The Big Blue Daily Mail -- Kentucky 1-0
by Glenn Logan on Sep 6, 2009 7:36 AM EDT
in Kentucky Wildcats News
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PrintThe Kentucky Wildcats got off to a great start yesterday, blanking the Miami (OH) Redhawks 42-0 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. A few points before we get to the news:
- Yes, I know it was Miami, and yes, I know they are not strong this year. But this version of Kentucky seems to pass the look test.
- The defense really played well from the second quarter on, and the offense did also. This is different. Usually, one squad plays well when the other plays bad, etc.
- Chris Matthews is going to be a stud at UK.
- Derrick Locke is a profile in courage and determination.
- What can anyone say about Randall Cobb that hasn't been said already?
- I really liked Hartline's poise and decision-making.
- I hope to see improvement from our defensive ends.
I am heading out to Las Vegas today for a short holiday, so I'll be blogging from Sin City for a few days. Now, for the news:
Top Stories
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Shades Of 2005 OU Drops Season Opener - Crimson And Cream Machine
With a 14-13 defeat at the hands of BYU Oklahoma lost more than just a season opener Saturday night. The Cougars, a team thought to be slower and athletically inferior, took Oklahoma’s manhood. Ouch. - Virginia Tech Postgame Thoughts - Roll 'Bama Roll
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Ohio State Struggles - Is it the End of the World? - The Rivalry, Esq.
Should Columbus be concerned? Yes. But this afternoon's performance isn't the end of the world. Here's a bullet point summary of what I saw from the South Stands. - Cats really do have playmakers
UK Basketball News
- Danny Jett's Inner Circle: The Immortals: UK's 25 'Legends' #7
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Rivals.com College Basketball - Which coach wuld be the best to play for?
I'm a bit surprised King would pick Coach Cal.
UK Football News
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Locke ecstatic to be back on the field for UK
"I felt good. I felt blessed," Locke said. "They told me I probably would never play again. To cross the end zone and be out there with my boys playing, it's really touching."
Wow. I knew his injury was serious, but I didn't know it was that serious. I was afraid that Davis was out for the rest of the year. That injury really looked bad when it happened. I'm sorry to hear that he is out for the year, though, he played really well. -
State-Journal.com - UK quarterback Hartline lives up to preseason billing in season-opening rout
The difference in Kentucky from last year to this year is dramatic. Granted, Miami is not a good team at this point, but some bad teams made Kentucky sweat a year ago, so this victory shows a lot. Especially with Hartline, who lived up to Coach Rich Brooks’ lofty preseason billing. I'd agree with this assessment. -
RedHawks thumped by Wildcats
"Hartline played with poise, threw the ball well, didn’t have a lot of bad plays," Brooks said. - Kentucky-Miami (OH)-Postgame recap
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BOZICH: After 1st game, Wildcats are thinking 2-0
This was a good start. The confidence should begin to build. If we can just stay healthy.
Other UK Sports News
- None today
NCAA Sports News
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Oklahoma State defense stymies Georgia
Tough season opener for both teams. Props to Georgia for the tough OOC, but can they come back strong from this next week? -
Topics for Discussion // 09.06.09 - Team Speed Kills
A few questions about the weekend in SEC football. - A Nice Start: Arkansas 48, Missouri State 10 - Arkansas Expats
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Mississippi State Bulldogs v. Jackson State Tigers Post Game Recap - For Whom the Cowbell Tolls
The Dan Mullen Era at Mississippi State got started with a bang as the Bulldogs captured their first win of the 2009 season over the Jackson State Tigers. -
Paulus'd: Syracuse Loses A Heartbreaker To Minnesota 23-20 In Overtime - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Syracuse loses a tough one. Greg Paulus shows promise but makes a bad decision when it matters most. -
Tennessee Volunteers v. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers: immediate post-game ramblings - Rocky Top Talk
An instant, timed, and unedited reaction to the Tennessee Volunteers' 63-7 victory Saturday over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. - SEC helmet stickers: Week 1 - College Football Nation - ESPN
- CardinalSports.com - Cards win 30-10 over Indiana State
Other News of Interest
The Daily Schadenfreude
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Eric Crawford: Cards need to do better than this – and fast | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal
On the first Saturday of the season, the Cardinals did not play well enough to beat anybody else they will face this season. Ouch.
