April 21, 2012
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky football team held its final practice session of the spring Friday and Coach Joker Phillips continues to be increasingly pleased with his team’s recent performances in practices and scrimmages.
“It was a really good day today,” Phillips said. “I love being out here in the spring and working on our fundamentals and our technique. I thought we got better at that.
“We know we have had a good spring. We have gotten a lot better from day one to now. We ought to get better because we are so young at many positions. We got a lot of young guys reps (practice repetitions) and we invested in those guys. We expected to get better because we are so young. So, there is no doubt that when those guys got better, we got better.”
Following on the theme of newer players, Phillips was asked if he was surprised by any of the performances of the young wide receivers.
“Daryl Collins and Demarco Robinson,” the coach noted. “I don’t know if they surprised me because that’s what you first expected when they first walked in the door (last year). A lot of that has to do with the amount of reps they have gotten this spring. A lot of that is confidence, too. The more reps you get, the more confidence you get. They have been working with Max (quarterback Maxwell Smith) all offseason and spring, so he feels a little more comfortable with those guys. It is not surprising. It is what we expected from these guys.”
Fans will get a preview of the 2012 Wildcats at Saturday’s Blue/White Game, which begins at 6 p.m. at Commonwealth Stadium.
The game will feature the first team vs. the second team. The second team will be staked to a 14-0 lead at the beginning of the game.
Last year, the format produced perhaps the most exciting Blue/White Game ever. The second team actually extended the lead to 28-7 before the first unit posted a furious rally to tie the game at 28. The second team won the game, 31-28, with a 38-yard field goal by Joe Mansour in the final minute of the game.
Here is the admission information for the game:
- Admission and parking are free on a first-come, first-served basis. (If you’ve never gotten to sit on the 50-yard line, here’s your chance!)
- The Red, Blue and Green parking lots open at 8 a.m. and fans are invited to tailgate.
- Stadium gates, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11 open at 4:30 p.m.
- Seating will be available in the north, west and south lower sections of the stadium.
Free Posters and Roster Cards to be Given Away: With the Blue/White Game being the first public football event since the conclusion of the 2011 season, UK Athletics has commemorated the season-ending victory over Tennessee – and the excitement of Commonwealth Stadium – with a special edition poster.
The poster features the celebration after UK’s 10-7 win, including quarterback Matt Roark being carried off the field by jubilant fans. Quantities are limited and the posters will be given away first-come, first-served at the stadium gates.
In addition, fans attending the Blue/White Game may pick up free roster cards at the stadium gates.
“Super Surplus Sale” of Team Apparel: UK Athletics will have a “Super Surplus Sale” of team apparel Saturday in conjunction with the Blue/White Game.
Hundreds of items will be available from the sports of football, men’s basketball, baseball, soccer, track and volleyball. The sale will include items such as jerseys, polo shirts, sweatshirts, warmups, hoodies, pants, etc. This sale has been very popular in the past and items will be bargain-priced!
The sale will begin at 3 p.m. in the Wildcat Refuge area between the Blue and Red Lots at the stadium. The sale will continue while supplies last, or through the conclusion of the Blue/White Game.
Fans May Renew Season Tickets at the Game: The stadium ticket office outside gate 4 will be open from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in order for current season-ticket holders to renew their tickets.
Can’t Make it to the Game? Listen on the UK IMG Radio Network: Fans who can’t make it to the game can listen on the radio. Pregame coverage begins at 5:30 p.m. with Tom Leach calling the play-by-play, Jeff Piecoro on analysis and Dick Gabriel reporting from the sidelines.
The UK IMG Radio Network will feature multiple stations across the Commonwealth, including WLAP (630 AM) in Lexington and WKJK (1080 AM) in Louisville.
Fans Invited to Attend Baseball and Football; Baseball Matches #1 vs. #2: Wildcat fans are invited to make it a baseball and football day on Saturday.
The Wildcat baseball team will play host to LSU at 2 p.m. at Cliff Hagan Stadium. The teams are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the nation this week (LSU #1, UK #2) by Collegiate Baseball magazine. UK is 32-5 overall this season and LSU is 30-7. The teams are tied for the lead in the Southeastern Conference with 11-4 records.
Tickets for the baseball game may be purchased at www.UKAthletics.com or by calling 1-800-928-CATS (2287).
National Championship Trophy on Display Twice: Kentucky fans will have two opportunities to view and take photos with the men’s basketball national championship trophy on Saturday.
* The trophy will be on display from noon to 2 p.m. before the UK-LSU baseball game at Cliff Hagan Stadium. The trophy will be inside the stadium, therefore fans must have a ticket to the baseball game in order to have access to the trophy.
* The trophy also will be available to fans from 4 to 6 p.m. at the UK Alumni Association tent at Commonwealth Stadium before the Blue/White Game. There is no charge to attend the Alumni event, details below.
Blue/White Game Tailgate
4 – 6 p.m., Commonwealth Stadium
Join alumni and fans at Commonwealth Stadium outside of Gate 4 to enjoy free drinks, cotton candy, and popcorn. Bring your cameras as we will have the UK Men’s Basketball National Championship Trophy on display at the tent from 4 – 6 p.m. To register for this event and other Alumni Weekend activities visit www.ukalumni.net/alumniweekend
