I’ll be liveblogging old-school from the Rich Brooks press luncheon. The Kentucky football coach should be at the podium around 12:10-12:15.
- That’s the end of the press conference.
- On Newton again, “He did some good things. He got a little anxious. We did run the sweep with him, and if anybody does remember, he did score a touchdown.”
- Said the defense didn’t do a good job in their “fits.” Said it was “a calamity of errors, if you will.”
- “Nobody wants to hear it, but I would love to have played every game with the players we started the year with.”
- On linebackers, “We left a hole open nearly every time they ran it.”
- Mike Hartline did run Sunday, and had no swelling, “but there was pain. We need to get the quad stronger. . . If he can handle the pain will determine whether he can play.”
- Says Trevard Lindley worked out yesterday, and will try to work out Tuesday. “There is no swelling in the (ankle) after running yesterday,” said Brooks. “He’s getting really close.”
- Says Eastern’s quarterback, “has a good arm. He’s a taller, lankier guy who runs the ball well. We’re going to see portions of the same offense we’ve seen the last three games. They spread you wider and rely a little more on the throwing game.”
- Says La’Rod King should get some more reps in practice over guys who have been getting reps.
- On Newton, “I like the way he found a way to complete some really clutch throws. . . . Early on in the game he made some checks at the lind of scrimmage and got us into some running plays. . . . But he’s still not doing it every play. That’s what experience does for you, to understand better and do it better the next time.”
- Says they don’t have as many vocal leaders on this team, more leaders by example.
- Told team, “I’m doing everything I can to point out things that are extremely important, but I need some help. I need some help from members on the team.”
- Brooks jokes, “I know the social life is a lot better than when I was in school.”
- “It’s difficult with young people who have a lot more going on in their life than football. I have no life right now other than football. . . . It’s my job to get them focused, and I’ve got to do a better job.”
- Is it different in the pros? He mentions the Denver Broncos being undefeated and getting crushed by Baltimore yesterday. “Maybe they were reading too much,” said Brooks.
- “You’ve heard me make this conversation too many times, at least once a year. We were not as ready to play as we need to be.”
- Now asked about what the players hear in the media, from fans, etc. “Obviously my conversation (with them) doesn’t mean as much as they hear and read. . . . No one lives in a cocoon anymore, and the players certainly don’t.”
- “When you’re playing a underdog, the worst thing you can do is to give them the ball. . . . The turnover situation is always a concern. You look at us and we’re -2 on the year. You take a couple of more takeaways in the South Carolina, or any takeaways (at Miss State) then our record is different. If we don’t turn it over as many times, our record is probably different.”
- Asked about Morgan Newton winning the trust of his veteran teammates: “I think he’s done a pretty good job. Yes, he’s made some rookie mistakes, but the veterans have made mistakes.”
- “A week ago I heard a lot of people say we could win out. Now I know some people don’t think we’re going to win another game.”
- Brooks says to have a successful season, “We have to be in post-season play,” but that in his mind a successful season would have been climbing the ladder in the SEC.
- Asked about Cobb’s health? “At this time of the season he’s not moving real well right now.” Says Cobb has a lot of body parts that are aching, as do most football players this time around. Says Cobb’s return work against MSU was “outstanding. Unfortunately we didn’t get enough points out of those opportunities.”
- Brooks says Eastern Kentucky is about three plays away from being undefeated.
- Rich Brooks now at podium. He says Derrick Locke is still questionable to doubtful. Christian Johnson has the flu. John Conner is limited with a shin problem. Micah Johnson is still limited. Morgan Newton (shoulder) will have his throwing limited, but will practice. Randall Cobb will not have contact in practice this week.
- Dick Gabriel says the UK-Vandy game will be a 12:21 start on Nov. 14.
- I’m here at Wildcat Den, where they are getting ready for the player interviews.
