Cats Open 2018 Season with Eyes on Taking Next Step
Coming off back-to-back bowl appearances the Kentucky football program is banking on an experienced roster to take the next step in 2018 in its climb toward joining the Southeastern Conference’s elite teams. The journey begins this Saturday vs. Central Michigan at Kroger Field. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
The Cats return 19 total starters, the 11th most in the country, to a team that has won 14 games the past two seasons, including eight in league play. Led by All-America candidates Josh Allen (OLB), C.J. Conrad (TE) and Benny Snell, Jr. (RB), and a defense that has 14 of its top 19 tacklers back, the Cats are primed for a breakthrough.
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| Kentucky vs. Central Michigan | ||
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| Sat., Sept. 1 – 3:30 p.m. ET Kroger Field Lexington, Ky. Game Notes: UK  | CMU Digital Gameday Program Gameday App |
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| Coverage | ||
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TV: ESPNU |
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| UK | 2017 Team Stats | CMU |
| 7-6 | 2017 Record | 8-5 |
| 4-4 | Conference Record | 6-2 |
| 25.5 | Scoring/game | 28.5 |
| 349.8 | Total offense/game | 389.9 |
| 161.7 | Rushing yards/game | 134.2 |
| 188.1 | Passing yards/game | 255.7 |
| 21.6 | Kickoff returns (avg) | 21.2 |
| 14.0 | Punt returns (avg) | 5.4 |
| 42.3 | Punting (avg) | 42.2 |
| 30:20 | Time of possession/game | 28:31 |
| 39.3% | Third down conversion | 30.0% |
| 60.0% | Fourth down conversion | 56.0% |
| 28.2 | Points allowed/game | 27.5 |
| 426.9 | Total yards allowed/game | 370.8 |
| 175.3 | Rush yards allowed/game | 185.2 |
| 251.6 | Pass yards allowed/game | 185.5 |
Snell will lead an offense deep in skill players and an experienced line as a new quarterback settles in as the pilot of the attack. The junior back is on target to re-write the UK record books for rushing in his third season.
Cat Scratches: UK Locked in on CMU after Emotional Offseason
When he needs powerful examples of perseverance and strength through adversity to motivate his team, Mark Stoops doesn’t have far to look.
First, there’s Josh Paschal, the budding star sophomore defensive lineman who was diagnosed with malignant melanoma this summer. Though yet unable to resume football activities, Paschal has remained a constant positive presence around his team.
Then, you have John Schlarman. The All-Southeastern Conference offensive lineman turned UK assistant coach was also diagnosed with cancer this summer. Though the husband and father of four young children is in the midst of an intensive treatment regimen, Schlarman continues to be there for his team.
“I think they can certainly be inspired by the way John is handling this and the way he is going about his business,” Stoops said. “How can you be a player out there feeling sorry for yourself when you have a man that’s just gone through five, six hours of chemo and is sitting out there on the practice field coaching the same way he does every day? That’s pretty inspirational to me and I would assume to the players as well.”
Here’s the thing, though: Stoops isn’t really playing up the inspirational angle. …Read More
Stoops and Barnhart Talk Leadership on New Podcast Episode
How often do you get the chance to listen in on a conversation between a football head coach and his athletics director?
That’s exactly what Kentucky fans are getting just before the Wildcats open the 2018 season, as Mark Stoops joined the Mitch Barnhart Podcast for an episode that was recorded last week.
Their conversation was wide-ranging, touching on topics from fatherhood to this year’s team to leadership. Speaking of leadership, Barnhart asked Stoops about the challenge of working with a group as diverse as a college football team…Read More
Reflecting on Tim Couch’s Record-Setting ’98 Season
With Kentucky football’s season opener fast approaching, there is a buzz in the air among the Big Blue Nation. But, twenty years ago, there may have never been a bigger buzz surrounding the Kentucky football program than when star quarterback Tim Couch was entering his junior season, ultimately his last at UK, before going on to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Couch had a remarkable season during which he rewrote the school record book, ending with a New Year’s Day bowl game and a top-four finish in Heisman Trophy voting. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Couch’s historic junior campaign, let’s look back at five of his best individual performances and 10 touchdown passes to remember from that 1998 season…Read More
Scouting Central Michigan
• Central Michigan went 8-5 last season and finished second in the MAC West Division at 6-2.
• CMU faced Wyoming in the Idaho Potato Bowl in 2017.
• The Chippewas return 14 starters: five on offense, six on defense, 3 specialists.
• Running back Jonathan Ward headlines the offense, having rushed for 1,019 yards and 10 touchdowns last season while averaging 5.7 yards per carry. He also caught 48 passes for 470 yards and three scores.
• The defense returns two of its top three tacklers, including Alex Briones (83 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and three interceptions).
• CMU has posted a winning record in nine of the past 13 seasons, including a 12-win season in 2009.
Series vs. Central Michigan
• Kentucky leads the all-time series 6-0.
• All six games have been played in Lexington, the lastest of which was a 27-13 victory in 2011.
• The two teams staged a high-scoring affair in 2006 with the Cats claiming a 45-36 win. That team, led by QB Andre’ Woodson, went on to win eight games, including a victory over Clemson in the Music City Bowl.
• UK is 19-3 all-time vs. teams from the current alignment of the Mid-American Conference.
• The Cats have won nine straight games vs. schools from the MAC.
• This will be the fifth time UK has opened a season against the Chippewas (1983, ’86, ’90, ’92).
• In UK’s 2011 victory, current NFL linebacker Danny Trevathan had three tackles for loss and an interception.
A UK Win Would…
• Improve UK’s record to 87-36-5 in season openers, including 4-2 under coach Mark Stoops.
• Improve UK’s record to 7-0 over Central Michigan
• Give UK its 10th consecutive win over a MAC team, dating back to 2006.
• Improve UK’s record to 20-3 vs. teams from the MAC.
• Give Kentucky wins in back-to-back season openers, four of the past five and nine of the last 12 openers.
• Improve UK’s overall record at Kroger Field to 157-132-4.
• Improve coach Mark Stoops’ record at home to 21-16 overall and 13-4 vs. non-SEC foes.
Don Franklin Auto Countdown to Kickoff Show
All-Southeastern Conference defensive end Jeremy Jarmon and former quarterback Dusty Bonner will be alongside host Christi Thomas for the Don Franklin Auto Countdown To Kickoff, the two-hour pregame show that airs prior to each UK football game in 2018.
A live video broadcast of Countdown to Kickoff will air on UKAthletics.com, the UK Athletics mobile app and the Kentucky Football Facebook page.
For home games, Countdown to Kickoff will broadcast live in front of Nutter Field House outside Gate 1 of Kroger Field with special guests and giveaways. The set of the show is conveniently located near the Coke Fan Zone in Nutter Field House and the Cat Walk presented by Chevy.
When the Wildcats are on the road, the show will broadcast from Kroger at the Tates Creek Centre in Lexington.
