It was an ugly, ugly Homecoming game, boys and girls. Squandering away all the goodwill a mid-season win against then-number 1 LSU provided, the University of Kentucky Football team lost to the steadily improving Mississippi State by the paltry score of 31-14. In one of their worst showings in two seasons, the Cats came out flat on both sides of the ball and never recovered.
The scoring of only 14 points -- one touchdown per half -- for a team that averages 42 a game -- point glaringly at the ineptitude of UK's offense. The 31 points by MSU implicate the defense - not to mention the Bulldog's 200-yard rushing attack.
Kentucky turned the ball over a WHOPPING 8 TIMES in the second half (4 fumbles, 3 interceptions and a loss of possession on 4th down... and I think I'm forgetting another one)... all-in-all, not their best performance, wouldn't you say?
Anyway, UK's much-needed bye-week is this upcoming week and hopefully they can get healthy for their 3-game stretch run.
Because of injuries, they were down to the 5th string running back and Keenan Burton did not play. However, this IN NO WAY takes away from MSU's performance. They were the better team today and they certainly deserve all the credit for causing the crucial turnovers that helped win them the game.
Now the Bulldogs are only one win away from bowl eligibility, a huge stride for Sylvester Croom and his Mississippi State football team. For UK, they have a tough road to salvage what could've been a fantastic season. Now they are just looking to maintain the momentum last year's season gave them.
It won't be easy. The next three games see the Cats travel to Nashville to play a solid Vanderbilt team; to Georgia to play a Bulldog team wanting payback for last year; ending the season with Tennessee, a team they haven't defeated in 24 years.
Also, Andre' Woodson played himself out of the Heisman discussion this afternoon.
Cats, your destiny is in your hands. Do with it what you will.
The Florida Gators escaped from Commonwealth Stadium today with a hard-fought 45-37 victory over the University of Kentucky Wildcats. In a game that saw plenty of offensive fireworks (and little defense), Tim Tebow and the Gators ultimately proved to be too much to handle for UK; particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
While the Cats never quit, they could never overcome their 1st half mistakes that saw them leave almost 21 points on the field. However, UK deserves a lot of credit for their efforts... as do the Gators, who reminded everybody their season isn't done.
Kudos to Florida who deserved to win, but they should probably thank some prominent deities they faced the Cats with an off-week to prepare... not to mention having the Cats after a taxing battle with LSU. True, that last statement sounds like a bitter loser, but after today's game, yeah, this one hurt. I'll be back later with a look back at the game.
Until then, GBB!!!
PS: I'm proud of this Cat team... more than words can say.
Stepping up for an ineffective Keenan Burton, Stevie Johnson once again played savior for the 2007 UK Football season. His catch against LSU gave the Cats the go-ahead score as UK beat a number 1 team for the first since -- say it loud -- 1964.
Go on with your bad self, Stevie. Should be an interesting college poll tomorrow.
After a 3-overtime war, the University of Kentucky Wildcats did something they haven't done since 1964:
BEAT A NUMBER 1 RANKED TEAM!!!!!!!
That's right, the UK Wildcats beat the LSU Tigers in a 3-overtime classic by the score of 43-37. The Cats stopped the Tigers on 4th and 2 in the 3rd OT to preserve the win. Stevie Johnson, the destroyer of previous programs like Louisville, caught the winning touchdown pass.
I'm speechless right now and I haven't been able to form coherent sentences for about 30 minutes. I'll be back later with a full write-up. My God... they DID IT!!!!!
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.
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!!!
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.
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-#### 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 ####... 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 of####REAT 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 ####!!! 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. ####. 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.
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.
Well, we're just under a quarter of the way towards the
finish line of the college football regular season and it goes without saying
the University of Kentucky football team is in a position to experience a
season for the ages - well, by UK standards anyway. To wit, the
Cats are:
- 5-0 for the first time in forever...
- Ranked 8th in the AP Poll, giving them a top-10 ranking
for the first time in, well, forever*...
What is the cause of all this good fortune that has befallen
the Cats; a team that wasn't even ranked when the season kicked-off (although,
the Clemson Tigers - the team UK beat in the Music City Bowl last year -
were)?
