Chicks Dig the Football

The Inspirational Players Series - An Interview With Martavius Neloms

2013-01-26T19:39:00.002-08:00

Martavius Neloms was already a family favorite in our home because of his unselfishness and loyalty to our beloved Wildcats. Knowing what I do about him now, I am so thankful my sons have a man like him to look up to. I am also very grateful he was willing to take the time to allow me to interview him as he prepares for the upcoming NFL Draft.

Martavius is known across the SEC as Kentucky's most versatile player. He is recognized for his tackling prowess, for pass breakups, and for forcing fumbles. He is highly touted for being a team player as Kentucky coaches switched him from starting cornerback to free safety his junior year, back to cornerback again his senior year. He is especially known for the ferocious hit against Kent State's Dri Archer that likely still has the linebacker reeling. Neloms is known for many things on the football field, but the humble Wildcat never seeks the attention thrown his way. His focus is on the things that matter most - like giving back to his community in ways you may not realize.

The story I'm about to tell you is not one that will grace the stats sheet or the sports pages of the newspaper, but to know Martavius means you need to know this about him...

With all the fame that comes with being a college football player, he could choose from thousands of people to be his friend.. his best friend even. The thing about Martavius? The person he chose to be his best friend is not a celebrity or a pretty cheerleader.. it is a 7 year old named Kelly who is battling Leukemia. Kelly is his friend, and his hero, too. When I asked Neloms about Kelly he was eager to share:

"Words could never describe what Kelly means to me. He is only 7 years old but he is my best friend and my inspiration. I actually got involved with him because I saw his best friend on twitter trying to get people to follow his twitter page to learn more about him. So I actually started tweeting to get his page out there for not only myself, but for the world to know what he was going through. Within a matter of a few hours his followers went from around 300 to like almost 2000 and I thought that was so amazing.

After getting his name out there so much his friend told me how much he wanted to meet me and there was no way I could turn that down. So I gathered up some players and took them to see him with me. He and I instantly had a connection. He's the definition of a fighter. I have never seen him complain, and that's what made me realize how blessed I really am. So after the first visit I just kept going back to see him when I had free time."

Kelly's family and friends are eternally grateful for the friendship Martavius has created with him. His father said that whenever Kelly sees a picture of Martavius or hears his name, he lights up. Not too long ago, when Kelly was feeling too ill to even eat or talk to his friend Ariel, Neloms found out and simply came running to his side immediately. Once his best friend was there, Kelly perked up and was so happy he couldn't stop chattering with him. Martavius did more than make a one time charitable visit with this family, more than just bring him a jersey just like his own. He reached out and made a difference in this young survivor's life that is felt every day.

"I can tell you he is my best friend" claims Kelly. "I've had players come one time and then you don't see them again, but he continued to come and still follows me on twitter, too. He texts to check up on me, and sends me encouraging words."

An Interview With Martavius Neloms

There's no question that NFL teams search for specific things when looking to draft players. Size, strength, and versatility are definitely three things you will bring to whatever team chooses you. Can you tell me a little more about why Martavius Neloms is considered so versatile and what you offer potential teams?

"I'm considered versatile because I came into college as a corner playing some my freshman year. My sophomore year I was the starting corner but was also our starting nickel back when we went to our nickel package before finally moving to safety my junior and senior year. I bring a hard working but yet humble attitude and i just love being around my teammates and helping them get better. I'm a team first guy who would run through a brick wall for them if they needed me to because I just love them and my coaches that much."

Having a "Team First" mindset is not something you take lightly. You demonstrated that time and again while playing for the Wildcats and leave a legacy of selflessness behind. What advice would you give the incoming freshmen about being a part of the team and putting the team first?

"The message that I would leave is Just try to have the mindset that somethings are just bigger than yourself and that in life not only just football you have to make sacrifices for the greater of the people around you. I love all the people that I came into contact with and with the opportunities that I was blessed with it was a honor and privilege to put them before myself."

In your first two seasons as cornerback you totaled 69 tackles. You were, by all accounts, awesome at what you were doing. Then comes a difficult decision for the team and you were asked to switch to safety. Can you share with me what was going though your head when the coaches approached you about their decision?

"Going into my junior right before camp coach brown called me and told me that the staff had decided to move me to safety where they thought I would excel and be able to make alot of plays for the team. Honestly it was music to my ears because as much as I love to help people I knew that I could be that quarterback for the defense to help them get lined up and put everyone in the beat position to make plays."

The position of free safety is often called "The Quarterback of the Defense." This requires you to not only recognize formations, but to communicate with the defense and lead them. You stepped up admirably and showed yourself as a leader on the field. Was it difficult to adjust to both the new leadership role and the new position at the same time?

"Originally the change was hard because I wasn't a vocal leader I tried to lead with my actions on the field. But with the change I knew I had to take my leadership skills one step further so not only did i try to be a leader on the field but off the field as well. I wanted to be the kind of guy that Randall Cobb was for Kentucky that coaches could trust on and off the field. By doing this and learning a new position was tough but with hard work and support from my teammates and coaches I think I did a pretty good job."

