Nov. 25, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Senior tailback Alfonso Smith has been named to the Southeastern Conference Good Works Team as announced by the league office.

Smith has been very active in the “Cats That Care” service program during his four years as a Wildcat. He has put in over 200 hours of community service with his Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and with his help Phi Beta Sigma won the Community Service Award in 2009.  Smith has been a visitor and guest speaker at numerous schools and events, including the West End Community Empowerment Project, the American Cancer Society Relay and the March of Dimes’ step show. He participated in a fundraiser for the homeless in Lexington and volunteered with the Salvation Army by serving as a bellringer, selling baked goods and donating his own clothing.

27 Recognized on Senior Day: A total of 27 Wildcats will be recognized in Senior Day ceremonies before Saturday’s game.

“I would like to see our fans in there early enough to honor this senior class,” Coach Rich Brooks said.  “I know that the game-day activities are part of the experience and part of the fun in the parking lot, but hopefully they can do that all day long and get in there early enough to honor this senior class.”

Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 6:30 p.m. in order to see the event.  Here’s a list of the players who will be honored.

• ¹
  Stephen Ball, FB, Jr., Brentwood, Tenn.
• Ross Bogue, TE, Sr., Suwanee, Ga.
• ¹
  Trey Bowland, TB, Jr., Knoxville, Tenn.
• Anthony Cecil, WR, Sr., Hodgenville, Ky.
• ²
  Chris Cessna, LB, Sr., London, Ky.
• Ashton Cobb, FS, Sr., Aliquippa, Pa.
• John Conner, FB, Sr., West Chester, Ohio
• T.C. Drake, TE, Sr., Bardstown, Ky.
• Zipp Duncan, OT, Sr., Magnolia, Ky.
• ¹
  Daryl Faulkner, CB, Jr., Memphis, Tenn.
• ¹
  Will Fidler, QB, Jr., Henderson, Ky.
• Jorge Gonzalez, C, Sr., Tampa, Fla.
• Maurice Grinter, TE, Sr., Louisville, Ky.
• Calvin Harrison, SS, Sr., Columbia, S.C.
• Justin Jeffries, OT, Sr., Louisville, Ky.
• Christian Johnson, OT, Sr., Ft. Campbell, Ky.
• Micah Johnson, LB, Sr., Ft. Campbell, Ky.
• Trevard Lindley, CB, Sr., Hiram, Ga.
• Dustin Luck, OG, Sr., Poole, Ky.
• Mikhail Mabry, LB, Sr., Mililani, Hawaii
• Sam Maxwell, LB, Sr., Hartwell, Ga.
• A.J. Nance, LB, Sr., Knoxville, Tenn.
• Corey Peters, DT, Sr., Louisville, Ky.
• ²
  Michael Schwindel, LB, Sr., Hawesville, Ky.
• Lones Seiber, K, Sr., Knoxville, Tenn.
• Alfonso Smith, TB, Sr., Louisville, Ky.

¹ indicates juniors who are graduating and giving up their final season of eligibility
² indicates players who had careers shortened by injuries and are going through Senior Day

In addition, UK will honor the memory of linebacker Chris Mosby, who would have been a senior this season.  Chris had committed to play for Kentucky in 2005, but passed away in an accident before arriving at UK. 

This senior class has an impressive list of accomplishments, many of them unprecedented in the history of Kentucky football:

• Four consecutive winning seasons
• At least seven wins in four consecutive seasons, first time since 1909-12
• Three straight bowl championships, first time ever
• Wins over two top-10 ranked opponents
• 18 straight non-conference wins, longest streak in school history
• 12 wins coming from behind in the fourth quarter

Practice Update: Under sunny skies and relatively mild temperatures, the Kentucky football team practiced for two hours Wednesday morning at the Nutter Training Center.

Randall Cobb, Chris Matthews and Derrick Locke returned to practice after missing on Tuesday because of injuries.  Coach Rich Brooks was glad to get the players into some pregame preparations.

“Nobody ever really plays better without practice,” Brooks said.  “There are things you have to learn in a game plan that don’t carry over from week to week, and that’s why you need to practice. Some guys can handle it better than others, some need more reps in practice than others. Usually if you don’t practice you don’t play well in the games.”

Linebacker Ronnie Sneed and offensive tackle Justin Jeffries did not practice on Wednesday and remain doubtful to play against Tennessee.   

Kentucky plays host to Tennessee on Saturday at 7 p.m.  The game will be televised by ESPNU.

Dicky Lyons Jr. Book Signing on Friday:
Dicky Lyons Jr. will have a book signing on Fri. Nov. 29 at the Cat Fan Attic on 1975 Harrodsburg Road in Lexington.

Lyons will be autographing copies of the book “True Blue,” written by Leslie Lyons about the Kentucky football careers of Dicky Lyons Sr. and Jr.

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.