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UPDATE
On his Monday call-in show, Mark Stoops had a more encouraging update on Sawyer Smith for the week ahead.
“Sawyer is feeling much better today than he was yesterday,” Stoops said. “That’s good. Hopefully, he keeps progressing and gets back to 100% by this weekend.”
As for the kicking situation, Stoops said that Matt Ruffolo (not Mark Ruffalo) will be the kicker for Kentucky on Saturday against South Carolina.
Kentucky’s situation at quarterback could be getting real dicey ahead of Saturday’s matchup with South Carolina.
With Terry Wilson already out for the year, Sawyer Smith now has several nagging injuries that could affect his availability this week. Already dealing with a wrist injury, Smith suffered a shoulder injury in last week’s loss at Mississippi State.
On Monday, head coach Mark Stoops said that Smith was so sore that he could not throw a football on Sunday. Stoops is hopeful the junior will be good to go this week, but it’s no sure thing.
“Hopefully he’ll be good. We’ll see,” said Stoops.
If Smith is out this week, Walker Wood is the next man up. Stoops also noted that true freshman Amani Gilmore has a ways to go in his development, so it sounds like he’s not going to be an option at quarterback anytime soon.
Stoops also revealed that Matt Ruffolo will be the primary kicker in practice to start this week. The incumbent Chance Poore is battling a leg injury and has missed field goals under 36 yards in two straight weeks, so it’s time for Ruffolo to get his chance.
Backup wide receiver Isaiah Epps continues to make progress and is “getting close,” according to Stoops, but it sounds like the junior receiver won’t be back before Kentucky’s bye in Week 6. Epps is still recovering from a foot injury suffered in training camp.
One other note: You may have noticed that Jordan Griffin didn’t play much Saturday. Apparently, the starting safety was banged up, according to Stoops, which is why Griffin saw limited action. In his place, junior college transfer Quandre Mosely played most of the game next to Yusuf Corker.