Martavius is an extremely talented saavy football player.

He has a very aggressive style (up in your face) approach to the game.

His physical mentality and competitiveness allows him to play that style within

the course of a full game. He is a player who can virtually play all the positions of the secondary.

As well, he is a player who developed into one of our senior leaders by taking the role going

into his senior year and blossomed into a great teammate,

who showcased true characteristics of a real leader. - Andre Woodson

Football is a family affair in the Neloms house. Did your dad, Arkansas State standout Marvin Neloms, have any wisdom to offer you as you started playing college ball? Has football always been a big part of your life?

"Football has always been apart of my life but originally I didn't want to follow in my fathers footsteps of being a football player. I wanted to start my own path and live my own life but one day during my 10th grade year of high school he came to me and told me he just wanted me to give a football a try and if I didn't like it I could quit. He has supported me throughout my whole life not just sports so the least I could do was give him something to look forward to since he had given me so much."

You are known as an active volunteer, participating in projects such as Read Across America and Salvation Army Bellringers. Do you think that your busy life in the NFL will take away your focus on being active in your community?

"I think that it could actually help me become more active. I have always had the mindset that God gives certain people platforms to see how they can help others and I feel like he choose me to give a platform to and I try to give back as much as I can. I don't do the things I do for attention or even a thank you. I do it cause I know its the right thing to do and if I were in the peoples shoes who I help I would want somebody to help me out. If I'm blessed to play in the NFL, I actually want to start a foundation that helps underprivileged children so I think being a NFL player could help jump start that movement."

Tell me a secret? What's one thing about you that your fans probably don't know. A secret talent.. a favorite hobby?

"A secret talent people probably don't know about me is probably that I use to play the piano back in high school. I would imagine I'm rusty now since I haven't played in years."

My sons are just two of thousands of boys who look up to you as a role model and as an inspiration. If you could talk to the young men who look up to you and tell them anything, what would you say?

"I would tell them to strive to be the man you would want your children to look up to. Make sure they do positive things to help other people. Realize that there is no greater feeling in the world than helping someone in need and seeing how their face just lights up cause you're in the same room with them."

I offered Kentucky Wildcat fans a chance to ask you any question they wanted and here is what inquiring minds want to know...

Would you have preferred to redshirt? And how hard was it to play as a true freshman? -kacat

"At times I wish I would have redshirted, because I feel like I could have developed more as a player. I'm glad I played, though, because it gave me a chance to grow up fast on the football field and see what I was really made of."

Did you feel Sorry for Dri Archer of Kent State after you embarrassed him on national television? -JDHLaw

"At the time I didn't feel bad for him because in the heat of battle I wasn't thinking about him or his personal feelings. I was thinking about how to keep playing hard to help my team be in a position to win."

What its like to be a leader of men in the locker room? How do you keep guys accountable? -twhit

"Its an amazing feeling to be considered a leader from your peers. One day at practice Coach Joker told anyone who felt like they looked up to me as a leader to stand up and it was amazing and humbling to see how many people stood up because it never really dawns on you that people look up to you like that. I hold people accountable by first holding myself accountable by making sure I'm on time and doing things right. That way, if someone is slacking, I can let them know they are messing up because I have myself in order."

At what point in your career did guys start looking to you as a leader? -twhit

"I think it was going into my junior year and mostly my senior year when guys really looked to me as the big brother on the team. I had matured from the immature freshman I was into a man which i have to thank my coaches and teammates for that."

What do you feel your chances in the NFL are? If, for some reason, you weren't able to reach those dreams, would you consider playing in the CFL or other minor football leagues? -princeuk21

"I think that my chances to play in the NFL are as good as anyone else's, because I know I work hard and I leave the rest up to God. He knows all and sees all so I just leave it all up to Him. I wouldn't be opposed to playing in smaller leagues because everyone has to get started somewhere and my love for the game wouldn't just let me walk away."

"Not only is Martavius an incredible athlete, he is an absolutely amazing person. He is my best friend in the world and he is nice to everyone. He can be friends with people like myself who have been through a tough time in their life and can easily make them feel better. He's one of the best people I've ever met in my life and I couldn't ask for a better friend. I would do anything in the world for him. I love you, best friend!" - Alex Otte (The Kentucky Wildcat's Biggest Fan, @jetskigirl1996 , who became close to Neloms after she lost her leg as a victim in a drunk driving accident and the Football Wildcats reached out to her in an overwhelming show of support and affection.)

________________________________________________________

A Special Note from The Football Chick -

If you would like to know more about Kelly and his courageous fight, please follow his twitter account:

@Kickinit4Kelly

and check out his Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/Kickinit4Kelly?ref=stream

I would consider it a personal favor if you would do both :)

The Players: Through The Eyes Of Their Biggest Fan - Alex Otte's Take On The Season So Far

2012-11-04T18:10:00.002-08:00

Guest Post by Alex Otte

This morning, I woke up to my mom bringing the Sunday paper into my room for me to read. As with every Sunday paper, I flipped straight to the sports section to see what had been said about the men that I have become extremely close to. I was appalled at what I read. The writers of the herald leader act like the Kentucky football team has no fans that would stay throughout the game (or even throughout the rest of the season), that is most certainly not the case. I admit that the stands weren't as full as I would've liked to have seen yesterday against Vanderbilt, but they were not empty.