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Comments
Gotta feel for Bradford
Could have taken his Heisman and gone first round in the NFL, but chose to come back to OU – a decision virtually all fans roundly applauded. Hope it all turns out well for him, but seeing it happen, I don’t see how anyone could ever criticize a talented kid for leaving school early to pursue the fame and fortune of the pros.
Remember who we played
Seems the Cats got the ball rolling yesterday.
Let’s all remember this win was over the team picked to finish last in the MAC.
They did show some improvement in a lot of areas. Hartline and the recievers much better. He had a lot of time to throw and they were open. Read second sentence again at this time.
Miami is going to struggle this year.
What I thought we learned was we have more speed than last year. The offensive line needs improvement still. Cobb is going to be good, Locke ran hard. A shut out.
Read sentence two again.
I agree w/ you about Miami being an extreme lightweight.
But, the “look test” as Tru referred to it – however flawed – was passed yesterday.
by mrmondaynite on Sep 6, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
You have to admit they looked good.
Esp. Cobb, Lindley, Matthews, and Locke.
by mrmondaynite on Sep 6, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
I find it hard to believe that they'll be worse than Middle Tennessee State
From last year… and we needed a miracle shoestring tackle to beat them.
The team is better than last year. We know that because even when we were playing sub-par competition, we couldn’t complete passes or run the ball. We at least know that we are somewhat functional on offense this year.
How much better won’t be determined until we play the middle of the pack SEC teams like Auburn and USCe in a few weeks.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
that's what i am trying to convince myself of...
that Miami = MTSU so that we are substantially better this year.
agree we have to wait to see how we do against usc and auburn
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Sep 7, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
I reread sentence two
They were on the schedule, we have to play them. We beat them 42-0 and Brooks passed a gimme TD towards the end, let the foot off the gas and rotated a ton of 2nd and 3rd stringers through the end of game. In your opinion, just what margin would have proved we were good?
I'm not rah, rah over beating some one Eastern should have been playing
We had to play them? Had too? I guess there was no one a little better that would have played us. That’s the way it is when your respected as we are.
I’m not going to get into the ranking of the teams we buy to play. You can look it up for yourself.
We definitely were the better team. We should have been. It was the perfect game to play.
What did we learn from the game? We’ve got better recievers then they have defensive backs. We didn’t exactly set the world on fire in the first quarter but 35 points in the second guarter left any down that a bowl team three years running is better than the last placed team in the MAC. Did we look good. Yes. Tennessee looked good against Western too. Florida against Charleston Southern didn’t look bad either. Only two teams in the conference played anyone but 11 of us are tied for first place in our respective divisions.
I don’t think we should go ga-ga over beating someone Western Kentucky should have opened with. Yes, we beat them and probably could have beat them worse. What would that have proved? In two weeks we are going to play another team we should beat almost as bad. These games are silly to get excited about. The ones that count are the ones in the conference. If we have beaten someone in the conference I would have been impressed big time.
Not someone who is ranked 106 in poll and 126 in another. If that gets you excited then you should have a wonderful season.
Sorry, I saw the same thing early in the season last year.
per my previous posts,
i am more in your corner than not.
however, i would have to say that we looked more “impressive” beating miami than any of the cupcakes last year.
that being said, i would agree with you that we looked pretty good against UL in our opener last year, but then sputtered a bit.
More important than anything will be staying healthy….
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Sep 7, 2009 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions
If these games are "silly to get excited about"
then don’t get excited about Rider, Sam Houston State, Long Beach State and Harford when basketball season starts. I’m going to get excited about any game UK is playing, football or basketball. No matter who the opponent is you’re always playing against perception and the only way to beat perception is to outperform your critics. On that front, I think the football team performed admirably and knocked the hell out of the spread (UK -15).
Sorry, I saw the same thing early in the season last year
I couldn’t disagree more. We couldnt’ move the ball to save our lives last year even against the moribund teams on our early schedule. This year, we at least were able to move up and down the field.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
So you only like the games when we play a big time opponent?
Must not enjoy any season very much…basketball or football. If you cant be a fan during the cupcakes how can you be a fan during the big games.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
Did I say something wrong?
That is just exactly the way I felt about Paris’ comment. I mean why can’t he be happy about a UK football win and a shutout? Oh well, I know this Paris Guy from other websites.
kat. you know I'm not going to get rah rah over this win.
kykat, nice to be recognized. You know I want a respected program. One that wins against better teams. Sorry but I’m that excited about beating the team ranked 126th today. One ahead of Western.