At first glance, most people would say our successes start
and perhaps end with quarterback André Woodson (according to some, "First-name apostrophes are the new
Heisman pose") and you wouldn't get much of an argument because his 5-game
stat line is pretty damn gaudy:
Attempts/Completions: 112 -167 for a 67% completion
rate. He's also thrown for 1309 yards and 16 touchdowns with only one
interception.
However, UK's
offense is much more than Dre, although having him deliver the ball to the
under-appreciated skill players helps immensely. While we are on the
subject of passing, let's look at who Woodson throws the ball to and where they
rank among other SEC leaders:
Keenan Burton
Yes, I am the flagship member of the number 19 fan club, but my affections are
deserved. Burton
is second in the SEC in receptions a game (6 - behind Vandy's Earl Bennett) and
is fifth in receiving yards a game (84.4). However, in the all-important
receiving touchdown category, Burton
is tied for first with five. He also has a two-point conversion
reception.
Dicky Lyons, Jr
Because Burton gets a truckload of the defense's attention, Lyons and Steve Johnson split time as the
number two and number three receivers. Both
options are exceptional at what they do. Lyons' 23 receptions put him in the
SEC top-10 for receptions a game. Lyons also has
three touchdown catches, two behind league-leader Burton, and is also quick with quotable
utterances. When asked about his feelings about just-defeated Louisville a few weeks
ago, he offered these emphatic thoughts:
Stevie Johnson
UK’s other "second"
receiver, Johnson let the world know about him with his awesome game-winning
touchdown catch against rival Louisville,
but he hasn't stopped there. He had a
big game against Arkansas
and had a nifty touchdown catch against Florida Atlantic. Currently, Johnson has 16 catches for 297 and
4 touchdowns, putting him right behind Burton
for overall SEC leadership in the touchdown reception category.
Can't forget about Jacob
Tamme either. The preseason 1st team
SEC tight-end has performed just like you would expect: dependable, catches everything thrown to him
and he's a hard player for opposing linebackers to cover. I expect to see Tamme playing on Sundays next
year (think Jason Witten).
However, UK
offense attack is not limited to the passing game, as much as the world would
have you believe. The Cats can actually
run the ball as well, giving opponents a balanced attack that’s really hard to
scheme for. Observe:
Sitting in 3rd with the current SEC rushing leaders is Rafael Little. In just 82 rushing attempts (in one less game,
Darren McFadden has 105 attempts), Little has amassed 542 yards rushing and 3
touchdowns. For those of you not into
math, that's 6.7 yards a carry… and Little has a stable of help that goes by the names of Tony Dixon, Alfonso Smith and true freshman Derrick Locke (remember him, Hog fans?).
Dixon is averaging 8.1 yards a carry with 3
touchdowns, while Smith and Locke are averaging 7.9 and 7.5, respectively.
Furthermore, it would be remiss of me if I forget about
fullback John Conner (where's
Reece?We need to save SARAH!!!!!!!) who
has four touchdowns, two rushing and two receiving… not to mention, he'll block
the hell out of you if you happen to get caught in his clear-the-way-for-Little
path.
Be warned, UK’s
success isn't all offense and no defense either, a lament that last year's team
wore very well on many occasions. Case
in point, the leading tackler in the SEC is one Wesley Woodyard with 58, 12 more than the next player. Not only that, but UK’s team defense has been
holding their own as well… except when it comes to defending the run, but a
great deal of that came from the two-headed monster in Fayetteville.
Furthermore, UK
was ranked almost dead last in the NCAA when it came to defense last year. This year, they check in at an
almost-respectable 69th, 50 spots higher than they were 2006.
Before the season started, I said if UK can improve
their defense only slightly, they would have an opportunity to turn some heads
and so far, they have. However, most
don’t believe UK
is anywhere near deserving of its ranking, something I understand but still
take umbrage with.
A lot of these complainers are acting like UK came out of
nowhere this year, which tells me they weren't really paying attention last
year, except to their own teams and now that UK is prominent on a national
level (at least for this week), people are acting like we've done nothing to
deserve it.
Nothing at all.
To which I say: Bull####. UK has one of
the best offenses in the NATION and a defense that plays hard and does just
enough to give the offense an opportunity to win. We've already won two games every pundit in America expected us to lose, but yet, the argument that UK hasn't played anybody still remains.
