Nov. 23, 2010

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky football team hit the practice field Tuesday to continue its preparation for Southeastern Conference foe Tennessee on Saturday. The Wildcats were forced inside to the Nutter Field House because of rain in the Lexington area.

First-year head coach Joker Phillips was pleased with the players’ performance.

“Today was great,” Phillips said. “We kind of tend to lose focus when we come inside because it is a little hotter in here but it was great today. It was upbeat and everybody was flying around trying to get themselves ready to play.”

The Wildcats will face a streaking Tennessee team Saturday that has won three consecutive games, including impressive victories over SEC rivals Ole Miss and Vanderbilt.

“Recently, they have been throwing the ball a little bit more but they have also been rushing the ball really well,” Phillips said. “(Tauren Poole) has rushed for over 100 yards in two of the three games and the one that he didn’t have 100 yards in he had 99. They want to be balanced but they are throwing the ball more down the field and making more plays down the field.”

Kentucky will continue its normal practice schedule for the rest of the week, with the exception of allowing local players to go home Thursday morning after practice. Phillips said they will make sure everyone has plans for Thanksgiving, spreading out those players that can’t travel home between local players and coaches.

“We will practice Thursday morning and then some of the locals will take some of the guys that can’t get home with them and we will take some of the guys that can’t get home with us as coaches,” Phillips said.

Redshirt freshman linebacker Qua Huzzie, who has missed time this season with injury, tweaked his shoulder again Sunday in practice and is questionable for the Tennessee game. Freshman wide receiver Brian Adams is also listed as doubtful for the Tennessee game with a sore hamstring.