Sept. 4, 2008
LEXINGTON, Ky. – An experience that is rapidly approaching “tradition status” for University of Kentucky football is the popular Military Appreciation Day, which is being observed for the fourth consecutive year during Saturday’s home opener vs. Norfolk State.
UK has distributed tickets for the game to soldiers, staff and cadets at Fort Knox, the Kentucky National Guard, UK Air Force ROTC, UK Army ROTC and the Lexington Veterans Administration Medical Center.
Among the dignitaries in attendance will be four generals:
- Major General Edward W. Tonini, the Adjutant General of the Kentucky National Guard
- Brigadier General Timothy A. Byers, a UK alumnus, who is Director of Installations and Mission Support, Headquarters Air Combat Command at Langley (Va.) Air Force Base
- Brigadier General Donald M. Campbell Jr., the Commanding General at Fort Knox
- Brigadier General John Heltzel, the Deputy Commander of the Kentucky National Guard
There will be two special activities during the pregame ceremonies. A group of T-38 Talon jets – led by Captain Penn Brown, a UK alumnus – will do a flyover in conjunction with the national anthem. In addition, a giant United States flag, measuring 300 feet by 165 feet, will be unfurled and cover the field from goal line to goal line and sideline to sideline. The flag will be handled by UK Air Force and Army ROTC cadets, along with soldiers from Fort Knox.
G. Williams Questionable for Norfolk State: Senior left tackle Garry Williams, Kentucky’s most experienced offensive lineman, is “questionable to doubtful” for the Norfolk State game, Coach Rich Brooks announced after Wednesday morning’s practice.
Williams has been having swelling in his knee and Brooks said the lineman will have an MRI evaluation. Brooks said that redshirt freshman Billy Joe Murphy or junior James Alexander would get the starting nod if Williams is unavailable.
The Wildcats worked for one hour, 45 minutes on Wednesday in hot, humid weather at the Nutter Training Center. Brooks said the team is working to make improvements from the Louisville game.
“They know what we need to get better at and they want to work at it, but it is always getting done to my satisfaction at this point,” Brooks said.
Pryor, Brown Recognized by Rivals.com: Wildcat defensive tackle Myron Pryor has received his second honor for UK’s 27-2 win over Louisville, this time being chosen as the overall Southeastern Conference Player of the Week by Rivals.com. On Tuesday, Pryor was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week by the league office.
A native of Louisville, Pryor played a role in two defensive touchdowns and a key fourth-down stop against his hometown team. In the second quarter, Pryor knocked loose a fumble that safety Ashton Cobb scooped up and scored from 28 yards away. Later in the quarter, Pryor assisted linebacker Micah Johnson on a 4th-and-1 stop at the Wildcat 21-yard line, turning over the ball on downs. In the fourth quarter, linebacker Johnny Williams caused a fumble that Pryor picked up and raced 72 yards for the game’s final touchdown. Pryor totaled three tackles in the game, one for loss, in addition to the fumble plays.
Defensive coordinator Steve Brown was listed among six coaches considered for National Coordinator of the Week, which was awarded to defensive coordinator Kevin Steele of Alabama. The UK defense held the Louisville to 205 total yards and zero offensive points. It was the first time since 1996 that a UK defense had held an opponent scoreless during a game.
