Andr? Woodson has been named a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award for the nation?s top senior quarterback.
Woodson is one of five finalists for the honor, which is presented by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation of Baltimore, Md.
Woodson has completed 63.6 percent of his passes for 2,653 yards, 29 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions this year. He leads the Southeastern Conference with 265.3 passing yards per game. Earlier this season, he set an NCAA record with 325 consecutive passes without an interception. He has won three National Player of the Week honors this year, following victories over Louisville, Florida Atlantic, and LSU.
Woodson has led Kentucky to a 7-3 record. The Wildcats? win over Louisville was the first victory over a top-10 ranked opponent in 30 years and the triumph over LSU was the first over a No. 1-ranked opponent since 1964. During the season, UK has been ranked in the nation?s top 10 for the first time since 1977 and has been listed in the BCS rankings for the first time in school history.
Woodson is a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award for the National Player of the Year. He also is a semifinalist for the Davey O?Brien Award for the nation?s top quarterback and on the Manning Award watch list for the same honor.
Little Expected to Play vs. Georgia: Senior tailback Rafael Little should be available to play in the Georgia game, Coach Rich Brooks announced after Thursday morning?s practice.
Little, who is recovering from a back injury sustained in last Saturday?s win at Vanderbilt, was much improved on Thursday and was able to see his first practice action of the week. Little leads the team in rushing this season with 752 yards, a 6.2-yard average per carry, and three touchdowns. He has played in seven games, missing all of three games and part of two other games because of injury. He has rushed for more than 100 yards in all five games in which he has been available for the entire game.
However, Brooks also noted that the sprained ankle of tailback Alfonso Smith has continued to be a problem and that Smith is now considered to be questionable for the Georgia game.
The Wildcats (7-3 overall, 3-3 Southeastern Conference) take on the Bulldogs (8-2, 5-2) at 12:30 p.m. in Sanford Stadium. The game will be a live regional telecast by Lincoln Financial Sports.
?Cat Walk? Set for Saturday: The ?Cat Walk? for Saturday?s game at Georgia has been set for 10:15 a.m. at Sanford Stadium.
Wildcat fans traveling to the game are encouraged to cheer the Wildcats when the team buses arrive at Gate 5 on the east side of the stadium at approximately 10:15 a.m.
?Big Blue Crush? Going on This Week: The annual ?Big Blue Crush? blood drive is taking place Nov. 12-16 and pits University of Kentucky fans against University of Tennessee supporters to see who can give the most blood.
Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks got the Big Blue ball rolling on Monday by donating a pint of blood. Brooks encourages all Wildcat fans to do the same in order to win the blood drive.
The Big Blue Crush helps the Kentucky Blood Center have enough donations to make it through the upcoming holiday season. Now in its 20th year, the competition is tied ? UK and Tennessee have won nine times each and there has been one tie.
Fans wishing to donate can call 1-800-775-2522 or visit kybloodcenter.org for donor center details, which are located in Lexington, Pikeville, Prestonsburg, and Somerset. In Lexington, the Kentucky Blood Center is located at 3121 Beaumont Center Circle and will be open this week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. There are also giving locations on the UK campus.
Fans who donate to the Big Blue Crush will receive:
A coupon from McDonald?s for a free Extra Value Meal A 20th anniversary Big Blue Crush T-shirt Entry in a daily drawing for two tickets to the Tennessee at Kentucky football game and two passes for the Big Blue Zone tailgate party prior to the game
