http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/players/avery_williamson/131424 Recent articles about Avery Williamson en-us ((HT: Scott Anderson)) This is what the head coach of the University of Kentucky said when he was asked about his job security and/or future after the 40-0 loss to Vanderbilt... It was the worst loss to Vanderbilt since 1916- which can't go over well in Lexington... The players are standing by Joker Phillips regardless of the end result on the field... From WKYT-TV and their post-game: "Joker means a lot. He's our head coach," linebacker Avery Williamson said. "I like him personally, as a guy, outside of coaching. He's going to stay strong for us, so we're going to stay strong for him." "It's just not a good feeling," quarterback Jalen Whitlow said. "You've got to love your coaches. We've got good coaches." The loss sent UK to 1-9 and 0-7... Samford is next on their schedule on the 17th- the HQ guesses it's the homecoming game when Pat Sullivan comes to town... So, it looks like the ... Sat, 03 Nov 2012 22:55:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/joker_phillips_would_like_to_stay_but/12126169 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/joker_phillips_would_like_to_stay_but/12126169 Joker Phillips Would Like to Stay... But... http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/joker_phillips_would_like_to_stay_but/12126169 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Dawg Links Richt's Tuesday press conference: ~~~ First prediction: Watchability: The depleted Wildcats are in for another bloodbath, but Georgia fans will enjoy watching their rested and angry team take out frustration. Look for the Bulldogs to build a big lead, then pull starters in anticipation of the Oct. 27 showdown with Florida. Kentucky likely will start freshman QB Jalen Whitlow as fellow freshman Patrick Towles is recovering from a high-ankle sprain. Shining stars: Georgia: Aaron Murray. The Wildcats just allowed five passing TDs in a weather-shortened game against Arkansas. Now Murray, coming off a terrible performance at South Carolina, gets to shred them. He's thrown for 1,487 yards and 12 TDs against four INTs. Kentucky: Raymond Sanders. The junior averages 5.6 yards per carry but hasn't gotten enough opportunities because Kentucky is often way behind. Who could steal the show: Georgia: Todd Gurley. The true freshman has run for 575 yards and nine T... Wed, 17 Oct 2012 02:00:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/dawgs_daily_17_oct_12/11983117 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/dawgs_daily_17_oct_12/11983117 Dawgs Daily 17-Oct-12 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/dawgs_daily_17_oct_12/11983117 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The No. 6 South Carolina Gamecocks (4-0, 2-0 SEC) travel north to clash with the Kentucky Wildcats (1-3, 0-1 SEC). This SEC football game will kickoff on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2). The big question is not IF the Gamecocks will win but by how much. South Carolina enters as a 21 point favorite. For USC to achieve a big win by big numbers, the Gamecocks must respect these five UK football players: 1. Maxwell Smith. The sophomore threw for 966 yards and eight TDs in three games but missed last week's shutout loss in Gainesville with a bruised joint in his throwing shoulder. He'll be playing most likely in this contest. USC will need to keep him in check. But with the USC front seven....I should not be worried.2. Alvin “Bud” Dupree. The sophomore linebacker has made at least one big play in eight straight games. Against Florida, Dupree had eight tackles including a sack. He leads the Wildcats with five tackles for loss. USC's Connor Shaw needs to know where he is ... Fri, 28 Sep 2012 13:58:48 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/gamecocks_football_five_kentucky_football_players_to_respect/11834617 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/gamecocks_football_five_kentucky_football_players_to_respect/11834617 Gamecocks Football: Five Kentucky Football Players To Respect http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/gamecocks_football_five_kentucky_football_players_to_respect/11834617 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png University of KentuckyLocation: Lexington, KYStudent Body: 28,094 ( 19,292 undergrad)Stadium: Commonwealth Stadium, capacity- 67,606Head Coach: Joker Phillips 3rd season as Head Coach, 12-17 overall recordOverall Record Vs. USC: USC leads the series 15-7-1Last meeting: USC won 54-3 in Columbia UK's 2012 record: 1-3overall, 0-1 SEC, losing last week to Florida 38-0Read more below to find out what might happen this Saturday in Lexington, KY......   Trap Game? I don't think so as the team will not take the Wildcats lightly. Yes, most Gamecock fans are looking forward to the Georgia game next week but Spurrier will not over look a Kentucky team that surprised the Gamecocks the last time they played in Lexington. Kentucky has been struggling but does has just enough talent to make it an interesting game, especially if the Gamecocks are looking ahead to UGA.  