John Clay’s Sidelines

(H-L photo/Pablo Alcala)

Let’s break it down to three highlights from the Rich Brooks’ press conference today:

• 1. Derrick Locke is doubtful for Saturday’s game with Louisiana-Monroe because of a nagging knee problem. In fact, Brooks said the running back, coming off a 126-yard game, is probably out. Locke has a slight tear of the MCL that will take three or four days to “calm down” said Brooks. That means Alfonso Smith and Moncel Allen are likely to share the load. True freshman running back Donald Russell will also get some playing time.

• 2. Brooks said Morgan Newton will most likely make his second start. Brooks admitted that wasn’t fair to Will Fidler,  but the coach likes the idea of bringing in Fidler off the bench if things aren’t going well. That worked Saturday at Auburn, when Fidler, the junior, engineered those two fourth-quarter scoring drives.

• 3. Last Saturday’s game may have been one of the better ones in UK linebacker history. Micah Johnson was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week, thanks to his 14 tackles. But Danny Trevathan could have received the honor, as well. Trevathan was credited with 14 tackles, as well, by the Auburn stat crew. Trevathan has been leaving the field when UK goes to an extra defensive back, but the Cats played a more conventional defense Saturday, leaving Trevathan on the field.

Adreian Payne

Big Blue Links for Saturday:

• Columbus Post-Dispatch reports that top 2010 basketball prospect Adreain Payne, a 6-10 center/forward out of Dayton, will make a visit to Kentucky this weekend.
• The Herald-Leader’s Chip Cosby blogs that UK running back Moncel Allen has made his grades and will be eligible in the fall.
• On his twitter page, John Calipari reports he auctioned off two tickets to UK-U of L for $50,000 at Dick Vitale gala.
• Scout.com makes UK’s basketball recruiting class No. 1.
• Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun reports on Kentucky baseball’s win over Florida.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes on the way Calipari is promoting the program.
• George Robinson of the Leaf Chronicle writes that Calipari will have a hard time selling big program on idea of playing Kentucky in Nashville.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Top 2010 prospect on UK campus this weekend’

Did you know Kentucky was the only team in the SEC that did not have at least one rusher gain at least 100 yards in any of its games this season?

It’s true.

UK had six individual 100-yard rushing games a year ago, all by Rafael Little.

This year, Derrick Locke came the closest when the sophomore rushed for 96 yards on just six carries against FCS team Norfolk State back on Week 2 of the season. That was before Locke was lost for the season with a knee injury.

If you want to stick to FBS opponents, Randall Cobb rushed for 82 yards on 18 carries in the 42-38 loss to Georgia.

Here’s the chart of the Cats’ top 10 rushing performances this season: