John Clay's Sidelines

For the second straight week, the AJC’s Chip Towers sings the praises of Georgia running back Raymond Sanders, a Kentucky commitment, who had another sterling Friday night.

Reports Towers:

Raymond Sanders, a Kentucky commitment who wowed an ESPN national-television audience last week against MLK, had his most dominating performance to date. Stephenson’s senior running back piled up 232 yards rushing on just 17 carries, scored three touchdowns and added a 23-yard reception.

I’ll be live-blogging from the Rich Brooks press luncheon. I’ll try to get on about 12, though Rich usually doesn’t get to the podium before 12:10. I’m going to use the CIL version today, unless the wireless is weak. Join in.

(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Zagsblog reports that Doron Lamb enjoyed UK visit, but the prospect says he still has tough choice to make.
• Shira Springer of the Boston Globe reports on Antoine Walker’s financial troubles.
• Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Michal Gilchrist has taken a second unofficial visit to Villanova. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader reports that UK is banged up heading into Mississippi State game.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes about the injury list.
• T.J. Walker of the Kentucky Kernel reports on UK volleyball’s five-set win over No. 20 LSU.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Doron Lamb likes UK, but says he has tough choice’

(AP Photo/Dave Martin)

SEC links for Monday:

• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports that MSU coach Dan Mullen thinks replay official blew call.
• Don Kausler of the Birmingham News writes that Alabama gained a tough lesson with close win over Tennessee.
• Ray Melick of the News asks if Alabama is suddenly vulnerable.
• In the News-Sentinel, Tennessee’s Lane Kiffin claims Alabama should have been penalized on field goal block.
• John Adams of the News-Sentinel writes that Tennessee must run gauntlet for 8-4 season.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: League coaches complain about calls’

Update: There’s a Carson Palmer video after the jump.

Cincinnati running back Cedric Benson talks to the media about his career-high 189-yard effort in the Bengals’ 45-10 blasting of the Chicago Bears at Paul Brown Stadium.

Continue reading ‘Video: Cedric Benson talks about big day against Bears’

I’m at Paul Brown Stadium for Bengals-Bears:

• Bengals whip Bears 45-10.

• Benson finishes with 189 yards on 37 carries.

• Bengals will improve to 5-2 heading into bye week.

• Benson returned for an 8-yard run.

• Benson leaves in fourth quarter with career-high 172 yards on 31 carries.

• Palmer takes a seat after three quarters. His pass rating is 146.7.

• Bears finally find the end zone, going 60 yards in eight plays for a touchdown. Cutler hit Hester from 5 yards out with 11:48 left. Cincinnati lead now 45-10. Cutler is 26 of 36 for 248 yards, but has thrown three picks.

• Seven possessions, Bengals have six touchdowns and a field goal.

Continue reading ‘Liveblog: Bengals-Bears’

(H-L photo/Pablo Alcala)

Big Blue Links for Sunday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that Kentucky’s fast start helped put away ULM 36-13.
• Chip has the report on Micah Johnson’s strained MCL.
• Mark Story of the Herald-Leader writes that UK quarterback plan is working, but needs work.
• My column saying that UK is starting to show a little wear and tear.
• Herald-Leader slide show from the UK-ULM game.
• Jerry Tipton writes that John Calipari and fans look beyond vacated games.
• Andy Mead of the Herald-Leader writes about the possible Wildcat Coal Lodge.
• Eric Crawford of the Courier-Journal writes that Randall Cobb is Mr. Do-It-All for the Cats.
• Brett Dawson of the C-J writes that UK was good early, good enough late.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger reports that Joker Phillips was not happy with UK’s play.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Cats, Cobb, coal and a cadre of other links’

(AP Photo/The Birmingham News, Mark Almond)

SEC links for Sunday:

Alabama 12, Tennessee 10

• Pat Forde of espn.com reports on Alabama’s last-second save against Tennessee.
• Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register writes that Bama found relief in its win over the Vols.
• Mike Strange of the knoxville News-Sentinel reports that Tennessee took the kick in the gut.
• Don Kausler of the Birmingham News reports that Lane Kiffin played it straight, and smart.
• But Dave Hooker of the News-Sentinel reports that Kiffin took no time anguishing over late call.
• Ray Melick of the Birmingham News writes that Bama turns “Oh, no,” into “Oh, yes.”
• David Climer of the Tennessean writes that Bama blocked Tennessee’s upset bid.
• Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press writes that it was a bad day for Daniel Lincoln.
• Mark Weidmer of the Times Free Press writes that this was Tide-Vols people will long recall.
• Tommy Deas of the Tuscaloosa News writes on the Bama blocks that saved the game.
• Writing for CBS Sportsline, Tony Barnhart says there is little better than survival.

Florida 29, Mississippi State 19

• Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun reports that Florida continued its escape-artist act.
• Pat Dooley of the Sun calls it an unsatisfying win.
• David Jones of Florida Today writes that the Gators survived on luck.
• Rick Cleveland of the Clarion-Ledger writes Florida pulled out in the end.
• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger writes that State’s bold move failed.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Bama blocks the Big Orange upset bid’

Kentucky offensive guard Christian Johnson talks about a variety of subjects, including John Conner, line play and the injury to his brother, Micah. (Micah has a sprained knee. UK says it will know more in the next 24-48 hours.)

UK defensive tackle Ricky Lumpkin says there was some good, but some bad in the way the defense played. The senior noted that the line got a good pash rush on ULM quarterback Cody Wells, but that the redshirt freshman still got the pass off, and completed 21 of 44 for 267 yards.