Wildcats offense:  Kentucky's offense is scoring 23 points per game and averaging 376 yards through the first four ... Fri, 28 Sep 2012 01:29:39 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/south_carolina_vs_kentucky_football_preview/11829952 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/south_carolina_vs_kentucky_football_preview/11829952 South Carolina vs. Kentucky: Football Preview http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/south_carolina_vs_kentucky_football_preview/11829952 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Fittingly, Kentucky offers little defense for its lack of it. The Wildcats (1-2) enter their Southeastern Conference opener Saturday at No. 14 Florida allowing nearly 400 yards per game. That doesn't bode well for Kentucky against a Gators' offense averaging almost 410 yards a contest. Kentucky's challenge will be stopping Florida's run game, now the Gators' first option after a golden era of passing. Replacing six starters with young personnel explains some of the Wildcats' problems, but the biggest might be their failure to grasp a basic defensive requirement: tackling. Kentucky defenders often use shoulders when arms are required or fail to fully wrap up ball carriers. ''We're not a good tackling team right now,'' coach Joker Phillips said. ''A lot of that has to do with youth, but even some of our older guys aren't good tackling guys. We've got to continue to stress it, and a lot of it is staying up off the ground. Running your feet and all Thu, 20 Sep 2012 16:38:40 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/kentucky_defense_struggles_in_first_3_games/11767747 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/kentucky_defense_struggles_in_first_3_games/11767747 Kentucky defense struggles in first 3 games http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/kentucky_defense_struggles_in_first_3_games/11767747 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png When speaking to the media this afternoon, Kentucky linebacker Avery Williamson said the Wildcats plan on sending an early message to Louisville on Sunday. The thought of making physical contact with Cardinal quarterback Teddy Bridgewater seems to really have Williams excited. ”Ooo, I’d love to hit Teddy,” Williamson told Adam Lefkoe of WHAS11. “Gotta’ take that shot. Let him know how physical it’s going to be.” With all due respect to Mr. Williamson, I don’t think your 2.1 solo tackles per game in 2011 is scaring Teddy Bridgewater. Williamson’s zero career sacks isn’t exactly intimidating. Six days, folks! Mon, 27 Aug 2012 14:01:08 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/kentucky_linebacker_says_hes_looking_forward_to_hitting_teddy_bridgewater/11563324 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/kentucky_linebacker_says_hes_looking_forward_to_hitting_teddy_bridgewater/11563324 Kentucky Linebacker Says He’s Looking Forward To Hitting Teddy Bridgewater http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/kentucky_linebacker_says_hes_looking_forward_to_hitting_teddy_bridgewater/11563324 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png 2011 Record: (5-7, 2-6 in SEC) Head Coach: Joker Phillips (11-14 at Kentucky, 4-12 in SEC) Last Bowl Game: 2010 season BBVA Compass Bowl: lost to Pitt 27-10 2011 Preview 2011 Exit Survey   Schedule Glimpse: 2012 Schedule Link Must Win: 9/2 vs Kent St, 9/15 vs WKU, 11/17 vs Samford Out of Conference: 9/2 at Louisville Swing Games: 10/6 vs Miss St, 10/27 at Missouri, 11/3 vs Vandy, 11/24 at Tennessee   Statistical Snapshot: 2011 Statistics Link Stat to Cheer: held opponents to 77.78% score rate in the red zone (4th in SEC) Stats to Fear: converted only 28.98% of third downs in 2011 (last in SEC, 115th in Nation), had 105 plays of 10 or more yards in 2011 (last in SEC, 118th in Nation)   Personnel: Phil Steele's Returning Starters: (Offense: 6; Defense: 5; Specialists: 1) Key Defensive Returnees: S Martavius Neloms (71 tackles), LB Avery Williamson (49 tackles) Key Offensive Returnees: QB Maxwell Smith (4 TD, 4 INT), WR La'Rod King (40 rec, 7 TD), OG La... Thu, 26 Jul 2012 05:00:09 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/2012_pre_season_preview_kentucky_wildcats/11302177 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/2012_pre_season_preview_kentucky_wildcats/11302177 2012 Pre-Season Preview: Kentucky Wildcats http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/2012_pre_season_preview_kentucky_wildcats/11302177 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png   We have had a long cherished tradition at Kentucky of playing any decent freshman and burning through their eligibility quicker than Jerome Simpson’s stashbag. This can lead to some successes (see also: Randall Cobb) and some not so successful, but playing freshmen is a sign of a coach that doesn’t like what he sees when he looks down the bench, but it could also mean that recruiting has simply not kept up with attrition. Which where we find ourselves currently; hopefully Joker isn’t unpleased with what he has on the roster, after all, he recruited them. In a repeat of 2008, a largely tepid offense returns it’s playmakers but finds itself looking ahead to the task of potentially having to win games while the defense does everything they can to do anything. Losing 5 seniors in the defensive backfield will hurt, but Mikie Benton and Martavius Neloms will come back and Glenn Faulkner will be coming off his redshirt, so there’s not much to get worked up about there. But when you look at what is happe Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:00:08 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/kentucky_wildcat_football_where_will_we_upgrade/9127372 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/kentucky_wildcat_football_where_will_we_upgrade/9127372 Kentucky Wildcat Football: Where Will We Upgrade? http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/kentucky_wildcat_football_where_will_we_upgrade/9127372 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The book on the 2011 season has closed and now the football Cats will change their focus on spring practice and preparing for the 2012 campaign. There will be several promising young players already on the roster vying for playing time and the incoming recruiting class will include a couple of guys that might be ready to contribute upon arrival. Here are the top 5 players on the roster who will need to step up this spring. #11 – Maxwell Smith – QB  When Morgan Newton went down injured this season, Smith was able to come in and lead the offense in a way that proved more effective than Newton had. Now Smith will head into the offseason as the favorite to start in 2012 and will get a jump on Newton while he rehabs his shoulder and misses the spring