The team knows as well as I do that I will be there well past the end of the game no matter the score or the weather, but I was not the only one waiting for them at the tunnel at half time or waiting by the locker room when the game ended. As I told someone yesterday, no one will ever understand how I feel about this team. They have gotten me through so much and continue to do so. Without them, who knows where I’d be today.

There’s a man that sits a few rows below me, he yells the last names of specific players saying how bad they are and exactly what he thinks of the coaching staff, even yells at me when I cheer for us. That man will never be half the man that the players on that field are.

When it comes to Joker Phillips and his future, I have one major point to make- give the man a break! Everyone keeps talking about how bad he is but please keep in mind that you know nothing at all about him other than how his team plays. That’s not enough. It’s not all him, it is a combination of everything. This is his third year as head coach and things take time!

We've had a tough season, I can admit that. But that is no reason to start pointing fingers and blaming people! I’m positive that 95% of the people talking bad about the football program could not do any better. As a side note, we played amazing against Georgia, a game which people expected to be a blow out, but fans like me had faith.

I cried when Maxwell Smith got hurt. I was sitting in section 119 behind him and immediately when I saw the hit I broke down crying. I could tell he was hurt badly. At this point, it wasn't about a football game. It wasn’t about the fact that we were losing our starting quarterback. It was about the fact that my friend was on the ground, and the fact that the people beside me (who claim to be UK fans) started cheering when he got hit! It honestly doesn’t even register in my brain how people could be so cruel.

I think the worst part of this season for me has been the constant injuries. Maxwell’s leg, Martavius’ hamstring, Coshik’s hip, etc. It’s hard for me to watch my friends work so hard and then get hurt like this, and I know it’s hard for them, as well. If there’s one thing I've learned, it’s that football is a lot like life. It’s full of adversity; all you have to do is stick together and overcome it. I will be sticking with my team, let’s hope other people do too.

Joining The Big Blue Nation

2012-09-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

The 37 Year-Old College Football Virgin's Retrospective on UT @ UK; November 26, 2011

SEPT 19^th, 2012-Being a baseball guy through-and-through, I'd never been to a college football game.

Actually, I'd never been to ANY football game, other than a few high school games here and there.

I'd watch college games from time to time on TV, along with a random mix of NFL and CFL games, but never had any real interest in going to see a game live. That all changed last year.

Around October, give or take, I ended up winning quite a lot of random stuff in a charity auction. Lots of liquor in gift baskets (which I gave away; not much of a drinker), some UK stuff signed by some of their basketball players (example: a thermal coffee mug signed by Josh Harrellson...really), and a pair of tickets to the UK-UT match-up at the end of November. Neat.

My first thought was to give the tickets to my parents, who I was convinced would love the chance to go see a UK game, first-hand. I was wrong. Mom couldn't have cared less, and Dad was more than content to stay home and watch it on TV. I guess I would have been, as well, if I had a 46” flat-screen on which to watch it.

Anyway, with no other options but to sell them, and keeping in mind that these weren't exactly Bears-Packers tickets I had in my hot little hand, I decided to go and take some pictures while I was there. If nothing else, it would be a good way to help round out the ol' portfolio with something other than baseball shots.

These were pretty good seats, as it turned out; Section 130, Row 13, and nearly on the 50 yard line. A great spot to find yourself in, especially if it's your very first live college football game. As I entered through the concourse, the sights and sounds from which is drawn the mythology of college football overtook my senses, as if I were suddenly a part of the elaborate process.

My sentimentality instantly overtook me. The electricity was readily apparent; it almost seemed that the spirit of the tens of thousands of fans in the stadium was a part of the steel and concrete that surrounded us. I can't remember experiencing anything quite like it before that day. Granted, it wasn't the Super Bowl. But you'd never have known it by the thunderous cacophony of “C-A-T-S! CATS, CATS, CATS!” which echoed throughout the stadium, from each section and every man, woman and child.

The experience before the game even began was stunning in terms of the spirit and passion of every member of the cheerleader squad; the spiraling, spinning flags of the heralds who bore the colors as if they were the harbingers of a great and terrible army; the horns and drums rising in unison to announce the coming of our champions on the field of battle. All had its moment, its place, its definitive function: to enthrall, to excite, to bring to crescendo the voices of a small city's worth of passionate supporters as the first shots of the war are fired.

I had considered consulting the box score for this game in order to add some statistical notes, but this post isn't about stats. This post is about what I felt. That's what's important; it's the whole point of being a fan, I think.

