Nov. 9, 2011
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Several University of Kentucky football players, including tailback Raymond Sanders and wide receiver Matt Roark, returned to the practice fields on Wednesday after sitting out of practice earlier this week because of injuries.
Kentucky, which practiced indoors on Wednesday because of high winds and the threat of rain in the Lexington area, had two key parts of its defensive front also return to the practice fields in defensive linemen Mister Cobble and Donte Rumph, while junior linebacker/end Ridge Wilson did not practice on Wednesday. UK head coach Joker Phillips said having Cobble and Rumph emerge as starters this season has changed how teams have played UK.
“Those guys have changed the way people have tried to attack us now,” Phillips said about the defensive front of Cobble and Rumph. “Those guys are big (bodies) that hold the point of attack and get off blocks by using their hands and making plays for us. Those guys are really important for us.
“Ridge is important for us also because when that happens they usually bounce his way. He has done a good job of making plays, both he and Winston (Guy) on the perimeter.”
Phillips said he is expecting a big crowd and for Vanderbilt to play with a lot of emotion on Saturday because that is what he has seen from the Commodores all season. The UK head coach said the Wildcats will need their fans to show up in Nashville as well.
“You watch them all year and they have played with a lot of emotions and had some big crowds,” Phillips said. “We expect a big crowd and expect our people to come out also. There is still a lot for us out there to play for so we need our fans to show up.”
Phillips also said after practice that junior Gene McCaskill will return punts on Saturday, while senior Mychal Bailey and freshman Ashely Lowery will return kickoffs.
Greater Nashville UK Alumni Club Hosting Pregame Event at Vanderbilt: Heading to Nashville to cheer on the Cats? Join UK alumni and friends for some pregame fun before UK meets Vanderbilt on Saturday!
The pregame event begins at 9 a.m. CT in the Regions Bank parking lot, located at the corner of West End and Blakemore, near Vanderbilt Stadium.
The UK pep band and cheerleaders will make an appearance. Admission to the event is free. Food may be purchased from Slow & Low Barbeque.
The event is hosted by the Greater Nashville UK Alumni Club. For questions, contact Jill Smith at jhsmith@uky.edu, 859-257-8906 or 1-800-269-ALUM.
“Cat Walk” at 9:15 a.m. Central: Fans wishing to participate in the “Cat Walk,” cheering the players when they enter Vanderbilt Stadium, should gather at Gate One of the stadium by 9:15 a.m. Central time. Gate One is located on the northwest corner of the stadium, off Natchez Trace Drive.
