Football

Heavy rain forced the Kentucky football team into the Nutter Field House on the first day of spring practice, but the wet weather didn?t dampen the Wildcats? spirits.

?I was very pleased with the energy I saw today,? Coach Rich Brooks said following the two-hour, 15-minute workout in helmets, jerseys, and shorts.

?I saw a lot of good things from an athletic standpoint. I?m pleased with our speed on defense and our ability to close,? continued Brooks, who had noted during Monday?s news conference that approximately 15 Wildcats had run 4.5 seconds or better in the 40-yard dash, which represented continued improvement in team speed.

Brooks noted that he liked what he saw out of junior-college offensive linemen Jess Beets and Josh Winchell, who had their first practices as Wildcats. Brooks said that Winchell was able to do more than expected after having off-season shoulder surgery.

Other notes from today?s practice:

sophomore Sam Maxwell looked very quick from his outside linebacker position and had a pair of interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown during a 7-on-7 drill sophomore Zipp Duncan is being tried in the offensive line this spring; Duncan redshirted at defensive end in 2005, then played 12 games as a reserve tight end and special teams last season Brooks said that junior free safety Marcus McClinton, currently on suspension for violation of team rules, would return to practice on Monday.

Spring Football Calendar: Practices held at Nutter Training Facility unless noted otherwise. Practices may be moved indoors to the Nutter Field House in case of bad weather.

Fri. Mar. 30 – 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Sat. Mar. 31 – 1:15 to 3:45 p.m., Commonwealth Stadium
Mon. Apr. 2 – 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Wed. Apr. 4 – 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Fri. Apr. 6 – 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Sat. Apr. 7 – TBA
Mon. Apr. 9 – 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Wed. Apr. 11 – 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Fri. Apr. 13 – 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Sat. Apr. 14 – TBA
Mon. Apr. 16 – 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Wed. Apr. 18 – 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Fri. Apr. 20 – 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Sat. Apr. 21 – Blue/White Spring Game, 1 p.m. at Commonwealth Stadium

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