 7-14-2, 62 yards
Receiving: Brown 1-6, Dixon 3-11, Flannery 2-14, Drake 1-4, Duncan 1-24, Bishop, 1-27, Davidson 1-4, Murphy 1-8, Moss 1-6
Punting: Masthay 6-31.0 avg.
Kentucky Football Calendar: Practices at Nutter Training Facility except when indicated otherwise.
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
