John Clay's Sidelines

Kentucky coach Joker Phillips talks to the media after today’s practice.

(H-L photo/David Perry)

Kentucky’s last trip to Gainesville was a definite disaster. Florida won 63-5. In truth, the game was over in the first five minutes. Kentucky’s start was horrendous. It’s something the Cats can’t afford to suffer through again to have a Saturday shot at upsetting the mighty Gators.

Take a deep breath and re-live the past, because those who forget are destined to repeat:

Kentucky’s first offensive possession ends three plays and punt at its own 26. Only Florida blocks the punt. The Gators recover at the UK 3-yard line. Next play, Tim Tebow scores on a keeper for a 7-0 Florida lead.

Kentucky’s second offensive possession ends when on third-and-one from the 28, Mike Hartline throws incomplete to tight end T.C. Drake. Masthay comes on for his second punt. Just as the first, Florida blocks UK’s second punt. The Gators recover at the 1. Brandon James scores from there. The two Florida touchdowns are 99 seconds apart. Gators take a 14-0 lead with 9:22 left in the first quarter.

Continue reading ‘Re-visiting “The Swamp” disaster of 2008′

Mark Schlereth

The U has the telecast of Saturday’s Kentucky-Florida matchup, 7 p.m. in The Swamp.

In this case, The U is not the University of Miami, but ESPNU, of course.

Elizabeth Moreau

Often that means viewers are stuck with some no-name announcing team. Not this time. Clay Matvick handles play-by-play duties. Elizabeth Moreau is on the sidelines. And adding color commentary, as well as a little star power, is Mark Schlereth, the ex-NFL lineman, soap opera star and frequent guest on ESPN radio’s “Mike and Mike,” where he is known as “Stink.”

Meanwhile, Moreau played volleyball at Butler, then worked for the Big Ten Network.

Here’s a video resume of Moreau’s work.

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Bryant Gumbel takes a shot at Urban Meyer, reports the Orlando Sentinel.
• There have been some close calls in Florida’s 23-game win streak over Kentucky, writes Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun.
• Florida is worrying about a slow start vs. Kentucky, writes David Jones of Florida Today.
• Florida not getting points from its long drives, reports Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald.
• A win Saturday would make Urban Meyer the sixth-fastest to 100 victories, blogs Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post.
• WKYT-TV on ex-UK basketball player Mark Krebs publishing his first book.
• Kentucky hasn’t committed a turnover. Florida has created 12 turnovers. Something has to give, writes Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader.
• My column on UK wide receivers coach Tee Martin, who faced a similar scenario to the one Florida quarterback John Brantley is facing.
• No pressure on Kentucky this week, writes Eric Crawford of the Courier-Journal.

Continue reading ‘BBL: A few close calls in Kentucky-Florida series’

SEC links for Wednesday:

• How many Heisman Trophy winners could come out of this Alabama-Arkansas showdown? asks Don Kausler, Jr. of the Birmingham News.
• Arkansas knows a tough test awaits in Crimson Tide, writes Chase Goodbread of the Tuscaloosa News.
• Harry King of the Arkansas News writes that Alabama has been great at stopping big plays.
• Arkansas is ready to make a stand, writes Chris Low of espn.com.
• Phil Fulmer would not be a good fit for Tennessee AD job, writes Mark Wiedmer of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
• South Carolina mourning the death of Kenny McKinley, reports Josh Kendall of The State.
• Gene Chizik wants tougher line play at Auburn, reports Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Arkansas ready to make a stand vs. Bama’

More of Joker Phillips talking to the media today after practice.

UK coach Joker Phillips as his team gets ready for Florida.

Florida defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. (AP photo)

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Mark Story of the Herald-Leader re-visits the Taylor Wyndham sack of Tim Tebow last year.
• Kentucky hopes to avoid early knockout at Florida, writes Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader.
• Midnight Madness tickets will be available Oct. 2, says H-L staff report.
• Florida treating Kentucky as dress rehearsal for Alabama, writes Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald.
• Kentucky wants to make a statement at Florida, writes Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal.
• Urban Meyer is challenging the Florida offense, reports Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun.
• Frankie Hammond a key receiver for the Gators, writes David Jones of Florida Today.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger says a bad start will crush the Cats at Gainesville.
• Kentucky ready for its first real challenge, writes Nick Craddock of the Kentucky Kernel.
• Keeping up with Florida’s speed a top priority for the Cats, writes Eric Lindsey of Cat Scratches.
• Bleed Blue Kentucky catches up with UK football target Collins Moore.