Nov. 24, 2009
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Several key Kentucky football players sat out of practice on Tuesday because of injuries, hoping to recover in time for Saturday’s game against Tennessee.
Coach Rich Brooks reported that tailback Derrick Locke, linebacker Ronnie Sneed, offensive tackle Justin Jeffries, wide receiver Randall Cobb and tight end T.C. Drake did not participate because of various injuries. Sneed (shoulder sprain/sever shin bruise) and Jeffries (ankle sprain) are doubtful to play against the Volunteers. Tailback Donald Russell missed practice because of illness.
More on Tennessee: After Tuesday’s practice, Coach Rich Brooks was asked about the progress of Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton, who has thrown for 2,345 yards and 21 touchdowns this season.
“He has made major improvement,” Brooks said. “There’s no question he’s got a rifle for an arm, he’s throwing the ball downfield extremely well. They move him out of the pocket quite a bit on sprintouts and bootlegs and misdirection things and he’s performed extremely well. He’s made major improvement from the first part of the season. He’s not throwing the ball to the other guy and he’s making real positive plays for his team.”
Brooks also was asked about Volunteer tailback Montario Hardesty, who has rushed for 1,127 yards and nine touchdowns on the year.
“He’s a very physical runner, breaks a lot of tackles,” Brooks said. “He’s a downhill guy. We need to tackle well, but more important, we need to do a good job at the line of scrimmage against a good offensive line.”
Brooks had good words as well when asked “who jumps off the screen” on the Tennessee defense.
“(Safety Eric) Berry’s all-world, but certainly they have a lot of lot of playmakers on defense,” Brooks said. “Their defensive tackles inside – (Dan) Williams is a real force. We saw what that can do last week, particularly in the first 30 minutes (at Georgia), so we’ll have our hands full blocking him.
“They’re bringing Berry up to the line of scrimmage, more like a linebacker sometimes. They’re blitzing him, doing a lot of things moving him around. He is a very instinctive football player. He’s obviously a smart player, tough player, he’s got great skill.
Kentucky plays host to Tennessee on Saturday at 7 p.m. The game will be televised by ESPNU.
Tennessee Game Ticket Also Good for Women’s Basketball: Fans with a ticket to the Kentucky-Tennessee football game on Saturday can get free admission to that day’s women’s basketball game vs. McNeese State, which tips off at 1 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum.
Fans must show their football game ticket in order to get the free general admission to the basketball game, while supplies last.
“Cat Walk” Set for 4:45 p.m.: Fans wishing to participate in the “Cat Walk,” cheering the Wildcats when they enter Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday, should be at Gate 1 of the stadium at 4:45 p.m.
