Liberty Bowl articles from the Courier-Journal (Jan 3rd)

[WildcatRick]

Young receivers help lift Cats' battered offense(UK Notebook)

The University of Kentucky offense didn't rack up huge statistics in its 25-19 AutoZone Liberty Bowl win over East Carolina -- it had 310 yards -- but it did show improvement.

That was especially true for the <NOBR style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 100%">Wildcats </NOBR>young wide receivers.

"We said the light had come on with some of those young guys; we just didn't know how bright," offensive coordinator Joker Phillips said. "It came on for all of them, but it shined a little brighter for a few of them."

Sophomore Kyrus Lanxter caught five passes for 46 yards and a touchdown, freshman Gene McCaskill had three catches for 64 yards and freshman Eric Adeyemi had two catches for 31 yards.

The Cats were without their top three receivers from the regular season: Dicky Lyons Jr., Randall Cobb and Derrick Locke, who were all sidelined with injuries.

Jody Demling (http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090103/SPORTS03/901030555/1029/SPORTS03)

[WildcatRick]

Upon further review, the University of Kentucky football program took a step forward this season.

A check of the video replay shows the Wildcats hoisting a third straight bowl trophy after last night's 25-19 win over East Carolina in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

This one was different. This one mirrored the season it followed -- painful at times and seemingly endless. But this one was also the biggest of coach Rich Brooks' unprecedented three bowl wins at UK.

A loss last night would've meant coming home to Lexington with a losing record. It would've halted much of the momentum Brooks & Co. have been building. It would've meant questions about what direction this program really was heading.

It wasn't just a fumble that UK senior defensive end Ventrell Jenkins recovered and ran back for a 56-yard touchdown with 3:02 left to win the game for the Wildcats. He also recovered some of the program's swagger. The Wildcats didn't just fight back from a 16-3 halftime deficit, but from a two-month battle with offensive problems, injuries, and missed opportunities.

"I know it wasn't the Sugar Bowl and Cotton Bowl or anything like what Bear Bryant did (at UK) when he won his two straight," Brooks said. "But it's very, very significant. What I am more proud of probably is the way we did it. It wasn't artistic."

If this game were a work of art, you'd have to classify it as realism.

Eric Crawford (http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090103/COLUMNISTS02/301030003/1029/SPORTS03)

[WildcatRick]

Four years ago University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks and his staff sold a recruiting class on the future.

The recruits weren't lauded by analysts but were told by Brooks they could help build tradition for the <NOBR style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 100%">Wildcats, </NOBR>a program that had won just six games the previous two seasons.

Last night the 21 UK seniors made history -- with three seniors making the biggest plays -- during a 25-19 comeback win over East Carolina before 56,125 fans in the 50th annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.

"We wanted to make history," senior defensive end Ventrell Jenkins said. "And we did."

Jenkins scored the winning touchdown on a 56-yard fumble recovery with 3:02 left.

"I saw the ball on the ground and scooped it up," he said. "I saw one guy coming after me, and then I saw the quarterback after me and knew he was an athlete. I did two moves at once, a stiff-arm and a high step. … The next thing I knew I was laying down in the end zone with the rest of my team on top of me."

Another senior, David Jones, sparked a 22-point second half with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the third quarter. Senior running back Tony Dixon sealed the deal, rushing for two first downs to run out the clock.

Jody Demling (http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090103/SPORTS03/901030527/1029)

[Sam K.]

Thanks, Rick. I enjoy reading these and the many others you provide.

[WildcatRick]

Thanks, Rick. I enjoy reading these and the many others you provide.

You're welcome, Sam. Just posted the other articles from LHL a few seconds ago.:thumbup:

[WildcatRick]

Bump for the Liberty Bowl Champs!!!

[poodoo]

LIBERTY BOWL CHAMPS! Yes, that has a nice RING ;) to it! Too, as always, WildcatRick, thanks a million for the links. :)