John Clay’s Sidelines

Was out of town most of the day, but was at football practice this morning where I shot this video of UK freshman quarterback Morgan Newton talking about what he’s been concentrating on this week, and about Saturday’s game with EKU.

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader writes that Clarion game brings back memories of John Calipari’s time there.
• Chip Cosby of the H-L writes about freshman quarterback Morgan Newton.
• The Easy Being Green blog reports on the Wildcat Coal Lodge banner protest at UK.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes on UK freshman receiver La’Rod King.
• Matt May of the Cats Pause reports that Trevard Lindley and Mike Hartline are making progress.
• Marlen Garcia of USA Today writes on the red-hot UK-U of L basketball rivalry.
• Brian Rosenthal of Husker Extra reports that Billy Gillispie was at Nebraska to watch the Cornhuskers. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger reports that DeQuin Evans thinks Cats backed down.
• Kevin Patton of the Henderson Gleaner writes that Newton’s progress comes at Will Fidler’s expense. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Football Blog.)
• Metz Camfield of the Kentucky Kernel writes on John Wall and high expectations.
• T.J. Walker of the Kernel writes on volleyball’s Gretchen Giesler.

Continue reading ‘BBL: USA Today tackles UK-U of L, and other links’

Anthony Grant

SEC links for Thursday:

• Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register reports that crowd of 10,245 shows up for Anthony Grant’s first game at Alabama.
• Mark Bradley of the AJC writes that Georgia AD Damon Evans still made his point while backing Mark Richt.
• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate writes about the challenge facing LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson.
• Tommy Deas of the Tuscaloosa News writes that Alabama wants to improve its downfield passing game.
• Jeff Lockrige of the Tennessean reports that Vandy back Warren Norman is running for league’s top freshman.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Anthony Grant makes Alabama debut’

Wondering what ex-Southern Cal basketball coach Tim Floyd has been up to since the Trojans showed him the door for alleged recruiting violations? Apparently, he’s breaking up girl fights at casinos. Herm’s Perm has the details.

Here’s a look at what Eastern Kentucky has done statistically its first eight football games:

After Mississippi State hammered Kentucky’s run defense for 348 yards last Saturday, after Florida had ripped the Cats for 362 rushing yards earlier in the season, UK has dropped to 104th out of 120 FBS teams in rush defense.

The Cats are giving up 195.9 rushing yards per game. As a reference point, Georgia is currently 60th of the 120 teams in rush defense. And the Bulldogs are allowing 137.6 yards per game.

Here’s chart looking at how the UK run defense has done over the last 20 games, dating back to early last year.

(Click on the chart to enlarge.)

(H-L photos/David Stephenson and Charles Bertram)

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that player bouts with the flu is giving Rich Brooks a headache.
• Jerry Tipton of the H-L writes that in basketball a dribble-driver’s license doesn’t come easy.
• My column saying that some UK fans need a reality check.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes about the UK football flu outbreak.
• Chris Low of ESPN has Kentucky headed to the Papajohns.com Bowl.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that Kentucky must focus on EKU.

Continue reading ‘BBL: The flu, the fans, the recruits, and other links’

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel thinks Brandon Spikes is a YouTube victim.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that Les Miles has passed Nick Saban at LSU.
• Jeff Schultz of the AJC thinks the Georgia football program is on autopilot.
• Mark Wiedmer of the Chattanooga Times Free Press wonders if Georgia is in desperation mode.
• Auburn’s Zac Etheridge talks about the injury he suffered in Auburn’s 33-20 win over Ole Miss.

Auburn safety Zac Etheridge

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Is Brandon Spikes a YouTube victim?’

Here’s Rajon Rondo hitting a behind-the-backboard shot during Boston’s 105-74 rout of the 76ers last night in Philadelphia.