Sidelines

Don't forget Kent State

With Louisville trashing poor Murray State 73-10, and UK preparing for Saturday night's opener with Eastern Kentucky, you might have missed another significant score from Thursday night's lid-lifters: Kent State 23, Iowa State 14.

That's the same Kent State that comes to Commonwealth Stadium on Sept. 8, the week before Cats-Cards.

Coached by former UK quarterback Doug Martin, a 1985 grad, Kent State trailed the host Cyclones 14-9 in the third quarter before rallying to spoil the debut of new Iowa State head coach Gene Chizik.

Eugene Jarvis ran for 113 yards and the touchdown that put the Golden Flashes up 16-14. On the next possession, Brian Lainhart's interception of an ISU pass gave Kent possession at the Cyclone 8-yard line. Quarterback Justin Edelman, who passed for 161 yards and rushed for 75 more, scored from three yards out to cap the Kent comeback.

Kent turned the ball over three times in the red zone, yet won an opener for the first time since 2003. A long-time assistant at East Carolina, Martin is now 13-22 in this his fourth year as KSU coach. After going 1-10 in 2005, the Golden Flashes were 6-6, including a 5-3 MAC record, last year. Many prognosticators have picked Kent to win the MAC East this season.

"This is a huge win for our program," said Edelman in the Des Moines Register. "This shows that Kent State will do some good things this year."

As last night proved, the Golden Flashes won't be a pushover come Sept. 8.

SEC predictions Week 1

Back with SEC predictions.

Last year's record: 77-17

• LSU at Mississippi State: LSU is ranked No. 2 in the country with a reason. Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom  is on the hot seat for a reason. That Starkville is the site will make little difference. LSU 30, Miss. State 3.

• Western Carolina at Alabama: Nick Saban makes his official debut as the Alabama savior. Remember, Saban did lose a game to UAB as the LSU coach. A similar scenario won't take place here. Not in Tuscaloosa. Bama 41, Western Carolina 14.

• Troy at Arkansas: Troy, with ex-UK assistant Tony Franklin running the offensive show, could give the Razorbacks fits. But the Hogs do have Darren McFadden and the home crowd in Fayetteville. That pulls them through. Arkansas 28, Troy 24.

• Kansas State at Auburn: Give Auburn credit for resisting the popular urge to schedule a cream-puff for the opener. K-State is not the K-State of old, but should give the host Tigers a reasonable game. Auburn 23, Kansas State 7.

• Western Kentucky at Florida: Western Kentucky is moving to Division I-A, oops, the Bowl Division full-time in a couple of years. The Hilltoppers might vote to delay the move after this visit to the Swamp. Florida 52, Western Kentucky 10.

• Oklahoma State at Georgia: No early cupcake for Georgia. Oklahoma State could be a surprise team in the Big 12, and the Cowboys could pull a surprise in Athens. It'll be closer than you think. Georgia 17, Oklahoma State 16.

• La-Lafayette at South Carolina: Steve Spurrier is expected to be without starting quarterback Blake Mitchell, suspended for missing class. That's about the only factor that keeps this from being a total Gamecocks romp. South Carolina 27, La-Lafayette 13.

• Tennessee at California: Perhaps the best game of the entire opening weekend. Tennessee handled the Golden Bears easily last year in Knoxville. This year, Cal wants revenge and UT quarterback Erik Ainge has a broken pinkie on his throwing hand. California 24, Tennessee 15.

• Richmond at Vanderbilt: These are always dangerous games for Vanderbilt, the ones people believe the Commodores should actually win. Earl Bennett and Co. need to get off to a good start. They will. Vanderbilt 30, Richmond 16.

• Ole Miss at Memphis: It's do-or-die for Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron, who probably needs a good season to keep his job. Memphis is in a world of hurt after a dismal '06. The start of '07 won't get much better. Ole Miss 24, Memphis 21.

• Eastern Kentucky at Kentucky: Already picked this game, as well as the season, in this morning's paper. Kentucky 38, Eastern Kentucky 14.

Audio: Rich Brooks

Today marked the first of the weekly SEC football coaches teleconferences.

Here's what Rich Brooks had to say about Saturday's opener against Eastern Kentucky, Andre Woodson, his defense and the status of Braxton Kelley and Ventrell Jenkins: Download rich_brooks_2007_08_29.wav

UK openers before Louisville

Saturday begins either a new era or a return to an old era for Kentucky football. Take your pick. As we well know by now, Louisville is no longer the opening opponent -- remember Rich Brooks says I need to "get a life" -- at least on those years when the annual rivalry game is scheduled at Commonwealth Stadium.

So how did Kentucky do in the years before U of L adorned the first spot on the schedule?

Here's a look:

• Year     Opponent              Res     Score
• 1993    Kent State              W      35-0
• 1992    Central Michigan     W      21-14
• 1991    Miami (O)               W      23-20
• 1990    Central Michigan      W     20-17
• 1989    Indiana                    W     17-14
• 1988    Central Michigan      W     18-7
• 1987    Utah State               W     41-0
• 1986    Rutgers                  T       16-16
• 1985    Bowling Green          L      26-30
• 1984    Kent State               W     42-0

Cleaning house

Only alert readers may have noticed a certain tidbit in Jerry Tipton's notebook last Sunday. One more holdover from Tubby Smith's staff is no longer a holdover. David Kindy will not return as basketball trainer, and though Kindy said he had a "feeling in my gut it's time for something different," he also mentioned he hopes to remain in the Lexington area. That doesn't sound like Kindy is leaving one job to take another.

