UK Football Articles for 9/13

[WildcatRick]

Kentucky blowout sets up possible track meet against Louisville


Kentucky coach Rich Brooks spent last week guaranteeing his players weren't looking ahead to Louisville.

After a sluggish -- even ugly -- first half in which the Wildcats were deadlocked with an inferior opponent, Brooks gave his team a tongue-lashing.

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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The result, a 56-20 victory over Kent State Saturday night, and Brooks waxing philosophically about whether he should yell a little more regularly.

"I guess maybe I need to rant and rave more often," Brooks said. "I told them we need to play like we're capable of rather than like we're sleep walking."

If the teams' first two games are any indication, this week's intrastate game between Kentucky and Louisville could be a track meet. The two teams have combined for 237 points so far this season.

As things started against Kent State, it certainly didn't appear Kentucky was headed to a blowout victory.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=270946

[WildcatRick]

On a weekend where Tennessee will play at Florida, USC will be at Nebraska and Boston College will be at Georgia Tech, one of the more interesting, yet overlooked, matches of the weekend will be in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Louisville Cardinals and Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Brian Brohm will face the Kentucky Wildcats and their All-SEC candidate quarterback Andre Woodson.

With these two offenses, the over/under in this game could reach triple digits.

http://blog.al.com/lindys/2007/09/on_a_weekend_where_tennessee.html

[WildcatRick]

The last time Kentucky receiver Keenan Burton talked to Michael Bush by phone, Bush was complaining that his new Oakland Raider teammates had just sent him to buy fried chicken.

"I said, 'Why are you upset?"' Burton said. "'You've got the money to spend. What's a $5 meal from Popeyes?"'

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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Burton easily could have followed his best friend to the guaranteed wealth of an NFL player. Instead, he decided to delay his pro dreams for a year to return to Kentucky, pursue his journalism degree, up his draft stock and help the Wildcats (2-0) build on last year's first bowl victory in 22 years.

Oh, and then there is that other motivation that will come only once this season -- Saturday against No. 9 Louisville (2-0), which plays its home games at Papa John's Stadium "just steps," in Burton's words, from where he grew up.

Burton always wanted to be a Cardinal, and if he'd converted to defensive back, he might have realized those dreams. But after gaining high school fame as an option quarterback, he saw himself as an offensive player -- likely a receiver -- at the next level. Kentucky saw him that way too.


http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=272564

[WildcatRick]

U OF L DEFENSE IS RANKED 86TH NATIONALLY

by Rick Bailey

Louisville defender Earl Heyman hit the practice field this week to make himself and his team better ... "become a better team player," he said.

The Cardinals defense was riddled for 555 total yards against Middle Tennessee last week. The Louisville offense, though, ran and passed for 729 yards in a 58-42 victory.

The U of L defense will seek to restore its reputation against the host Kentucky Wildcats in the Governor's Cup on Saturday.

Personally, Heyman said he would focus on coming off the ball low and hard and shooting his hands quickly into blockers.

"It comes down to whoever gets their hands on who first," he said. "Who makes the first contact usually wins. I'll try to get better on that."

Communication also is high on Heyman's agenda as the much-anticipated rivalry game nears.

http://www.kentucky.com/269/story/175395.html