I think last year was a wonderful example of Barnhart’s and Brooks’ scheduling. Wasn’t everyone excited with the four and oh start? Brooks was ranting about ‘no respect’, They we had to play the conference games. We won two more and the above mentioned duo was ‘tickled to death’ as they left the field at Tennessee after losing. But we made it to a bowl, along with 63 other teams. Finishing last in the division didn’t damper their spirits. Not beating a team with a winning record in the regular season didn’t either.
Yes we should be happy with a win and a shut out. But I don’t think its time to announce we are ready to contend for the conference championship just yet. We won a ball game over a team we should have. That’s all. So did eleven other teams in the conference. until we see something worth raving about, maybe we should accept it was a just win.
A quality win?
I’ll reserve the donation on the Brooks statue until later in the season.
I want a winner too. But I don’t believe in bragging about being 15 and oh against no conference teams. That would cause someone to look at the teams we play non conference.
When they prove they want to be a competitor in the conference and they may be this year, I’ll get excited.
I am not sure what generation
You had in UK football, but Brooks and staff have done an amazing job building this team and I have to give them credit whether you think so or not. I loved seeing the improved offense and our defense. If you can’t get excited about UK then I feel sorry for you. Evidently you are an old UK booster living in the past of many years ago. This is now and the SEC is a powerhouse and the East for UK football is the most difficult of all conferences. Can you agree with that? Anyway, I will root for my UK football team and Brooks and staff no matter how many sarcastic comments you may make. Now go have a nice night with your wife :-)
kat
Yes the SEC East is tough. But we have the misfortune of being there. I guess I’ll have to agree with you, we are what we are and there is really no reason to want to get better. Why would we want any thing else?
Get Better?
Have you not listened to Coach Brooks and the players recently? Their goal is to get better every year and especially this year. Stay on top of the news and vids that are everywhere on the Internet.
Some prespective
Point galore for everyone.
Everyone but South Caroliina and Georgia scored a bundle this weekend.
They both played Division One BCS schools so we can forgive them
Georgiia suffered the only loss. But to the # 9 team on its home field.
Just how many did each score?
Kentucky 42
LSU 31
Alabama 34 against the # 7 team Virginia Tech
Vandy 45
Auburn 37
Arkansas 48
Florida 62
Tennessee 63
Mississippi State 45
Georgia 10 against # 9 team Oklahoma State
Ole Miss plays today.
If Bama's QB hold sup throughout the season lookout.....
They looked like the most physical football team I have seen in awhile. They harassed the hell out of Tyrod Taylor, stifled the run game and held Va Tech to less than 100 yards passing and 155 yards in total.
On offense they pounded the Hokies. The comidnation of Ingram and Upchurch in the backfield is dangerous. Almost all of Va Tech’s points came off of special teams and/or Bama miscues. This score could have been much uglier if Bama had not made so many mistakes.
In my opinion, their BCS hopes hinge squarely on the shoulders of their QB McElroy.
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
Two weeks til next game?
That’s waaaayy too long to wait. Address a couple areas of concern (ie. pass protection, DEs) and bring on the Cards. Hopefully, Chirop and others had successful cookouts – couldn’t ask for much more. (BTW – Chirop, we threw 31 passes ;-) )
I don't think so
We (UL) needs all the practice we can get! It is not going to be a pretty game for me to watch but for you it probably will be
UL Football Fan/UK Basketball Fan ~ Okinawa, Japan
by The White Mandingo on Sep 7, 2009 1:56 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree
UK’s speed will be way too much for UofL to handle this year…
Plus, new QB, coach in turmoil… All points to a big UK victory…
Even last years game is on UK’s mind as a let down… The Defense is still pissed at the offense for giving up that safety and spoiling a shut out…
very early prediction…..
UK-31
UL-13
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
Wow!?
So then, I gotta ask ya, which half of you is red and which half is blue? You are the albatross! In all my days I’ve never seen or heard of a B-ball UK fan and a F-ball UL fan! But hey, God works in mysterious ways. You might get completely saved before the rapture! Seriously, God bless you for your service, if your in the military.
When a great nation falls, it falls from within. There is only two ways to do this. One must "take" power by force, or when the other side simply "gives" it to them. me
by blubloodcatfan on Sep 7, 2009 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions
That's like a monkey with 5 asses
That just shouldn’t exist in nature! Weird.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
by chirop1 on Sep 8, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
First time I shot her, shot her in the side.
Hard to watch her suffer, but with the second shot she died...
4 is as good s it gets
First time I shot her, shot her in the side.
