Derek Abney

LEXINGTON -- Confidence is something the Kentucky defense lacked when the season started. Not only were the Cats missing seven starters off last year's team, including NFL first-round draft pick Dewayne Robertson, but they also had to adjust to new defensive coordinator Mike Archer and his 3-4 alignment. But going into Saturday's game against Mississippi State here, the young UK defense seems to be full of confidence. "I think our defense is gaining more confidence every game," said coach Rich Brooks.

LEXINGTON - Tommy Cook could have gloated. He could have said he would have been making big plays all year if only he had been given the opportunity. Instead, the Kentucky junior receiver insisted he had no bitter feelings about what happened the first six games and was only happy that he contributed to UK's 35-14 win over Ohio University Saturday. Cook made his first start of the season and had a 42-yard touchdown reception plus an 8-yard catch. He also played far more than he had in any game.

LEXINGTON - The script had a lot of different, perhaps even unexpected, twists for Kentucky, but the ending was exactly what the Wildcats needed. Kentucky overcame two early fumbles by quarterback Jared Lorenzen thanks to the relief work of backup quarterback Shane Boyd to beat Ohio University 35-14 here Saturday night. Boyd ran for two scores, threw a touchdown pass on a trick play and turned a screen pass from Lorenzen into a 31-yard scoring reception in a game that Kentucky (3-4)

LEXINGTON - Kentucky offensive coordinator Ron Hudson wishes the Wildcats could score on every possession. He would like for Jared Lorenzen to be able to throw long touchdown passes to Derek Abney or other receivers. He would love to see one running back establish himself as the next Artose Pinner. However, Hudson also has to remain realistic about Kentucky's offense. The Cats will reach the season's halfway mark Thursday when they play at South Carolina. While the Kentucky defense has perhaps played better than expected, especially the last three games, the offense has not matched last year's numbers when it averaged 32 points and 347 yards per game.

LEXINGTON - Reviewing tape of his team's 24-21 loss Saturday to Florida didn't do anything to soothe the pain Kentucky coach Rich Brooks felt. "I don't think it's easy to swallow at all," said Brooks Sunday. "The more you look at it on tape, the worse it is. There were opportunities to make plays long before Jared's interception that would have put us in total control of the game. " Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen tried to throw a pass as he was being sacked that was picked off and returned 35 yards to the UK one-yard line that set up the winning score late in the fourth period.

It would be easy to blame one ill-advised pass by Jared Lorenzen for enabling Florida to pull out a dramatic 24-21 win over Kentucky Saturday. However, blaming Lorenzen's interception for the loss would be as wrong as thinking Kentucky is cursed when it comes to football. The Cats had a 21-16 lead when Lorenzen was about to be sacked late in the game. Instead of taking the loss, Lorenzen tried to scramble away and throw a pass to Derek Abney. It's something he's done successfully numerous times during his UK career.

LEXINGTON - Florida has changed starting quarterbacks for its game against Kentucky here Saturday. Florida coach Ron Zook, though, is also hoping for a change in another area - special teams - when the 25th-ranked Gators try to beat Kentucky for the 17th straight time. Last season Derek Abney became only the seventh player in NCAA history to return both a punt and kickoff for a touchdown in the same game in UK's 41-34 loss. Kentucky's Dustin Williams also blocked a punt that led to another touchdown.

LEXINGTON - History apparently doesn't mean much to the University of Kentucky football team. The Wildcats have lost 16 straight games to Florida going into Saturday's Southeastern Conference matchup here. Kentucky's last win came in 1986, long before any of the current players on either team were probably even watching college football. Both teams will bring 2-2 records into the game, but the Gators are still a nine-point favorite. "We are still playing a quality opponent," said Kentucky coach Rich Brooks.

Editor's Note: Jeff Zurcher is a former starting safety for the Kentucky football team and played in the 1999 Outback Bowl. The Florida Gators lay heavy on the horizon. Again. Sixteen years Lexington has toiled in vain versus Gainesville. Sixteen years it has suffered, coming closest at 24-20 in 1993 and falling farthest away at 65-0 three seasons later. Sixteen consecutive losses to UF: the University of Kentucky Wildcats morph into mere kittens against the sunshine state reptilians.

LEXINGTON - Rich Brooks feels better about his University of Kentucky football team today than he did before the Wildcats played at Alabama Saturday night. However, the 27-17 loss at Alabama also verified one of Brooks' biggest worries. "I feel better about our ability to be competitive, play hard and get after people. We played like we care and played like we wanted it," said Brooks Sunday. "But the game signifies the difference between the speed level of our team and the upper echelon teams in our league.