John Clay’s Sidelines

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’

UK junior quarterback Will Fidler talks here about the highs and lows of his play in the Cats victory. Fidler completed 8 of 13 passes for 82 yards, and threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to John Conner. But he also tossed an interception and lost the ball on the fumble. Asked if it was hard to get a rhythm with the quarterback rotation, Fidler said it sure beat not playing.

Kyrie Irving

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Zagsblog reports that Kyrie Irving has committed to Duke, with an announcement to be made this week.
• Irving says via Twitter he has not committed, however.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes on UK quarterback Will Fidler.
• My notes column, leading with Rich Brooks being honest about being dishonest with the media.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal also writes on how Will Fidler supported Morgan Newton.
• James Pennington of the Kentucky Kernel writes that other UK teams can learn from win at Auburn.
• Tom Leach talks to espn.com basketball writer Dana O’Neil.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes on DeMarcus Cousins.
• A Sea of Blue says SEC officiating stinks.
• Mr. SEC compares UK’s football commitments with rest of the league. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Football Blog.)
• Wildcat-Den writes on UK freshman Jon Hood.
• Wildcat Blue Bog looks at Doron Lamb and Terrence Jones.

Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said today that Morgan Newton is “the likely” starter for Saturday’s game against Louisiana-Monroe. The coach said he likes the idea of starting the younger quarterback, and if things aren’t going well, bringing in the older hand. Do you agree? Which quarterback would you start Saturday?

(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.

Back from UK football practice where head coach Rich Brooks said that he will not make an announcement on a starting quarterback before game-time Saturday at Auburn.

The coach said the quarterbacks have done some good things this week, and some not-so-good things. Of course, the consensus seems to be that true freshman Morgan Newton will not only see his first collegiate action, but also his first collegiate start. And Brooks has dropped a few hints this week to make you think that is exactly how the Cats will proceed. But we won’t know for sure until 7:30 Saturday night at the lovely little village on the plains. Brooks did say that it was likely we will see both quarterbacks, Newton and junior Will Fidler.

Meanwhile, Brooks did say that cornerback Paul Warford may be able to go Saturday. Warford will also be a game-time decison. And another Warford, Larry, a true freshman, will probably see some time on the offensive line as a backup now that Jake Lanefski is out for the year with his ACL injury.

Morgan Newton

Update: H-L’s Chip Cosby is on WKYT on-line with ex-UK defensive back Leonard Burress. And Morgan Newton’s father is scheduled to be on at 9:40 a.m.

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that coaches are mum on whether it will be Morgan Newton or Will Fidler at quarterback for UK on Saturday.
• I was on WVLK-590 in Lexington with Larry Glover last night, and caller swore that he knew for 100 percent fact that players have already been told that Newton is the guy. I should point out that it’s in the first 10 minutes or so of the podcast, I think.
• Ryan Alessi of the Herald-Leader reports on the $3 million Billy Gillispie agreement with UK.
• Both sides agree not to speak ill of the other.
• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader writes on DeAndre Liggins.
• Doron Lamb tells Zagsblog he will visit either UK or UConn on Oct. 23, but says UK, Oklahoma and Kansas are his top three.
• The H-L’s Jennifer Smith writes on Rebecca Gray’s second chance with UK hoops’ team.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal reports that Jake Lanefski could miss Auburn game.
• Mary Jo Perino of WLEX reports that Joker Phillips thinks the Cats are no joke.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Could Morgan Newton be the guy? UK isn’t saying’

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Tim Stevens of the Raleigh News & Observer reports that C.J. Leslie will be at UK’s Big Blue Madness. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)
• The Shiver reports that Josh Selby will attend Kansas’ Midnight Madness. (Hat tip to Bluegrass State Basketball.)
• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel talks to UK and UT target Tobias Harris.
• Inside the Hall also has a Josh Selby update.
• Tickets are on sale today for UK-UConn in New York.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader reports on extent of Mike Hartline’s injury.
• Mark Story of the H-L wants Will Fidler now and Morgan Newton later.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Updates on C.J. Leslie, Josh Selby, Tobias Harris’

As of 2 p.m., true freshman Morgan Newton as starting quarterback was leading my Twitter poll on what the UK staff should do at quarterback.

The results so far:

You can still vote:

(H-L photo/Charles Bertram)

Click here for the full audio (18:36) from Rich Brooks’ Sunday teleconference, and below are three highlights:

• The Kentucky head coach said that Mike Hartline has had an MRI on his injured left knee, and they do believe he has a torn MCL. At least. But the full diagnosis will not come until it is read by the radiologist and by doctors on Monday. As for the Louisville report that Hartline is out for the year, Brooks said that was “a possibility,” but there would be no way of knowing the full extent of the injury until Monday.

• Brooks said that Will Fidler and freshman Morgan Newton will be worked at practice, and that it was “likely” that the redshirt would be removed from Newton. The big factor will be how much Newton’s decision-making improves in practice. That’s what is holding him back at this point.

• Did you notice that Eric Norwood was nearly a non-factor in Saturday’s game? The terrific South Carolina did lead the Gamecocks in tackles with eight, but it was a quiet eight. He had no sacks, no tackles for loss. And no turnovers. Remember, he returned two fumbles for scores two years ago to beat the Cats. Brooks speaks to that, as well, on the audio.