I'm sorry, didn't everyone pick us to lose to UofL and Arkansas? What happens when UK beats them? UK still hasn't done anything yet... except, of course, win the two games a large majority didn't think they could.
However, this is another pointless argument because the opportunity for UK to prove themselves - again - presents itself a number of times throughout the year... none more, however, than the next three games, which sees UK go against South Carolina
(THURSDAY NIGHT, BOYS AND GIRLS), LSU (you know, the number 1 team in the
country), and that one team from Gainesville.
Obviously, these next three games are a
murder's row and UK
is going to have to play their best ball to go 1-2 in these match-ups. However, if the impossible continues to
happen and UK
actually WINS ALL 3, they deserve the number 1 ranking in the country.
And no, I did not stutter there. I did say NUMBER 1.
Stay tuned. Until later, GBB!!!
* Not really on both of those forevers; it just feels that
way…
Sorry for the lack of Cat posts this week -- duties at work prevented some day post (something they want me to do when I have time)... although, judging by the amount of responses to the Hope Solo post, maybe I should switch to covering women's soccer. ;)
Anyway, the Cats rolled over the Howard Schnellenberger-led Florida Atlantic Owls by the score of 45-17. Leading the way for the Cats was Heisman hopeful, André Woodson, who was
26-33 for 303 yard and 5 touchdowns, a career high. Alas, as awesome as Dré was, his streak of pass attempts without an interception ended in the second half when he threw an errant pass that was corralled in by Tavious Polo.
FWIW, Polo -- a freshman -- leads the nation with seven interceptions, meaning it takes the best to beat the best. Dré's streak ends with 325 attempts without an interception, obliterating the old record of 271, which was held by Trent Dilfer.
Also, it's kind of satisfying on the day his no-interception streak ends, he passes for his career high in touchdowns. That's a give-and-take I don't mind witnessing. Not only was Dré spectacular, his pass distribution was as well. Four of his five TDs went to four different receivers, further demonstrating just how potent the UK offense has become.
Not to be forgotten in all the André Woodson hype is the workman effort by running back Rafael Little. Little carried the ball 20 times for 117 yards. He continues to pace the Cats and SEC while making sure opposing defenses can't dial in on the passing attack.
Balance is good.
Keenan Burton Watch Number 19 was his normally-spectacular self, delivering 6 carries for 100 yards and a sick 34-yard touchdown catch. If you read this blog, you are well aware of my affection for Burton. I will unabashedly call him the best receiver in the SEC and performances like this -- fresh of his dominant second half against Arkansas -- make my argument for me. He's not just another horse in a stable of thoroughbreds, he's the leader of said stable.
More on this subject later this week. Meanwhile, enjoy the pics from his awesome touchdown:
Other thoughts For some reason, the defense was getting an amount of criticism I didn't expect. They held the Owls to seven second-half points, and those came in the fourth quarter after a long kick-off return. Personally, I don't think they played all that badly against a team that put 42 on Minnesota, twelve more than the "almighty" Ohio State...
Kudos to sophomore linebacker Micah Johnson. He led the Cats with nine tackles and an interception that was returned for UK's final touchdown. Nicely done, Micah. BTW, don't sleep on the UK linebacking corps. Led by Wesley Woodyard, they've identified themselves as a legitimate force in the SEC.
Oh yeah, in light of all the upsets today, many of the pundits are saying UK is a top-5 team. On a national scale. The first to make this declaration was ESPN's Mark May... I'm kinda speechless. More on this tomorrow.
Oh yeah, the Lones Seiber kicking experience continued its herky-jerky ride today. While UK's placekicker looks like he's FINALLY over his extra-point woes, his field goal kicking is suspect. He missed BADLY on a 42-yarder to end the first half, but looked pretty competent on a 33-yarder in the second half. I'm just waiting for the day a game comes down to the feet of Seiber. I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep my sanity...
Up next for the Cats: a Thursday night showdown with Steve Spurrier and the South Carolina Gamecocks. ESPN will be hosting the festivities. Coach Superior has never lost to Kentucky. Now would be a great time to end that little streak. Kick-off is 7:30 pm and I'll probably be live-blogging it here at Fox Sports... Stay tuned.
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. 