Anyway, I had the opportunity to watch an emergency quarterback lead the team against a Tennessee squad that was expected to steamroll the obviously weaker Wildcats and not only hold his own, but virtually hold the offense together for the entire game. This was absolutely the quintessence of ball control and conservative play-calling, and there wasn't really a point in the game in which this approach didn't work for UK. With Morgan Newton and Maxwell Smith both injured, Matt Roark was forced to make his first start as a quarterback in this game and essentially made sure he was protecting the ball above all else, even to the exclusion of actually throwing it from time to time. He made only 6 pass attempts the whole game for a total of 15 yards; to put that into even deeper perspective, his longest completion was for (you guessed it, maybe) FIFTEEN YARDS. That's it. So the Air Force took in this war from the sidelines and left the fight to the Marines, so to speak. Interestingly enough, Roark led BOTH teams in rushing with 124 yards. For a little more perspective, that's more than UT had as a team. As a TEAM. Not too shabby, huh?

The defense was not necessarily dominant, but then again they showed no weaknesses in either stopping the running or passing game. Of note to me was LB Alvin Dupree's leaping block of a 46-yard FG attempt in the 2^nd quarter. Winston Guy ran wild with 14 tackles (2 for a loss) and half a sack. Team defense against the run held UT to 61 yards rushing total. For the whole freaking team. Again, not bad. Danny Trevathan and Taiedo Smith, along with Dupree and Guy, stifled a UT offense that appeared visibly shaken at times (and for good reason, I think).

Kicker Ryan Tydlacka punted 9 times in this game as well, with two of them topping 50 yards (including a punt of 60), and averaged 43.6 yards/punt. I've always liked players who made significant but quiet contributions to their team, and special teams players are under-appreciated, in my opinion. A kicker like Tydlacka can change a lot of games.

By the 4^th quarter, the stands literally started to quake under my feet, as 59,855 fans slowly lost their ever-loving minds:

The noise was near-deafening. Somehow, a ruptured eardrum was the last thing on my mind, as I found myself joining the auditory assault. I screamed, I yelled, I got primal. I let my inner caveman run free. And it was exhilarating.

When the last few seconds ticked off the clock, I witnessed 100 yards of emerald turf dissolve into a sea of UK blue in the time it took to blink. Once. The fact that no one was injured in the stampede from the stands is nothing short of miraculous, but it was at least indicative of one simple truth: every single UK-loving fan in those stands had one thought on their mind as that clock expired, and that was “take the field!”. It was the single most massive ad-libbed bum rush of any football team I've ever personally witnessed in any format. And yet, it was as well-behaved as you could ever expect a predominantly college-aged fan base to be.

On, On, U of K...

As I left the stadium, I could not have scripted my first college football experience any more perfectly than it was, that day. It was actually a far more significant game than I had originally known:

This was UK's first win over UT in 27 years. Twenty-seven.
Coach Joker Phillips was a senior on that 1984 team that last defeated UT. That's a long time between wins over an opponent.
The loss cost UT a Bowl appearance.
Roark was playing QB for the first time since HIGH SCHOOL. (Correct me if I'm wrong, here)

On top of everything else, it was 61 degrees and sunny. Perfect football weather.

As I sat and pondered what I had just witnessed, I couldn't bring to mind any other experience to which I could compare it. In the grand scheme of things, it was just a game; just another football game on another given day in another season.

But for UK, for the fans, and for me, it was something else. That je ne sais quoi is something which, entering a brand new UK football season, I still struggle to define. I guess you had to be there. I'm glad I was.

Now it didn't turn me into SuperFan where it comes to college football. But now, it isn't 'just another game' anymore. Now, I know what it means to be a member of the Big Blue Nation.

And on November 26^th 2011, I applied for citizenship.

Tailgating Photo Album - UK vs Western Kentucky

2012-09-16T17:05:00.002-07:00

Very, very creative use of an Ambulance

The renovated Ambulance

The Wildcat Party Bus

The Wildcat Nation tailgate had an actual bartender

The UK Football Fans In The Stands Series - #2

2012-09-16T16:56:00.000-07:00

Prior to the UK game versus Western Kentucky, fans were still hopeful, still looking to start a win streak... looking to win - period. The overall mood for the tailgaters was jovial, but many shared it was not necessarily game related. I heard from many fans that tailgating was often all UK fans had to look forward to with the dismal seasons in recent past.

I spoke to nearly 240 UK fans, as well as a handful of WKU fans on Saturday to talk quarterbacks, recruits, the defense, and standout players. First up are the quotes from the fans, and then the poll questions...

Notable Quotables:

"Look, whether we win today, or not, this is my team. I'm gonna come when it's hot, when it rains, when it snows. I'm gonna come when we win or when Florida hands us our butts to carry back to Kentucky. That's what being a fan is.

"Maxwell Smith could be the next great UK quarterback. My daddy used to say that even the sun shines on a dog's *** once in a while."

"We are here to tailgate, not to win. I gave up on Kentucky winning years ago, man."

"We are family - all 70,000 of us who comes to these games. We break bread together, suffer together, celebrate together."

"Joker... I love Joker. Love him. He is our Tubby Smith. He is someone to love, to respect, to want to be friends with. He is not someone to expect a coaching dynasty from. He dreamed of this gig but he's not ready for it."

"Dusty Bonner is my favorite quarterback. He didn't get the chances of some of the others but that boy could throw! Loved to see him on the field!"

