I'm still licking the wounds from the South Carolina debacle... there's nothing like watching your team give games away AFTER you thought they had turned such a corner. Oh well, at least my preseason predictions are still intact (I picked the Cats to lose to the Cocks). I really don't have much else to say about the game because if I have to relive those damn mistakes, I'll probably put my keyboard through my monitor.

I did, however, enjoy the live-blog exercise, although, it would've been nice if you all would've participated. Perhaps I need to spam myself a little more around here. ;) Oh yeah, I have a laptop now so future live-blog events will be MUCH easier.

Anyway, this upcoming weekend is going to be huge if you are a fan of UK Athletics. First off, on Friday, the first practice of the upcoming college basketball begins (better known as Big Blue Madness). The basketball Cats will kick-off the 2007-08 season at 9pm EST in front of a sold-out Rupp Arena.

I am expecting the roof to be torn off because the hype surrounding the Billy Gillispie hire and the Patrick Patterson signing has got Cat fans frothing at the mouth. Can BCG (Billy Clyde Gillispie) return the Cats to upper-prominence? It certainly looks that way... at least from an initial prognosis.

While most of the player hype is focused on Patterson, I personally can't wait to see Alex Legion. I got to watch him in a couple of scrimmages during the summer and let me just say this kid is INCREDIBLY explosive.

He absolutely has springs in his legs and one of the quicker releases I've ever seen.

It will be damn near impossible to keep him out of the line-up... Not to mention he's quite confident in his abilities, an attribute I certainly admire. Speaking to the Herald-Leader, his confidence is very apparent.

On adjusting to college:

"I think I've made the adjustment quite well. Some days I dominate. Some days I look like the best player out there."

When asked about starting and playing time importance:

"Real important. I'm not going to lie. I came here to start and play. I don't think any college player comes to be the sixth man. If (starting) doesn't happen, I'll want to be the best man off the bench."

Who his game is comparable to:

"Most AAU analysts compare me to Ray Allen, which is fairly accurate."

You have absolutely got to love a player with that much skill and self-assuredness. Legion will be a joy to watch while he's in a Cat uniform and beyond.

Of course, if basketball's not your thing (a UK fan? Yeah, right), there is a football game of note to be played on Saturday as well. That's right, the number one team in the country travels to Lexington for what most see as a beatdown of the Cats. While I'm not silly enough to say we are going to beat LSU, I do think if the offensive line gives Woodson time to throw, we'll be in it at the end.

I'm also not that impressed with LSU offense, but of course, as I say that, they'll probably score 1000 on Saturday. Although, if Wesley Woodyard and company can contain Hester and the Trevard Lindey can take his side of the field away, I think the Cats can make this a competitive match-up...

Of course, we all remember what happened the last time LSU came to Lexington: they made the college football play of the year with the Bluegrass Miracle (no links, if you are that curious, go YouTube it).

All I'll say is this, if UK is in a position where another Bluegrass Miracle is needed for LSU to win, I'll be ecstatic.

Enjoy the weekend Cats fans. It's gonna be a big one.

Here's another pic of one of the UK Dance Team members. Just because. Her name is Regan Judd. No relation to Ashley... that I know of.

Until later, GBB!!!

While the final score reads 38-23, 21 of SC's points came from turnovers -- two directly and one from a late UK non-4th down conversion. A hat-tip goes out to SC's defense, who played a big part in UK's 5 cough-ups, including South Carolina's first score of the game.

During the play, Woodson fumbled while being sacked. SC's Eric Norwood recovered and took it in for the TD, one of two fumble returns Norwood returned for six.

While the Gamecocks deserve credit for covering UK's down-field attack, Woodson and Burton seemed out of sync on passes beyond the dink-and-dunk variety. The two missed a number of times on deeper passes that Burton normally makes plays on. Same for Woodson who overthrew Burton once one a WIDE open play and another under throw that resulted in a Woodson interception... in the red zone, no less.

On the other hand, the defense did the best it could do. In fact, UK's defense initiated a number of 3-and-outs in the 1st and 2nd half... alas, the offense couldn't respond. In defeat, UK is now 0-15 against Coach Steve Spurrier. Awesome. Time to enter "maybe next year" mode.

A game-ball goes out the Raphael Little, who had 135 yards on 25 carries. Little also corralled 3 passes for 23 yards and was the KEY component to any of UK's positive drives.

I'll be back tomorrow with a longer write-up. Until then, GBB!!!

The season is FAR from over.

BB in a few...

2043
SC Kicking off. And we are underway!

2047
Bad decision by Woodson who was getting sacked. A lateral to John Conner goes behind him and SC scores on the recovery.  That's 2 defensive touchdowns.  And now, UK fins itself in a 14-point hole.... No more blogging for a while.  I wanna watch this beat down without having to worry about the updates. 

Note to self: get a laptop for this stuff..

I'll be back after the game is decided.

What's up folks. 20 minutes til game time and we are ready to go. This is my first attempt at live-blogging any sporting event and it's funny that it's a Cat game... a football one at that. Tonight UK goes travels to Columbia, SC to face Steve Spurrier and his South Carolina Gamecocks.

The principals
SC: Steve Spurrier and surprisingly, his defense. The Gamecock running game, featuring Cory Boyd and Mike Davis, is pretty stout as well. The Spurrier offense is led by true freshman quarterback Chris Smelley, who steps in for senior Blake Mitchell.

