Oct. 12, 2009
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Junior quarterback Mike Hartline will be out at least three-to-four weeks after the results of an MRI test were evaluated, Coach Rich Brooks announced Monday.
Hartline incurred a tear of the medial collateral ligament, a partial tear of the posterior cruciate ligament and a slight cartilage tear in his left knee while being tackled early in the third quarter of Saturday’s game at South Carolina.
Surgery will not be required for the ligament injuries, Brooks said. However, after the ligaments have healed, it is possible that surgery will be required on the cartilage injury. If so, another two-to-three weeks healing will be necessary, which would likely sideline Hartline for the remainder of the regular season. Kentucky has seven games left on the schedule.
Brooks said that junior Will Fidler and true freshman Morgan Newton will compete in practice for the starting quarterback role for the upcoming game at Auburn. Fidler has completed 5-of-13 passes this season in limited duty, including 2-of-8 in the second half of the South Carolina game. Newton has not played so far in 2009, but the coach indicated that there was a strong possibility that the freshman will now see game action and not continue as a redshirt this season.
At this time, Brooks does not expect wide receiver Randall Cobb to return to quarterback on a full-time basis. Cobb started four games at quarterback last year and also has seen action in that role this season in the Wildcat formation.
Hartline was injured during the first series of the third quarter in Saturday’s 28-26 loss at South Carolina. Ironically, he was in the midst of potentially the best game of his career, completing 9-of-14 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown, staking UK to a 17-14 halftime lead over the No. 25-ranked Gamecocks.
Lindley Out for the Auburn Game: Coach Rich Brooks also announced that All-America cornerback Trevard Lindley will miss the Auburn game as he continues to heal from a high-ankle sprain. Two other starters currently out of action, cornerback Paul Warford and offensive tackle Justin Jeffries, will be evaluated on Wednesday to see if they will be able to see action against the Tigers.
Peters Receives National, SEC Honors: Defensive tackle Corey Peters was named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week as chosen by the league office.
Peters made seven tackles in Saturday’s game at South Carolina. He had a career-high 3.5 tackles for loss, good for 26 yards of losses. Included were a career-best 2.5 quarterback sacks. It is the first time in his career that the senior from Louisville has received the award.
In addition, Peters was chosen as the National Defensive Lineman of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards in recognition of his game vs. South Carolina.
Louisiana-Monroe Game Tabbed by Fox Sports Network: Kentucky’s home game against Louisiana-Monroe on Oct. 24 has been selected for live telecast by Fox Sports and will kick off at 7 p.m.
The game will be carried on Fox Sports South, along with additional Fox Sports regional channels that will be announced during the week of the game. Bob Rathbun will call the play-by-play, with Dave Archer handling the analysis and Jenn Hildreth providing reports from the sidelines.
All UK Fans Invited to Pregame Tailgate Party at Auburn Game: The University of Kentucky Alumni Association invites all Wildcat fans traveling to the Auburn game to participate in a pregame tailgate party.
Here are the details:
Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009
4 p.m., CT; 5 p.m. ET
Kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. CT, 7:30 p.m. ET
Auburn University Campus
Look for the blue and white tent in front of the Jule Collins Smith (JCS) Art Musuem
Located on Woodfield Dr. off of College St.
Click here to view the campus map: https://oitapps.auburn.edu/campusmap/
UK alumni and fans are invited to take part in pregame fun on the road Oct. 17. Our Kentucky Wildcats will battle the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium for SEC Gridiron Glory. Join in the festivities at the blue and white UK Alumni Association Tailgate Tent (located near the RV section). Shuttles will be available from the stadium to the game for those who prefer to ride. For those who prefer to walk, a walking trail is extended from the site of our event to the stadium (approx. 10 – 15 min. walk).
Cost is $10 for preregistered UK Alumni Association members, $15 for nonmembers and $15 for game day walk-ups. Price includes food, soft drinks and admission to the event.
To make your reservation, visit www.ukalumni.net/tailgate and click the ‘registration’ button on the webpage or call 1-800-269-ALUM or 859-257-7161.
Game Day Parking Information:
Shuttles run to and from locations near campus on game day free of charge. For a list of locations or more information, visit: http://www.auburn.edu/administration/parking_transit/transit/gameday.php.
For additional questions about the event, contact Jill Smith at jhsmith@uky.edu or 859-257-8906.
