John Clay’s Sidelines

Post-game video interviews with Morgan Newton, Trevard Lindley and La’Rod King after Kentucky’s 37-12 win over Eastern Kentucky. Newton completed 20 of 29 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns. Lindley sat out the second half after having his ankle stepped on near the end of the first half. King caught four passes for 41 yards.

Continue reading ‘Video: Morgan Newton, Trevard Lindley and La’Rod King’

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’

A five-spot of thoughts from the UK football press conference, completed about an hour ago:

• 1. Randall Cobb is not going to be the quarterback. He’ll stay at wide receiver, except for possibly a slightly expanded “Wildcat” package. As I wrote this morning, I think that’s the right call. Playing Randall at quarterback is a prescription for punishment. And Cobb is not as viable a passer, and you have to be able to throw the football, at least a little, to stand a chance in the SEC.

• 2. Morgan Newton is a factor. Thinking about what Rich Brooks said, and his tone, I think we might see a lot of the heralded freshman over the next four weeks. And that could be a silver lining. The sooner the staff finds out what it has in Newton, probably the better.

Continue reading ‘A 5-spot from the UK football press conference’

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that UK is blowing its margin for errors.
• Ron Morris of The State writes that Cats mirror Gamecocks.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes on Derrick Locke.
• James Pennington of the Kentucky Kernel writes on bad column ideas.
• B.W. Jones of the Kentucky Kernel writes that UK’s rookie quarterbacks are biding their time.
• Bluegrass State Basketball thinks C.J. Leslie could commit to UK soon.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Rookie quarterbacks bide their time’

(AP Photo/James Crisp)

Three points from Rich Brooks press conference:

• 1. The Kentucky head coach won’t forget Friday’s 31-0 first-quarter deficit in quite awhile. He got upset again just talking about it. The problem is that it happened on the heels of the 28-0 first-quarter fiasco last year at Florida. So over two years, Kentucky has trailed the Gators 59-0 after one quarter. Brooks said he thought his program had moved past such embarrassments. It has not. Of course, Florida is the defending national champ and the top-ranked team in the country. But it was the stupid penalties and tentative play that stuck in Brooks’ craw, and for good reason. Having 48 hours to cool down did not appear to make the head coach any cooler.

• 2. Florida is very good. This week’s foe, Alabama, is very good. But Alabama presents a bit of a different problem. Florida was phyiscal. Alabama is even more physical. Nick Saban wants his teams to be tough, hard-nosed clubs that will smash you in the mouth. Yes, the Tide hit three big plays on Saturday. But it loves to grind it out on both sides of the ball. The one good thing about that is, as Brooks said, it’s a bit easier to prepare for a more conventional-style offense. And Kentucky did hang around with Bama last year. Still, the Crimson Tide has superior athletes.

• 3. Trevard Lindley vs. Julio Jones figures to be Saturday’s marquee matchup. Lindley is an All-American corner. Jones is an All-American receiver. Florida didn’t throw at Lindley the way Louisville challenged UK’s senior corner. But then Florida didn’t have to challenge anyone through the air. The Gators ran the ball so well, they didn’t need to go to the air all that much.

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Herald-Leader’s Valarie Honeycutt Spears reports that UK is paying $30,000, plus monthly fees, for John Calipari to join Lexington Country Club.
• Chip Cosby of the H-L reports that Kentucky must avoid early KO against Florida.
• H-L’s Mark Story on Kentucky’s uphill battle.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger reports that Stacey Poole could be a Cat soon.
• Chris Rodgers of Palmetto Sports reports that Poole will make decision very soon.
• Seth Emerson of The State reports that South Carolina knows it trails on Poole.
• Lawrence Journal-World reports that Adreian Payne will visit Kansas on Oct. 31.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Stacey Poole could make choice today’

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Mark Story of the Herald-Leader writes that Louisville fans are down, but not out.
• Chip Cosby of the H-L writes that less confusion means more production for UK offense.
• Jerry Tipton of the H-L blogs that UK was to meet with Doron Lamb.
• C.L. Brown of the Courier-Journal writes on the hometown antihero, U of L quarterback Justin Burke.
• Jody Demling of the C-J writes that it’s a big recruiting weekend for Kentucky.
• Brett Dawson of the C-J reports that UK cornerback Trevard Lindley is ready to take what’s thrown  his way.
• Dan Wiederer of the Fayetteville Observer believes Kyrie Irving could be headed to Duke.
• Tom Leach, voice of the Cats, talks to Paul Rogers, voice of the Cards.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that Randall Cobb is being compared to Derek Abney.
• Kenny Colston of the Kentucky Kernel writes that the rivalry has diminished because of Louisville’s slide.
• A Sea of Blue looks asks about he importance of this year’s UK-U of L game.
• Straitpinkie honors UK hockey’s calendar girls.

Trevard Lindley

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Herald-Leader columnist Mark Story writes that Rich Brooks is getting last laugh in UK-U of L rivalry.
• Chip Cosby of H-L reports that Trevard Lindley was named SEC’s defensive player of the week.
• C.L. Brown of the Courier-Journal writes that Louisville may offer some different looks against Kentucky.
• In the Oklahoman, Travis Ford says his favorite sports memory is UK’s Mardi Gras Miracle over LSU. (Hat tip Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)
• Metz Camfield of the Kentucky Kernel reports on UK volleyball winning its second tourney of the season.
• A Sea of Blue remembers Cawood Ledford.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Travis Ford’s favorite is Mardi Gras Miracle’