Jan. 9, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky fans can show their appreciation to Rich Brooks on Saturday when the coach is presented with the Liberty Bell trophy, symbolic of Kentucky’s championship of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

Steve Ehrhart, Exective Director of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, will make the presentation at halftime of UK’s game vs. Vanderbilt. Kentucky won the bowl game on Jan. 2, defeating Conference USA champion East Carolina by the score of 25-19.

The victory marked bowl wins in three consecutive seasons, the first time in school history that has occurred. UK also defeated Clemson in 2006 and Florida State in 2007 in the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl.

Wildcats Receive Votes in Coaches’ Poll: The Kentucky football team received votes in the final USA Today Coaches’ Poll released following the BCS National Championship Game.

The Wildcats received three votes in the final list, ranking 13th among schools also receiving votes (equivalent of 38th overall). It is the third-consecutive year that UK was mentioned in the season-ending coaches’ poll. UK was fifth among teams receiving votes in 2007 (equivalent of 30th overall) and ninth among teams receiving votes following the 2006 season (equivalent of 34th overall).