"Who in the hell could say there's a better UK quarterback than Tim Couch? Wait, yeah, so Lorenzen like out threw everyone ever at UK. Fair enough. Fair enough. Can I vote for both?

"The Hefty Lefty was where it was at. Jared was on fire. He could run you over and you'd never get up or he'd throw that ball so far you'd never see it again. Don't let anyone tell you he wasn't the man!"

"Tim Couch is like a god in Kentucky. He is the golden boy did good. Did real good. Kentucky fans can't thank him enough."

"Joker is my coach. I was happy as he was when he was named head coach, I swear it. It's gonna break my heart to lose him but I don't know. Maybe he isn't meant to be head coach. Maybe he could be a lifetime coordinator somewhere.

"Jared Lorenzen. What's he doing these days? He needs to come to Kentucky, teach these boys a little about offense. We are okay on offense but I bet he could make us an awesome one."

"Recruits? Football recruits? Who cares about recruits? Get us a coaching staff in here and then we will talk about recruit!"

"I can name every basketball recruit for next year but no, no football ones."

"This Hyde kid from Kentucky - Jacob Hyde. I can't wait for him to get here and put a hurtin' on someone. You know how big that boy is? 313 pounds of Kentucky bred football. Can't wait!"

"Let's be honest, I do hope Max Smith is our next great QB. I hope he does a fantastic job! The thing is, Towles is who I want. I want him to take every snap next year, I want to see him shake up this whole state. Towles could have gone anywhere but he chose us. I don't want him to regret it."

Polling the Fans

Who Is Your All Time Favorite Kentucky Quarterback?

85 fans said: Jared Lorenzen

67 fans said: Tim Couch

35 fans said: Andre Woodson

22 fans said: Babe Parilli

18 fans said: Shane Boyd

15 fans said: Dusty Bonner

12 fans said: Randall Cobb in the Wildcat

2 fans said: Billy Jack Haskins

Maxwell Smith Has Put Up Awesome Numbers In His First 5 Starts. His Numbers Are Comparable To All The Former UK Greats. Is Maxwell The Next Great UK Quarterback?

70 fans said: Yes

123 fans said: Time will tell, possibly, or wait and see

45 said: no, or absolutely not

14 said: no, but with reservations - no unless we get stronger wide receivers, no unless we get a stronger coaching staff, no unless we get a more mature offense around him

Who Do You Consider To Be The Standout Players On the 2012 Team? Who Are Your Top 3 MVP's?

Maxwell Smith got: 125 votes

Larry Warford got: 87 votes

Aaron Boyd got: 66 votes

La'Rod King got: 37 votes

Bud Dupree got: 32 votes

Landon Foster got: 32 votes

Raymond Sanders III got: 26 votes

Mister Cobble got: 26 votes

Avery Williamson got: 23 votes

Demarco Robinson got: 19 votes

Coshik Williams got: 17 votes

DeMarcus Sweat got: 16 votes

Morgan Newton got: 15 votes

"Nobody" got: 9 votes

What recruits are you most looking forward to seeing next year?

173 fans could not name a recruit and stated they don't follow recruiting for football

47 fans could not name a recruit by name but claimed to follow recruiting somewhat

36 fans said: KY DT Jacob Mackey Hyde ‏ @jhyde61

17 fans said: TN QB Reese Phillips @ReesePhillips11

15 fans said: MS JC DT David Washington @DT44UK

7 fans said: Anyone in the top 50 would be nice

*Note

After I went 106 straight fans with no answer to my question, I added a question:

Do You Find It Concerning That The Average UK Fan Cannot Name a Single Recruit?

40 fans said: Yes

33 fans said: If you want us to pay attention to recruiting, start doing a good job recruiting

15 fans said: No, because in football a single recruit doesn't affect the whole team like it does in basketball

What Is It Going To Take To Make Our Defense Something To Be Proud Of This Year?

*A New Coach *Be More Aggressive *Be in a Different Conference

*Stop The Run *Have The Young Guys Step Up NOW *Start Working As A Team

*It's Not Going To Happen *Start Believing In Themesleves *Starting Meshing As A Line

*Stop Waiting And Start Being Proactive *Stop Giving The Offensive So Much Time

Kentucky Recruits - Twitterfied

2012-09-13T16:47:00.002-07:00

Jalen Battle courtesy of Fox Sports

Here is a list of Kentucky Recruits and their twitter handles. Be sure to show them some love and appreciation. Give each of them a warm #BBN welcome and let them know they have a huge fan base waiting for them! Please feel free to add to this list via comments below.

