Steady rain forced the Kentucky football team indoors to the Nutter Field House as the Wildcats had a two-hour, 20-minute practice on Wednesday.
Clad in full pads, the Wildcats had several 11-on-11 team periods, including a third-down situational scrimmage at the end of practice. Coach Rich Brooks was asked about the heavy team emphasis during the practice.
?We need to see who?s ready to make a move on playing time and the only way to do it is to play the game,? Brooks said. ?I feel pretty good about a lot of things, but it?s hard to judge the overall (progress of the team) because the problems we have in the offensive line right now (numerous injuries keeping players from practice). Once we get those problems squared away, everything else will fall into place.?
Josh Winchell, the junior-college transfer at offensive tackle, has been in and out of practice all spring and missed today because of his recurring knee problem, Brooks said. Winchell hopes to return by Saturday. Brooks continued to praise the progress made by sophomore Zipp Duncan, who moved to offensive guard this spring after playing tight end and defensive end earlier in his career at UK.
?Zipp Duncan has done some very good things,? Brooks said. ?It?s clear that he can really help us What he needs to do now is get in the weight room the next three or four months and get stronger.?
Brooks also noted that redshirt freshmen Will Fidler and Mike Hartline continue to be neck-and-neck in the competition for the backup quarterback
?There?s nothing jumping off the film, it?s a matter of waiting to see the scrimmage this Saturday, and the following Saturday will have a lot to do with it,? Brooks said. ?But again, you really can?t tell exactly what they can do until we get a full complement of an offensive line in front of them.
?I don?t think there?s much doubt in my mind that we?re going to be OK in the offensive line, it?s just a question of getting all the pieces put together and get them in there at the same time.?
Linebacker Wesley Woodyard sat out today?s practice with the hamstring strain he incurred on Monday. His availability will continue to be evaluated on a day-to-day basis.
Kentucky returns to the practice field Friday morning. The Wildcats are slated to scrimmage Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in Commonwealth Stadium.
Six Wildcats Named to Phipps Magazine Preseason All-SEC Team: Six Kentucky Wildcats have been named to the preseason All-Southeastern Conference team as chosen by Phipps Magazine.
Quarterback Andre? Woodson, wide receiver Keenan Burton, tight end Jacob Tamme, and linebacker Wesley Woodyard were named to the first team while tailback Rafael Little and cornerback Trevard Lindley were second-team selections.
Spring Football Calendar: Practices are open to the media and public and are held at Nutter Training Facility unless noted otherwise. Practices may be moved indoors to the Nutter Field House in case of bad weather.
Fri. Apr. 13 – 9 to 11:20 a.m. (tentative)
Sat. Apr. 14 – 10 to 11:40 a.m., including scrimmage beginning at 10:10, Commonwealth Stadium
Mon. Apr. 16 – 9 to 11:20 a.m. (tentative)
Wed. Apr. 18 – 9 to 11:20 a.m. (tentative)
Fri. Apr. 20 – 9 to 11:20 a.m. (tentative)
Sat. Apr. 21 – Blue/White Spring Game, 1 p.m. at Commonwealth Stadium