UK: The Cats are led by Andre Woodson and his explosive offense. The Cats' defense is improving as well. Look for Wesley Woodyard to have a big game if they are to succeed tonight.

Your Host: Me and I'm armed with a 12-pack of Coors Light, although, I'm not sure if it's gonna be enough. Stay tuned.

Update:
Mark May just picked us to win on Sportscenter and of course, ex-Cock coach Lou Holth picked us to lose. Kick-off is almost upon us.

Alright!!! Erin Andrews. We can overlook the fact that she's a Gator grad...

This Just In
Lou Holth SUCKS... did it ever occur to you that losing streaks can come to an end?

Here We Go!!!!!!!!
I need a freaking timestamp. UK is kicking off in a soggy Columbia. Let's GET IT ON.

6:49pm (CST)
Why do these celebrity introductions look like they are reading a cue card? Because they aren't trained speakers. Do something else ESPN.

SC call timeout before it's first play from scrimmage. Spurrier's got something up...

1852
UK sucks on 3rd and long...

1854
A good block on Woodyard gets SC to midfield...

1856
Jesus Christmas!!!!!!! UK dodges a bullet and forces a fumble at the goal line that goes out of the end zone for a touchback for UK... however, it's under review.

Upheld!!!

1900
Well f**k... on the resulting possession, Woodson fumbles it after a sack and SC recovers and scores.

7-0 SC Ugly start.

1904
After a big run by Little, UK is forced to punt. They look sloppy... Good punt by Mastay... inside the 10. The defense needs to not give up 3rd and longs anymore, either. SC is pumped up too. UK needs to match their intensity.

1909
Good D... SC - 3 and out. My buddy Pete Yoder is here (he says what's up) and we are enjoying some Coors and UK... btw, he's an IU grad but is supportive of UK. Interesting but it works. ;)

1918
Woodson misses Little from the 7-yard line... it looks like he missed Burton in the flat as well. In positive news, Seiber hits a field goal inside 30 yards. Worse things have happened.

SC - 7
UK - 3

1923
UK is getting killed by 3rd and long. They've had the Cocks in 3rd and 6 or more a number of times... 1st down EVERY TIME.. a suspect penalty helped SC's cause as well. OVER THE HEAD.

1926
As if prophetically, UK gives up 3rd and 16... Addendum: SC calls time out on 3rd and 8 on their 11, annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd: UK holds them to a FG. Thank them all.

10 - 3 SC

1934
Woodson misses a WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDE open Keenan Burton (who could've moonwalked into the end zone...) &*&%&$*#&&*$(*#... End of the 1st quarter. Woodson needs to calm down a tad, I think. You don't miss the best receiver in the SEC when he's THAT wide open...

SC - 7
UK - 3

1942
TOUCHDOWN KENTUCKY!!!!!!! A FANTASTIC catch by Jacob Tamme off a GREAT throw by Woodson who had mad pressure in his face. However, Rafael Little gets the game ball on that drive. He got them down there.

UK - 10
USC - 10

1950
3rd and 20, SC.... Holy Shit!!! Intentional Grounding SC. Great hit by Ventrell Jenkins. 4 and LOOOOOOOOOOONG. Nice job D!!!

2000
Bad throw by Woodson that results in an interception... and Woodson gets shaken up trying to make the tackle. And we were in the blue zone as well. F**K. Even worse, it was good drive that got them down there. However, UK holds them to 3 and out.

Nicely done Defense!!!!!!!

2012
BACK!!!! Had to feed the animals... anyway, UK goes 3 and out, but a booming punt by Mastay moved SC back. However, SC is driving.

2017
After a 10-play, 89-yard drive, SC's Davis takes it in the end zone from about 2 yards out. UK's 3 and out hurt their defense who probably needed some more time on the bench...

SC - 17
UK - 10

Halftime
UK's down after not playing so well on offense. They are saying SC's D played well, I say UK screwed themselves with turnovers, ESPECIALLY the one on the goal line. Throw it away, Dre... That Burton miss wasn't great, but Tamme and Woodson more than made up for it. I am optimistic about the way we've been able to move the ball, except on that possession before that last drive by SC, an impressive 89-yarder in no time. A good half for Rafael Little, who has 59 yards rushing on some STRONG carries.

I'll be back in the second half with another post.

Who ya got?

Normally, I would do an in-depth write-up about the Cats/Cocks game but I'm under a few time constraints right now. There are a couple of really good ones out there already, including an interesting look at SC's highly-ranked pass defense.

My condensed thoughts: this will be as tough a game UK has played all year, obviously. If you've been paying attention here, you already know Spurrier's record against UK (undefeated) and if you've read some of the previous comments, you'd think UK has no business traveling to Columbia...

Anyway, I think UK's offense will do well against SC, however, I'm concerned about the defense. The Cocks are coming out of their shell offensively (these things just kinda write themselves, don't they?) and if Wesley Woodyard and company don't show up, Woodson and "The Stable" may not have much of a say.

Game time is 7:30 EST and I'll be here taking a shot at live-blogging my first Cat game of any kind. Feel free to drop by and join me... I'll be here around 7:00 to get things started correctly.

My prediction:

UK - 45
Cocks - 42

(it's worked the last two times I used it so no need to stop now)...

Until tonight, GBB!!!

BTW, Every Day Should Be Saturday (the best college football blog in the world) is in love w/Woodson, an idea I can get behind... Here's a pic of a UK Dance Team member to tide you over until gametime... Enjoy.