Nov. 20, 2008

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Fans have the opportunity to vote online for Kentucky Head Coach Rich Brooks and Wildcat defensive line coach Rick Petri for a pair of “Coach of the Year” awards.

Brooks is one of the top 25 vote-getters for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award. Despite major graduation losses from last year, and key injuries this season, Brooks has guided the Wildcats to a 6-5 record. UK is bowl-eligible for the third-consecutive season. If the Wildcats go to a bowl, it will be the first time since 1949-50-51 that UK has accomplished that feat in three-straight years.

To vote for Brooks, fans can go to the website www.coachoftheyear.com. Fans can vote once per day.

Petri is one of four finalists for a national award for defensive line coaches. FootballScoop.com is sponsoring national coach of the year honors for assistant coaches at each position group.

The defensive line has been one of the key components of the Wildcats’ success this year. The UK defensive linemen have combined for 161 tackles, including 31.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 quarterback sacks. In addition, linebacker Johnny Williams has seen spot duty as a rush end and contributed five sacks in that role. The UK linemen also total 10 pass breakups, four fumbles caused, two fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown) and one blocked field goal which was returned for a touchdown.

As a unit, Kentucky has one of the nation’s most improved defenses, going from 80th in the nation in scoring defense last season to 36th currently this year. UK also has improved from 67th in the nation last year in total defense to 40th this season.

Vote for Petri on the www.footballscoop.com website.