FL CB Boaz Joseph: @boaz_cb

GA WR DeAngelo Joseph: @TEAM_yancey ***Commit

FL S Jalen Battle: @Jay_Biz_5 ***Commit

FL CB Blake Mcclain ‏ @Bmcclain6 ***Commit

TN QB Reese Phillips @ReesePhillips11 ***Commit

KY DT Jacob Mackey Hyde ‏ @jhyde61 ***Commit

Jacob Hyde

GA ATH Rashard Fant @RashardFant2

FL RB Daryl Chestnut - @dchestnut_26

FL OL Shawn Curtis - @shawncurtis72

FL LB Skai Moore - @SkaiMoore_10

GA DE Maurice Swain - @M_swain55

FL DE Darien Williston - @RudeDW30

TX RB Dez Wortham - @dez_wortham

IL LB Reggie Spearman - @Reggie_Spearman

NJ DE Dajaun Drennon - @Most_Jaunted

FL OL Tylar Reagan - @Treag66

GA ATH Cameron Sutton - @A1Perdicco

GA DT Jay Woods - @BeastOfNature74

FL DT Kyle Shortridge - @shortdog99

FL RB Khalid Thomas - @JstCallMeYngWiz *Commit*

Khalid Thomas

GA CB Trey Cheek - @TreyCheek

GA DE Antonio Riles - @Tee_Riles

OH DT Donovan Munger - @DMunger_95

OH CB Jaleel Hytchye - @TheRealLeel_9

OH RB Keith Watkins - @IRunYouCheer3

MS JC DT David Washington - @DT44UK *Commit*

AL K Austin MacGinnis - @AMacGinnis8 *Commit*

Austin MacGinnis

GA ATH Darren Dowdell - ‏ @DDouble_81

OH OT Kyle Meadows - ‏ @show_stopper75

SC DE Jaylen Miller @J_Miller89

FL DT Kingsley Opara ‏ @future40million

OLB Pierce College Marcus Jenk-Moore ‏ @MJMent_

CA DT Marquel Combs @TheReal_92

Please feel free to add to this list via comments below. I don't take credit for creating this list, a few friends assembled it.

UK - Kent St Photo Album

2012-09-10T21:12:00.000-07:00

UK - Kent State Photo Album - Page 2

2012-09-10T21:11:00.004-07:00

UK - Kent State Photo Album - Page 3

2012-09-10T21:11:00.003-07:00

THE defensive play of the game

UK - Kent State Photo Album - Page 4

2012-09-10T21:11:00.002-07:00

Tailgating Photo Album - Kent State

2012-09-10T18:31:00.002-07:00

The UK Football Fans In The Stands Series - #1

2012-09-10T12:45:00.001-07:00

UK Football Fans In The Stands is a new series in which Chicks Dig the Football will be interviewing and polling Kentucky Football fans before, during, and after the home games at Commonwealth Stadium.

Check back weekly and see what's happening in the Big Blue Nation!

For our first installment of Fans in the Stands, I spoke to 115 UK fans altogether, and here is what they had to say:

Notable Quotables

"UK spends more than any other team in the nation on their basketball program and their coach. The football team is a red-headed step child left crying on the curb"

"How does Kentucky get better recruits in here to improve our team? Seriously? Let Calipari take over the recruiting - that's the only way."

"We've had season tickets for 35 years and we are NOT going anywhere. You can't say you bleed blue and then hitch yourself to our wagon only when we win. If you do, you're worse than a Louisville fan. We don't need you."

"You can't be an atheist and Catholic too. Either you believe or you don't. Same for Kentucky. If you do believe, act like it and get behind your (expletive) team."

"We don't even go inside. We stay out here and tailgate during the whole game. A lot of people do that, you'd be surprised how many."

"UK is offering these 4 game packages to get fans to come. Those packages don't require a contribution to the K-Fund like season tickets do. It's a cry to get fans in the stands, I get that but they are screwing season ticket holders - the most faithful fans they've got when they expect us to pay for everything. It's just wrong"

"You know what Kentucky needs? Belfry's high school coach Philip Haywood. He became the winningest football coach in state history last year and I'm willing to bet my paycheck he can out-coach Joker any Saturday. Any Saturday."

"What we need is another Jared Lorenzen. We even need the fun of Mumme. Like, don't break the damn rules, but just come out and throw the ball everywhere all the time. Our offense is better and that rocks, but we need to be able to play against better than Kent State. Lexington Catholic could beat Kent State by a field goal. I don't ever want to see us turn the ball over on downs like that again. Don't run the ball up the middle. Throw it, man, just THROW IT!"

"I don't want them bringing Petrino in here. Stop talking about Petrino all the time y'all. Seriously? He comes and sits on your couch to recruit your kid and what? He's gonna talk to your wife about taking care of your boy up there? Teaching him to be a man? Him be the role model? No thanks. My wife would kick him out to the curb. Joker has class. You can respect Joker. Petrino isn't worth the air it took me to say all that."

What can the University of Kentucky do to make the football game day experience better for the fans - besides the team winning more?

"Bowl in the end zone" (this was mentioned 12 times but may I interject here that the fans need to show up and fill up the seats we have now first? We don't deserve more seats yet)

"Build a parking structure on Alumni. If you don't have a parking pass, you have to add $10-20 to the cost of your tickets. It's insane. You know you have fans coming, right?"

"Spend Money (on recruiting, on a nicer practice facility, on coaches)"

"Make it more family friendly - like the Legends do for Minor League baseball. Contests, Activities, Kid friendly concessions."

"Create excitement before the game - create a huge tradition that includes the fans like they do at Notre Dame with the fight song, like Virginia Tech."

