John Clay's Sidelines

Notes from Joker Phillips’ weekly press luncheon:

- Raymond Sanders is still iffy with a high ankle sprain. Mister Cobble has a shoulder problem. Joe Mansour has an ankle problem.

- Phillips: “The second half of the season got a chance to get ourselves to 2-0 but there needs to be improvement.”

- On Martavius Neloms: “He is probably one of the middle of the field players we’ve had in a while. Get from sideline to sideline. He’s a really good ”

- Phillips said they are still trying to bring true freshman Ashley Lowry along and Glenn Faulkner along to give them opportunity to play alongside Neloms.

- On Mississippi State: “Mississippi State is gonna try and run the ball and run the ball at you. Run more downhill stuff, and that’s been our game. The thing we have had a struggle with is when people try to get out in space.”

- Phillips said he is excited about the future of his defensive line with the development of Mister Cobble and Donte Rumph. Mentioned Christian Coleman, as well. Said that Luke McDermott is more of a finesse player, so the addition of bigger bodies has helped.

- Collins Ukwu played six plays at defensive end on Saturday, after missing the last three games with a shoulder injury. Phillips said Ukwu will play more on Saturday.

- Said that Ryan Tydlacka is probably the MVP of the season so far, especially on offense.

- On the offense: “We’ve got to throw the football. It’s going to be hard to manage first downs, manage touchdowns just throwing the ball 16 times a game. We’ve got to be able to drop back and throw the ball. Our philosophy around here has been throw it to run it. Lately it’s been run it to throw it. I’d like to get back to throw it to run it, but we’ve got to be comfortable with it.”

- Said that UK needs to throw it 25-30 times a game in next two games to have a chance to win.

- Phillips again said that they would like to get wide receiver Brian Adams going.

- Said Newton still has to show improvement on intermediate passes. The coach mentioned a pass in first series to Matt Roark. “One of them was a missile right at Matt Roark’s head. I was ducking and I was on the sideline.”