His departure does fit a pattern, however. Those who worked for the Tubby Smith basketball administration will not be a part of the Billy Gillispie administration.

Let's review:

• Marta McMackin: Long-time basketball office secretary and administrative assistant for Joe B. Hall, Eddie Sutton, Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith was called in by athletics director Mitch Barnhart three days after Billy Gillispie was hired and told she was being transferred to the men's tennis office. McMackin had served in the basketball office for 31 years.

• Scott Holsopple: Hired last year as UK's strength and conditioning coach for basketball, the former Marquette strength coach left after just one basketball season to become assistant strength coach at Florida.

• David Hobbs, Scott Rigot and Reggie Hanson: None of Smith's assistant coaches were retained, no big surprise considering most UK fans wanted Tubby to sacrifice the trio if he remained as head coach. Hanson joined Stan Heath's staff at South Florida. Hobbs was a losing finalist for the head coaching job at Coastal Carolina. Rigot was a losing finalist for the head coaching job at Robert Morris.

• Van Florence: Long-time bigwig in the Committe of 101 and the director of both the UK Basketball Museum and the Tubby Smith Foundation, Florence served in a part-time fund-raising position for the athletics administration while Smith was coach. When Smith left for Minnesota, Florence was told his part-time position was a no-time position resigned.

• David Kindy: The Florida State graduate joined UK in 1998, Smith's first season. He leaves after Smith's final season. No replacement has been named.

• Bill Keightley: No one messes with Mr. Wildcat. Right?

UK football depth chart

Here is the UK depth chart as released today:

Offense                                                                        Defense

TE    18-Jacob Tamme, Sr.                        DE    20-Dominic Lewis, Sr.
        80-T.C. Drake, So.                                    90-Jamil Paris, So.         
       86-Ross Bogue, So.                                     69-B.J. Wiedemann, Fr-RS

LT    79-Garry Williams, Jr.                        DT    91-Corey Peters, So.
        74-Joe Fischer, Jr.                                     53-Ricky Lumpkin, Fr.-RS
        68-Phillip Hibbard, Fr.                                95-Ventrell Jenkins, Jr.

LG    72-Zipp Duncan, So.                            DT   98-Myron Pryor, Jr.    
        78-Christian Johnson, Jr.                            96-J.D. Craigman, Sr.
        73-Jess Beets, Jr.                                       60-Shane McCord, Fr.

C        59-Eric Scott, Sr.                               DE    99-Jeremy Jarmon, So.   
        61-Jorge Gonzalez, So.                                94-Travis Day, Sr.
        77-Marcus Davis, Fr.-RS                               93-Austin Moss, So.

RG    66-Jason Leger, So.                             SLB    51-Johnny Williams, Jr.
        70-Stuart Hines, Fr.                                      50-Sam Maxwell, So.
        64-Josh Winchell, Jr.                                     48-Terry Clayton, Sr.

RT    76-Justin Jeffries, So.                         MLB      4-Micah Johnson, So.
        75-Brad Durham, Fr.                                      43-Mikhail Mabry, So.
        74-Joe Fischer, Jr.                                        56-Braxton Kelley, Jr.

WR    19-Keenan Burton, Sr.                        WLB     16-Wesley Woodyard, Sr.
        13-Steve Johnson, Sr.                                    21-Michael Schwindel, So.
        81-Kyrus Lanxter, Fr.                                     47-A.J. Nance, So.

WR    12-Dicky Lyons, Jr., Jr.                        CB      34-Paul Warford, So.
        8-DeMoreo Ford, Jr.                                        17-E.J. Adams, So.
        89-Sean Murphy, Sr.                                        36-Robbie McAtee, Jr.

QB      3-Andre Woodson, Sr.                          SS      35-Roger Williams, Sr.
          5-Mike Hartline, Fr-RS                                   27-Ashton Cobb, So.
          1-Will Fidler, Fr-RS                                        11-Greg Wilson, Fr.

FB     38-John Conner, So.                                FS      2-Marcus McClinton-Jr.
        40-Maurcie Grinter, So.                                    33-Calvin Harrison, So.
        30-Moncell Allen, Fr.                                         31-Jordan Nevels, So.

TB     22-Rafael Little, Sr.                                 CB     32-Trevard Lindley, So.
        28-Tony Dixon, Jr.                                              7-David Jones, Jr.
        29-Alfonso Smith, So.                                       25-Ahmad Grigsby, Jr.

KO    44-Tim Masthay, Jr.                                 SNAP   74-Brad Hart, Fr.-RS
                                                                                 65-J.J. Helton, Fr.-RS

HOL    44-Tim Masthay, Jr.                                 FG     36-Lones Seiber, So.
            18-Jacob Tamme, Sr.                                       97-J.J. Housley, Jr.
                                                                                    9-Ryan Tydlacka, Fr.

