Starting free safety Marcus McClinton will miss the Kent State game while he recovers from a sprained ankle, Coach Rich Brooks announced following Thursday morning?s practice.
Calvin Harrison is now slated to get his first start at free safety, Brooks said. The sophomore from Columbia, S. C., played in 10 games last season and made seven tackles. Harrison made one tackle in last Saturday?s season opener vs. Eastern Kentucky. Brooks said that sophomore strong safety Ashton Cobb, who totaled three tackles and his first career interception in the EKU game, also could see playing time at free safety.
Brooks also announced that junior Braxton Kelley will get the start at middle linebacker. Kelley has been the starter the last two seasons, but was sidelined in early August by a high-ankle sprain. He returned to practiced last week and played briefly vs. EKU. Sophomore Micah Johnson, who started last week and led the team with seven tackles, is hampered by a bruised shoulder but will be available to play.
Fans Encouraged to Enter Early: Fans are encouraged to make an early entry to Commonwealth Stadium for Saturday night?s game vs. Kent State.
Long lines developed at some of the stadium gates just before the Eastern Kentucky game and fans can help ease that situation by entering earlier for this week?s game.
Tickets Available: A limited number of tickets are available for Saturday night?s game vs. Kent State at a cost of $30 each. Game time is set for 6 p.m. at Commonwealth Stadium.
The UK Athletics Ticket Office, located in the Joe Craft Center, is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Saturday, the ticket office will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets will be available at the stadium beginning at 4 p.m.
Tickets also can be purchased on-line at www.ukathletics.com, , and TicketMaster outlets statewide. Additional ticket and game-day information is available at www.ukathletics.com/tickets.
Active Military Personnel Receive a Free Ticket: Saturday?s game vs. Kent State is Military Appreciation Day and active military personnel may receive a free ticket to the game.
Military members can claim a ticket by showing a current military ID card on Saturday only. The UK Athletics Ticket Office will be open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Commonwealth Stadium Ticket Office will open at 4 p.m.
Television Information for Kent State Game: Here is the television information for the Kent State game, scheduled for Sat. Sept. 8 at 6 p.m.:
Televised live within the state of Kentucky on pay-per-view basis; cost is $24.95 in advance, $29.95 on the day of the game Kentucky residents interested in ordering the game should contact their cable/satellite provider Televised live outside of Kentucky as part of ESPN GamePlan. (Note: GamePlan?s coverage of UK-Kent State will be blacked out within Kentucky borders.) Telecast available to Big Blue Sports Network affiliates on a delayed basis