practice session. Smith will need to prove that he is the future at quarterback for the Cats and he’ll need to do it by the end of the spring. If not, Newton may be able to play himself back into the mix and the door may be opened for Patrick Towles to be give Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:00:06 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/kentucky_wildcats_football_who_needs_to_step_up_this_spring/9009286 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/kentucky_wildcats_football_who_needs_to_step_up_this_spring/9009286 Kentucky Wildcats Football: Who needs to step up this spring? http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/kentucky_wildcats_football_who_needs_to_step_up_this_spring/9009286 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The 2011 Season has wrapped up and Kentucky finished with a less than stellar 5-7 record. The sub-500 record prevented the Wildcats from making a bowl this year and broke a five year bowl streak dating back to the 2006 campaign. Here’s the 2011 report card for the Wildcats: Quarterbacks: D+ Junior Morgan Newton was supposed to be the answer for the Cats and had been groomed for the starting job for two years heading into the season. A combination of injuries to the offensive line and drops by the wide receivers led to some struggles early that he never seemed to shake. A late season injury forced him out of the starting lineup and he will have offseason shoulder surgery, leaving his future uncertain. Freshman Maxwell Smith was able to excel at times when filling in for Newton and looks like the future for Kentucky at the position. Still, inconsistent play from both quarterbacks leaves one wanting and missing the production of Mike Hartline, Andre Woodson and Jared Lorenzon. Bright spots for the futur Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:00:28 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/kentucky_wildcats_football_grading_the_2011_team/8604151 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/kentucky_wildcats_football_grading_the_2011_team/8604151 Kentucky Wildcats Football: Grading the 2011 team http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/kentucky_wildcats_football_grading_the_2011_team/8604151 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png On Thursday, I evaluated the offensive side of the ball and the talent returning to the 2012 Kentucky football team. Today I’ll work on the defense. Once again, no recruits were considered in this breakdown. DEFENSE Defensive Line Sr – Taylor Wyndham Sr – Collins Ukwu Jr – Done Rumph Jr – Mister Cobble Jr – Tristian Johnson Jr- Patrick Ligon So – Mike Douglas So – Alvin Davis So – Christian Coleman So – Lionel Inanzala So – Travaughn Paschal Fr – Farrington Huguenin Losing: Mark Crawford, Antwane Glenn, Jacob Lewellen, Luke McDermott It always seems like the defensive line is Kentucky’s biggest weakness, but the Cats will actually return most of their talent from this year. Rumph and Cobble will be back to eat up space in the middle of the field, and Ukwu, Wyndham, Douglas, and Coleman will all be back after seeing extended time this year. With the wildcats using a three-man front more frequently, the depth that’s been built up at defensive line should only improv Sun, 04 Dec 2011 14:00:16 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/kentucky_wildcats_football_the_future_of_the_defense/8505316 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/kentucky_wildcats_football_the_future_of_the_defense/8505316 Kentucky Wildcats Football: The future of the defense http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/kentucky_wildcats_football_the_future_of_the_defense/8505316 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Man does a win feel good? Albeit, Old Miss isn't exactly Alabama or anything, but they're still a SEC team and that counts for something. Kentucky was able to muster their first semblance of an offense this year and the Wildcat defense was able to limit the damage done by Ole Miss and all of the sudden, we're talking about the possibility of bowl eligibility again. Amazing what a little momentum can do isn't it?So, what happened?Long story short, the Wildcats were able to get the offense going against a suspect Mississippi defense and the Kentucky defense was able to limit big plays for most of the day. The big story will undoubtedly be the emergence of Maxwell Smith at quarterback, but there's more to it than that. For the first time this season, and I'll start this off with the positives.Bright Spots- Obviously it is going to be hard to say much about this game without mentioning the play of Maxwell Smith. He was cool and calm in the pocket and did a great job of picking apart the d Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:00:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/kentucky_wildcats_football_the_morning_after_ole_miss/7905904 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/kentucky_wildcats_football_the_morning_after_ole_miss/7905904 Kentucky Wildcats Football: The morning after Ole Miss http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/kentucky_wildcats_football_the_morning_after_ole_miss/7905904 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Keep following www.wildcatbluenation.com for the best in Kentucky basketball and football news, rumors, and opinions. By Kentucky fans for Kentucky fans Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:00:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/kentucky_wildcat_football_avery_williamson_martavius_neloms_talk/7645525 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/kentucky_wildcat_football_avery_williamson_martavius_neloms_talk/7645525 Kentucky Wildcat Football: Avery Williamson, Martavius Neloms talk http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/kentucky_wildcat_football_avery_williamson_martavius_neloms_talk/7645525 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png