Sept. 27, 2010
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Senior defensive tackle Ricky Lumpkin and senior wide receiver Chris Matthews have been named game captains for the Ole Miss game this weekend, first-year head coach Joker Phillips has announced.
Lumpkin, a native of Clarksville, Tenn., has played well for UK up front this season, gathering six tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss and one sack. The 3.5 tackles-for-loss, which ranks him tied for 18th in the Southeastern Conference, matches his season high set during the 2008 season.
Matthews is coming off the best game of his career last weekend vs. Florida, earning a career high in receiving yards with 114 and touchdowns with two. The native of Los Angeles, Calif, has recorded a touchdown in each of UK’s last three games. Matthews is ranked in the SEC standings as well, sitting tied for 14th in receptions (3.25 per game), 11th in receiving yards (57.0 per game) and tied for 17th in scoring (6.0 points per game).
Lumpkin and Matthews will join permanent captains Randall Cobb and DeQuin Evans at the pregame coin toss.
Melillo Doubtful; Hines Probable: Junior tight end Nick Melillo, who has been sidelined for the first four games of the year because of a high-ankle sprain, is listed as doubtful to play in the Ole Miss game. Phillips said Monday that Melillo will “try but is probably doubtful.” Redshirt freshman Jordan Aumiller and true freshman Tyler Robinson have handled the tight end position this season.
However, it appears UK will get good news on junior offensive lineman Stuart Hines, who did not travel with the team to Florida because of an ankle sprain. Phillips said Monday that Hines “should be fine,” for the Ole Miss game. Hines, a native of Bowling Green, Ky., is the only returning starter on UK’s offensive line this season. Billy Joe Murphy started at left guard at Florida.
Kentucky-Auburn Game Slated for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN OR ESPN2: The University of Kentucky football game against Auburn on Oct. 9 has been slated for 7:30 p.m. ET at Commonwealth Stadium.
The game will be telecast live by either ESPN or ESPN2, however, that will not be decided until next Monday.
