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UK Football: Bad timing?

September 22, 2009|By Keith Taylor/Sun Sports Editor

Kentucky picked the wrong time to play Florida last season. A week after the Gators lost to Ole Miss in Gainesville, Florida rolled to a 63-5 win over the Wildcats.

Although the top-ranked Gators remained undefeated at 3-0 following a 23-13 win over Tennessee last week, Kentucky coach Rich Brooks expects the same reaction from Florida that dealt his team a beating last year.

"It seems like we always get them when they're mad," Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said during his weekly press conference Monday at Wildcat Den. "Last year we got them after they were beaten by Ole Miss. Now, they did not light up the scoreboard like they're accustomed to lighting it up, so I'm sure they're going to want to come in here and show everybody that their offense is still explosive. They are obviously a great football team."

In addition to posing a problem to Kentucky's defense, the Gators' defensive unit has been equally impressive this season. In the first three games, Florida has allowed just one touchdown. Brooks said the team's dangerous threat on both sides of the ball will be difficult to overcome.

"Defensively they have really no weakness," Brooks said. "They have given up one touchdown in three games. Offensively, they have a diverse attack that is difficult to defend. They spread the field, they run it. Their offensive line is not only big and physical, but athletic. And they have Tim Tebow.

"So having said all of that, we're doing everything we can to try to contain the Florida offense. We have to find a way to score in this game or obviously we don't have a chance. People have had a very difficult time doing that against Florida. Certainly this year their defense has been spectacular."

The Gators have won 22 in a row against Kentucky. The Cats' last win over Florida was a 10-3 win in 1986.

Brooks said the team can't afford a similar experience as last season.

"They're a team that once that truck starts rolling down the hill loaded with rocks, it can crush you," he said. "You need to hang around. You need to not get a lot of separation. Whatever that takes, we've got to do it."

Locke wins league award

Junior tailback Derrick Locke was named the Southeastern Conference Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday.

Locke returned four kickoffs for 191 yards, including a 100-yard jaunt for a touchdown, in Kentucky's 31-27 win over in-state rival Louisville. He became the first player in UK history, and the third in SEC history, to have two 100-yard touchdowns in his career. He also had a 100-yarder last season against Western Kentucky.

Locke's 191 kickoff return yards broke the team's single-game record of 185 set by Keenan Burton in 2006 against Louisville. Locke had 310 all-purpose yards in the game, including 47 receiving yards and 72 rushing yards and a score.

UK-Alabama game time announced

The Alabama-Kentucky game on Oct. 3 has been selected for live telecast by the SEC Network. Game time is set for 12:21 p.m.

The game will be televised by WKYT-Channel 27 in Lexington.

Injured list

Kyrus Lanxter, Antwane Glenn (flu), Jorge Gonzalez (strained MCL), Moncell Allen (quad bruise), DeQuin Evans (hip flexor).

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