"We just want to tailgate and be with our friends. We are cool just how it is"

"They need a concession stand in at least every other parking lot, if not every one. Don't sell beer - everybody is already drinking beer. Give me a soda man. If they had pizza or fried chicken out here, do you know how much money they'd make? Hot fried chicken, not cold chicken somebody's brother bought at Kroger like 7 hours ago?"

Polling the Fans

1. What is your prediction for Kentucky wins this season?

75 fans responded:

34 fans said: Kentucky will win 4 games
14 fans said: Kentucky will win 3 games

12 fans said: Kentucky will win 5 games
15 fans said: Kentucky will win 6 or more game

2. Let's assume for a minute Joker gets his 6 wins this season. If we go to a bowl game, they'll keep him as head coach for now for sure. Even if that happened is Joker here in 5 years? Is Joker Phillips Kentucky's long term coach?

87 fans responded:

52 fans said: Yes, with reservations (if he wins 6 every year, if he gets more Towles type players, if he
can get a good defense and a good defense in the same year)
26 fans said:   No, or a variation thereof
9 fans said:   Get behind Joker, no matter what

3. If Joker were to not be our long term coach, who would you choose to replace him?

64 fans responded:

41 fans said:   Mike Leach
12 fans said: That its not cool, not nice, or not classy to try to replace your coach before you play
2nd game of the season
8 fans said: Bobby Petrino
2 fans said: Urban Meyer
1 fan said:   John Gruden

Awkward Moment(s) of the Day

I was accused not once, not twice, but three times of being a scout for Western Kentucky. Yep, because my Craig Yeast Kentucky jersey gave away my secret identity so easily?

Just for Fun - Wildcat Word Search

2012-09-09T21:59:00.000-07:00

2012 KENTUCKY WILDCATS

MARTAVIUS
NELOMS
RAYMOND
SANDERS
III
ASHELY
LOWERY
LANDON
FOSTER
DEMARCO
ROBINSON
MAXWELL
SMITH
MATT
LAROD

KING
DARYL
COLLINS
AARON
BOYD
BENTON
JERRY
WILLIAMS
WILLIAMSON
JAY
WILLMOTT
LARRY
WARFORD
BOOKIE
COBBINS

CRAIG
MCINTOSH
MISTER
COBBLE

*Please Note that the first and last names are not
likely be found together and are considered
separate words

Kentucky - Louisville Game Day 2012

2012-09-02T10:29:00.002-07:00

A quick rundown on the

Kentucky - Louisville Game Day 2012

Game Time: 3:30 p.m.

Location: Papa John's Cardinal Stadium: Louisville, Ky.

All-Time Series: Kentucky leads 14-10

My Prediction: Kentucky 21 Louisville 17

My thoughts:

If weather is a factor, expect Kentucky's SEC prepared run game to fight through more easily than Louisville's offense. This will be a rough, very physical game.

Coach Minter's tough defense will play a big part in keeping this a close game and eventually shut down the Cards

Key Players to Look For:

Demarco Robinson, CoShik Williams, La'Rod King, Maxwell Smith,

Avery Williamson, Collins Ukwu

The 5 Key Factors for a Win Over Louisville

My Article for KY Cat Stats

Why I Hate Louisville

A Letter to Louisville

Depth Charts

Kentucky's Depth Chart: Depth Chart 9/2/2012

Louisville's Depth Chart: Depth Chart 9/2/2012

Some interesting facts from Wikipedia:

The Governor's Cup

Kentucky Wildcats

Louisville Cardinals

Sport

Football

Total meetings

Series record

Kentucky leads, 14-10

First meeting

October 28, 1912

Kentucky 41, Louisville 0

Last meeting

September 17, 2011

Louisville 24, Kentucky 17

Next meeting

September 2, 2012

Largest win

Kentucky, 63–0 (1922)

Longest win streak

Kentucky, 7 (1912–1915, 1922, 1924, 1994)

Current win streak

Louisville, 1 (2011–present)

Trophy

The Governor's Cup

All Time Series

Date	Site	Winning team		Losing team		Series
1912-10-28	Lexington	Kentucky	41	Louisville	0	UK 1-0
1913-11-22	Louisville	Kentucky	20	Louisville	0	UK 2-0
1914-11-14	Lexington	Kentucky	42	Louisville	0	UK 3-0
1915-11-06	Louisville	Kentucky	15	Louisville	0	UK 4-0
1922-10-14	Lexington	Kentucky	63	Louisville	0	UK 5-0
1924-10-04	Lexington	Kentucky	29	Louisville	0	UK 6-0
1994-09-03	Lexington	Kentucky	20	Louisville	14	UK 7-0
1995-09-02	Lexington	Louisville	13	Kentucky	10	UK 7-1
1996-08-31	Lexington	Louisville	38	Kentucky	14	UK 7-2
1997-08-30	Lexington	Kentucky	38	Louisville	24	UK 8-2
1998-09-05	Louisville	Kentucky	68	Louisville	34	UK 9-2
1999-09-04	Lexington	Louisville	56	Kentucky	28	UK 9-3
2000-09-02†	Louisville	Louisville	40	Kentucky	34	UK 9-4
2001-09-01	Lexington	Louisville	36	Kentucky	10	UK 9-5
2002-09-01	Louisville	Kentucky	22	Louisville (17)	17	UK 10-5
2003-08-31	Lexington	Louisville	40	Kentucky	24	UK 10-6
2004-09-04	Louisville	Louisville	28	Kentucky	0	UK 10-7
2005-09-04	Lexington	Louisville (12)	31	Kentucky	24	UK 10-8
2006-09-03	Louisville	Louisville (13)	59	Kentucky	28	UK 10-9
2007-09-15	Lexington	Kentucky	40	Louisville (9)	34	UK 11-9
2008-08-31	Louisville	Kentucky	27	Louisville	2	UK 12-9
2009-09-19	Lexington	Kentucky	31	Louisville	27	UK 13-9
2010-09-04	Louisville	Kentucky	23	Louisville	16	UK 14-9
2011-09-17	Lexington	Louisville	24	Kentucky	17	UK 14-10

