Bill Ransdell vs. Florida in 1986. (H-L photo/Tom Woods II)
Big Blue Links for Thursday:
- Former Kentucky quarterback Bill Ransdell talks to Gainesville Sun columnist Pat Dooley about the last time Kentucky beat the Gators. The year was 1986, by the way. And the two teams have played every year since.
- Kansas and Bill Self beat out the competitors, including Kentucky, and keep Perry Ellis at home, reports Paul Sullentrop of the Wichita Eagle. Ellis is ranked as the 24th best basketball prospect for 2012 by Rivals.
- Everyone, including Joker Phillips, says that Florida’s punt block tactic is a legal play, reports Chris Low of espn.com. SEC director of officials Steve Shaw says it does not qualify as an illegal “pull-and-shoot.” (I’m not buying it.)
- Michael Grant of the Courier-Journal also writes on Florida’s punt-block skills.
- Bad blood appears to be left from the days Kentucky defensive coordinator Rick Minter and Florida offensive coordinator Charlie Weis worked together at Notre Dame. Minter doesn’t want to talk about it, says my Thursday column.
- Weis wants the Gators to start finishing drives, reports Tom Green for the Orlando Sentinel. The Gators have scored nine touchdowns in 16 trips inside the red zone.
- After scoring six touchdowns in Florida’s win over Kentucky last year in Gainesville, the now-sophomore won’t take the Cats by surprise on Saturday, writes Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader.
- Ethan Levine of the Kentucky Kernel also writes about Trey Burton Round 2.
- Remember Pittsburgh coach Michael Haywood? Or Haywood would have been Pitt’s coach in the BBVA Compass Bowl against UK last year, but was fired after a domestic assault arrest. Haywood still wants his Pitt money, reports Dr. Saturday.