P         44-Tim Masthay, Jr.                                  KOR    19-Keenan Burton, Jr.
             9-Ryan Tydlacka, Fr.                                         29-Alfonso Smith, So.
                                                                                    28-Tony Dixon, Jr.
                                                                                      7-David Jones, Jr.

PR      22-Rafael Little, Sr.
          19-Keenan Burton, Sr.
            12-Dicky Lyons, Jr., Jr.

Pryor will miss opener

As Rich Brooks put it at his first press luncheon of the season today, here's one more reason the UK coach is glad that Louisville isn't the opening opponent this year.

There's six months between the end of last season and the start of this season. Six months for a player to get in trouble. Myron Pryor apparently was just such a player.

Brooks announced that UK's starting defensive tackle has been suspended from the Cats' opener against Eastern Kentucky on Saturday for a violation of team rules. It is a one-game suspension, so the 300-pound junior should be back in the lineup Sept. 8 against Kent State.

That was the biggest piece of news from the Brooks presser. Some other tidbits:

• Linebacker Wesley Woodyard had his cast removed yesterday, and will play with some sort of padding against EKU.

• Backup offensive tackle James Alexander is scheduled to receive his third epidural injection and will miss Saturday's game.

• Freshman running back Moncel Allen will play with a cast.

• Ricky Lumpkin, a redshirt freshman, will start in place of Pryor.

• Asked for a list of true freshmen who might see action Saturday, Brooks mentioned Shane McCord, Jacob Dufrense, Craig Wilson, Brad Durham,  Phillip Hibbard,  Kyrus Lanxter, Moncel Allen and Derrick Lock. He said Stuart Hines is not ready.

• Brooks said linebacker Braxton Kelley, out with a high ankle sprain, could be available for spot duty.

• Christian Johnson, a starter last year, is second-team on the depth chart and has "regressed" from last year, according to Brooks.

• Here's audio from wide out Keenan Burton today at the luncheon: Download keenan_burton_2007_08_27.wav

• Here's audio from senior defensive end Dominic Lewis: Download dominic_lewis_2007_08_27.wav

Audio: Joker Phillips

As an addition to today's column on how opponents are likely to be more prepared for the Cats this year, here's audio from offensive coordinator Joker Phillips after Friday's practice.

Download joker_phillips_2007_08_24.wav

How much can the UK defense improve?

The hope is that with its returning talent and the new direction provided by coordinator Steve Brown, the UK defense will improve this season. Coach Rich Brooks said on media day that if UK could improve by 30 or 40 percent, the defense would not have to force the 32 turnovers it produced last year to get off the field.

Last year, UK allowed 453.4 yards per game, second highest total since UK began keeping such stats in 1946. The most was 475.4 per game by the 2001 defense.

But what is a realistic improvement for the UK defense, in terms of total yards allowed?

Here are UK's five best improvements from one year to the next in yards allowed over the last 20 years:

• Year     Yds allowed   Coordinator     Previous   Coordinator     Change   
  

• 1995        354.3         Mike Archer      450.1       Mike Archer      -21.28%

• 2002        401.2         John Goodner    475.4      John Goodner    -15.61%

• 1987        301.3         Terry Strock      355.9      Terry Strock      -15.34%

• 1992        381.8         Larry New          438.2      Larry New        -13.07%

• 1993        345.1         Mike Archer       381.8      Larry New          -9.61%

Average change over the past 20 years: +4.87 yards.

Number of years yards allowed declined from year before: 9

Average percentage change when yards declined: -9.4%

If UK improved by 9.4 percent over last year, the Cats would allow 412.6 yards. That would still rank last in the SEC.

Billy Clyde, talk of the town

With big-city aspirations, Lexington is still more of a small town, a college town. As with many college towns, sports are king and coaches are celebrity. In Tuscaloosa, it's the Alabama football coach. Read Rick Bragg's literary tome on Nick Saban in the current Sports Illustrated. In Lexington, it's the Kentucky basketball coach. Read Jerry Tipton's story today in the Herald-Leader on how new UK leader Billy Gillispie is adjusting to the microscope.

Gillispie's case comes with a couple of unique characteristics. One in particular. He's single. A main reason ex-Seton Hall coach and certified bachelor P.J. Carlesimo supposedly turned down the UK job in 1989 was he didn't want the locals gossiping about his social life. The early interest in all things Billy Clyde confirms P.J.'s fears. Everywhere I go, people want scuttlebutt about the new coach, from what restaurants he frequents (Sal's, Merrick Inn and Murray's are all high the list), to which crowd he hangs out with, to the possible reasons behind his purchase of a 12,000-square foot, $1.45 million house in Jessamine County.

There's another dynamic at play, too. Gillispie has a history. There's no getting around it. A couple of DUIs -- "mistakes" he called them on the day he was hired -- charges that were ultimately dismissed are in his past. After what happened here nearly 20 years ago with Eddie Sutton, little wonder the locals are nosy about the new coach's activities. Comes with the territory. Nothing but time, and victories, will change that.