Keenan Burton

NASHVILLE - Give this Kentucky football team credit for not being afraid of adversity.Maybe it started two years ago when the team's upperclassmen never lost their faith in coach Rich Brooks. Maybe it happened last year after UK lost 49-0 at LSU before coming back to win eight games, including the Music City Bowl. Whatever it is, this team knows how to face adversity - and persevere. Kentucky did that again here on Saturday when it overcame a rash of penalties and an inspired Vanderbilt team to rally for a 27-20 victory.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Give this Kentucky football team credit for not being afraid of adversity. Maybe it started two years ago when the team's upperclassmen never lost their faith in coach Rich Brooks. Maybe it happened last year after UK lost 49-0 at LSU before coming back to win eight games, including the Music City Bowl. Whatever it is, this team knows how to face adversity - and persevere. Kentucky did that again here on Saturday when it overcame a rash of penalties and an inspired Vanderbilt team to rally for a 27-20 victory.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Kentucky's kicking game has given coach Rich Brooks many troubling times this season. On Saturday, UK's kicking game may have given the Wildcats a victory. Kicker Lones Seiber hit field goals of 38 and 48 yards in the first half, Keenan Burton had a 61-yard kickoff return to set up the game-winning touchdown drive and Vanderbilt fumbled away a punt in UK's 27-20 victory here on Saturday. "Overall, I think our kicking game today made the difference," Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said.

LEXINGTON - The situation is not exactly the same as it was a year ago after Kentucky lost 49-0 at LSU and found its season in limbo. However, the Cats' 31-14 loss to Mississippi State two weeks ago has turned Saturday's game at Vanderbilt into a must-win scenario for UK. "I would definitely say that our backs are against the wall after losing a game like that (to Mississippi State). We knew how much game meant to the season, but now all we can do is try to finish 9-3," said Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson.

Kentucky is anxious to get back on the field. The Wildcats (6-3), who haven't played since a disappointing 31-14 loss to Mississippi State nearly two weeks ago, will take on Vanderbilt on Saturday in Nashville. Although Kentucky has already secured six wins and is bowl eligible, the team has lost two straight games and will be looking to get back on track against the Commodores. A win would increase the Cats' hopes for an SEC Championship, while a loss would eliminate coach Rich Brooks and his squad from consideration for a league title.

LEXINGTON - Just to make sure his players understand how important Saturday's game at Vanderbilt it, Kentucky coach Rich Brooks sent a subtle message to his players. "We have a schedule board that has all the games listed on it. Last week, all the names were off except Vanderbilt. That was to remind us to think about nothing except Vanderbilt," said UK senior defensive end Dominic Lewis. "That is the way we are going to approach rest of the season," Brooks said. That's because the No. 24 Cats know they must beat Vanderbilt (5-4, 2-4)

Since Kentucky is off this week, I thought we would keep the pigskin stove hot by observing the team's effort through the first nine games. Of course Andre Woodson hasn't been a disappointment at all. Neither has the offensive line. The defense has improved and the offense has scored at will and random for the most part. With the exception of a 14-point showing against Mississippi State last weekend, the offense has been solid and there's no reason why the same unit can't provide the same during the next three games.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky safety Marcus McClinton will miss the rest of the regular season with a fractured scapula, coach Rich Brooks said Tuesday. McClinton, a starter and one of the top playmakers in the Wildcats secondary, suffered the injury in a 31-14 loss to Mississippi State Saturday. Brooks said McClinton should be available to play in the team's postseason bowl game. "He made a tackle and got his shoulder knocked back and just fractured his scapula," Brooks said.

Editor's Note: Garrard County head football coach Steve Stonebraker writes a blog - Coach Stoney - for www.amnews.com. Coaches are often known for sometimes scrapping (verbally) with members of the media. In college and professional sports, coaches and the sportswriters that cover them often have a contentious relationship. I got to see how the other half lives when I was given the opportunity to go to the Kentucky/Florida football game with Advocate-Messenger sports editor Larry Vaught.

LEXINGTON - Keenan Burton, Kentucky's top receiver, was listed as "questionable" for Saturday's game by coach Rich Brooks because of a strained knee and lingering ankle problem. "We will have to see in next couple of days how he comes along," Brooks said. Burton leads UK with 44 catches for 544 yards and six scores, but in the last two games he has only seven catches for 46 yards. "Keenan is simply one of the best receivers I have ever coached. That doesn't mean he will catch X amount of balls every game," Brooks said.