Hard to watch her suffer, but with the second shot she died...
Really!!!!!!
Could have done without that! How does the mind work where something like that even presents itself? Did you have to double click on that one? Maybe it’s a RHC? There are things that I push the reject button on, ya know!
When a great nation falls, it falls from within. There is only two ways to do this. One must "take" power by force, or when the other side simply "gives" it to them. me
by blubloodcatfan on Sep 9, 2009 7:53 AM EDT up reply actions
I saw that
Slowed down significantly in the latter part of the third quarter.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
Chris Matthews?
Isn’t he the host of Hardball? Just kidding. I am very excited about this guys potential. He creates matchup problems for the defensive backfield and will certainly warrant the attention of the defense which is good news for Cobb. Hopefully they keep it up.
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
Ole Miss looking pretty overrated right now.
Have had the ball for just 5 minutes out of the 25 played so far. 2 turnovers.
They've got themselves a fight
the “experts” had them favored by 18. they are going to struggle to beat that spread, Memphis has given them a good game. Nutt doesn’t do well in the spotlight – better in the underdog role.
Beat the spread
the spotlight stays on. it will be interesting to see how they respond as the competition gets tougher.
Wish I could argue with what Eric Crawford wrote about UofL, but you can’t argue with the truth.
by don'tshootmei'macard on Sep 6, 2009 6:57 PM EDT reply actions
Rebs Score 4 Times In 4th Q
Jevon Snead came alive as Ole Miss wins 45-14.
"[O]f those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing demagogues, and ending tyrants." --Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 1
I don't know the final score
But they beat the spread. They turned it on in the 4th quarter so I stopped watching.
Thanks Tru
For all the links on the game.
I missed the open thread because I was in Lebanon watching with my sisters and family. Good time by all and I spent the night as usual. Looks like you all had a great time on the open thread, but I had a chance to see it live and I had to take it.
Have a nice mini-vacation in LV. Sure your wife loves it!
You're welcome, of course.
Thanks, we are having lots of fun so far.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
All I've got to say
is that if Hartline doesn’t quit passsing the buck in the blame department I ain’t never gonna like him much. A true leader takes the blame, even if he isn’t wrong and knows it. He’ll say “we” when he ain’t even in the mess. Hartline keeps talking about the drops from last year, and yea, it would’ve helped, but that had nothing to do with his 40 yard range limit. With the last 5 to 10 being the butterfly motion. We got kickers with more range. He needs to take everything on his shoulders, cause he wants guys who’ll follow him into battlefields of impossible odds. Right now they’ll be expecting him to pass the blame around if something goes wrong. He needs to take the pressure off of even the guilty parties.
When a great nation falls, it falls from within. There is only two ways to do this. One must "take" power by force, or when the other side simply "gives" it to them. me
Respect and scheduling
I understand the need to play someone of lesser caliber. Especially in the first game. Makes everyone feel good. Awards the players for all the hard work they put out during the fall workouts, etc.
I know, and you do too, that its the non conference games that go a BIG way in getting into bowl eligibility. Hopefully we aren’t playing them for respect.
By scheduling these poorer quality teams constantly we are admitting we aren’t ready to play with the majority of the teams in the conference and go head to head with them. We need those three wins every year. The past two years Lousiville is cooperating with the plan and is giving up the fourth win.
Barnhart seems to go as deep into the bottom of Division One to get those who want the glory of playing against the SEC. I still say we could find some BCS schools, say Duke, which lost to Richmond last weekend, to play. Next season, I believe, Vandy is playing all BCS schools for their non conference games. They may not make it to a bowl but at least they will give their fans something to brag about.
No fan brags about a 2-10 season.
And remember… it is a verified legal fact that there are no teams worse than Duke.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
Two and Ten
I misspoke about Vandy.
They only play three BCS schools. Northwestern, Wake Forest, and Connecticut. And we don’t brag about playing Norfort State, Western and Middle Tennessee either do we?
If the status quo is good enough for us, then we should not use the arguement about having to play the teams in the SEC is tough enough for us.
We could go independent and have a much better record. And it seems just going six and six is what’s its all about. Notre Dame plays in the Big East in basketball and is an independent in football. Should we look into that avenue?
If we could con NBC into a lucrative broadcast contract
For a team that hadn’t won a bowl game in damn near 20 years… SURE! ;-)
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
Because we are part of the SEC and the collective SEC contract just went to ESPN
And there isn’t a national following for any college basketball team the way there is for Notre Dame.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
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