Oct. 19, 2011

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky football head coach Joker Phillips announced after practice Wednesday that Kentucky starting defensive end Collins Ukwu, who has missed the past three games because of injury, has been cleared to play against Jacksonville State on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium.

Phillips said although Ukwu has been cleared to play, he doesn’t anticipate the junior seeing too much playing time. Ukwu did practice Wednesday, but only participated in individual drills and saw no time in team drills.

“We will probably use him sparingly or if it is an emergency,” Phillips said. “He just went through individuals today and didn’t do much team work.  He looked good during the individual stuff and we will see if he swells, but Jim (Madaleno) thinks he will be cleared to play. Again, he is a guy that is a really, really violent pass rusher that we have missed out there on the edge.”

Kentucky returns to the practice fields on Thursday to complete its preparation for the matchup with Jacksonville State on Saturday at Noon ET.