Oct. 5, 2010
Video update from Coach Phillips | Cat Scratches: McIntosh’s success truly an underdog story
LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky football coach Joker Phillips and the UK football team started preparations Tuesday for its Southeastern Conference home opener against No. 8 Auburn, focusing on executing and having players hold themselves accountable.
“We had good tempo (in practice),” Phillips said. “The thing that we have talked about this week is making sure that we execute. Execute assignments, making sure of your alignment and execute the proper technique. It is not alright to drop the football, it is not alright to get out of your gap and it is not alright to miss a tackle.
“We also want to make sure that the guy beside you is holding you accountable for not executing,” Phillips continued. “In that, I think that our guys had a good practice. Usually, when you see a guy screw up you hear someone say, ‘That’s alright, that’s alright, we will get it,’ that is not alright. It is not alright. We had that type of temperament today that it was not alright. You have to stay in your gap. I am expecting you to be there so you can bounce the play to me. We had a better practice today because we are asking our kids to think that way.”
On the injury front, Phillips told reporters after practice that redshirt freshman linebacker Qua Huzzie, who has started the last two games for Kentucky, came out of surgery on his right hand successfully Tuesday, making it to practice soon afterwards.
“Qua just got out of surgery and was out here,” Phillips said. “Tough guy, I am amazed that he got off the operating table and came out here to practice. That is how much he loves being (with) this football team. Now what we have to see is how much pain he is in come Saturday and see if he can play.”
The Wildcats play host to the Tigers on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EDT.
Fewer Than 1,000 Tickets Available for Auburn Game: Fewer than 1,000 tickets remain for Saturday’s game vs. Auburn. Tickets cost $46 and are available:
• Online at www.UKathletics.com
• In person at the UK Ticket Office in the Joe Craft Center
• By calling 800-928-2287
Tickets Also Available for South Carolina, Georgia: Tickets also are available for the South Carolina game on Oct. 16 and the Homecoming matchup vs. Georgia on Oct. 23. See above for details.
UK / Coca-Cola Begin Recycling Partnership: University of Kentucky Athletics and Coca-Cola Enterprises are beginning a recycling partnership for game days at Commonwealth Stadium.
Coca-Cola Enterprises will provide 100 large Coca-Cola syrup barrels that have been repurposed as recycling receptacles and will locally recycle 100 percent of the bottles and cans collected in the receptacles at UK home football games. Once collected, the materials will be transported to the recycling center and eventually turned into new bottles, bags or apparel. All profits from the recycled materials will be donated to UK Children’s Hospital.
Fans attending the UK-Auburn game on Saturday also will get to interact with the Recycling Education Vehicle. The vehicle is a self-contained trailer equipped with video screens, interactive displays and games, all designed to educate consumers about the benefits of recycling. Fans also can play recycling-based games.
“We are excited to join forces with the University of Kentucky to promote recycling at this year’s home football games,” said Clinard Chaney, Sales Center Manager, Coca-Cola Enterprises.
“It is essential that we all do our part for the environment and Coca-Cola’s recycling program is one easy step,” said Rodney Stiles, UK assistant athletic director.
Fans Reminded to be Careful With Charcoal: With cooler weather arriving in October, more fans will use charcoal for their tailgate grills. UK’s game-day operations staff strongly encourages guests to properly extinguish and dispose of all charcoal (or other flammable materials) in a safe manner. Please do not leave charcoal fires unattended.