Louisville Cardinal's Depth Chart 9/2/2012

2012-09-02T09:54:00.003-07:00

Kentucky's Depth Chart 9/2/2012

2012-09-02T09:52:00.002-07:00

Offense

Tight end
Tyler Robinson
or Ronnie Shields

Left tackle
Darrian Miller
Jordan Swindle

Left guard
Zach West
Teven Eatmon-Nared

Center
Matt Smith
Max Godby

Right guard
Larry Warford
Jack Gruenschlaeger

Right tackle
Kevin Mitchell
Trevino Woods

Wide receiver
La'Rod King
Demarco Robinson

Wide receiver
E.J. Fields
Aaron Boyd

Wide receiver
Gene McCaskill
or Daryl Collins

Quarterback
Max Smith
Morgan Newton

Fullback
D.J. Warren
Cody Jones

Tailback
CoShik Williams
or Raymond Sanders

Defense

Defensive end
Collins Ukwu
Farrington Huguenin

Defensive tackle
Donte Rumph
Mike Douglas

Defensive tackle
Mister Cobble
Tristian Johnson

Defensive end/Linebacker
Alvin Dupree
Taylor Wyndham

Middle linebacker
Avery Williamson
Jabari Johnson

Weakside linebacker
Tyler Brause
Malcolm McDuffen

Linebacker/Safey
Miles Simpson
Josh Forrest

Cornerback
Cartier Rice
Fred Tiller

Safety
Ashely Lowery
Daron Blaylock

Safety
Mikie Benton
Dakotah Tyler

Cornerback
Martavius Neloms
J.D. Harmon

Special teams

Long snapper
Kelly Mason
Kyle Buddle

Punter
Landon Foster
Joe Mansour

Holder
Jared Leet
William Tanner

Place kicker
Craig McIntosh
Joe Mansour

Kickoff specialist
Joe Mansour
or Craig McIntosh

Kickoff returner
CoShik Williams
Raymond Sanders
DeMarcus Sweat
Dyshawn Mobley

Punt returner
Demarco Robinson
Gene McCaskill

Dear Louisville, I Hate You

2012-08-30T07:08:00.001-07:00

L Loserville Nation:
O O-line Sucks,
U Utterly Lame Special Teams
I Is 3rd best school in KY
S Shoddy D-Line
V Virtually No ethics
I Is overrated ALL the time
L Lackluster Fans -
L Lacking in Quality
E Extreme waste of Strong's talent

Dear Louisville,

I hate you.

I hate that you have no sense of reality. You are not better than Kentucky. You are not better than a lot of schools. You fight hard to stay the 3rd best school in your state.

I hate that you win 10/24 match ups against Kentucky and are SO proud that you're "On Top" Do they teach math at your school? Winning 1 game does not rewrite history. You claim Kentucky is terrible, you claim we just can't win against you. Okay. I claim a calculator is in order to see how 10 wins is more than 14 and wonder... if Kentucky is so bad, why are you so excited about that 1 win?

I hate that you consider your school to be a dual threat. In what, exactly? Softball and archery? Because last I checked, your trophy case was missing a few things.. Like I dunno.. Trophies? You couldn't win a National Championship if you BOUGHT IT, and the BCS doesn't even know your name..

I hate your conference. Oh, wait. No, I don't guess your pitiful conference is worth the energy to hate. The only thing big about the Big East is it's name. The Big East doesn't even rate as a little brother of the SEC and yet the number of times you've topped your conference was.... ? I guess you could switch conferences. Oh! That's right.. when the conferences realigned you were passed over for schools no one has ever heard of and the Big East is the only conference who wants you.

I hate your board of directors, athletic program, and the lot. Why are there daily news articles about whatever unethical business deal you've pulled off now? Would you like Joker Philips to come up there and explain what ethics means? Or what class means, for that matter?

I hate your lackluster fans, your wishywashy student section and.. Oh yeah, your whole dang school. You only get hyped up for one game a year. When Kentucky beats you, you might as well hang up your cleats because the rest of the season wont matter. Oh, no... let's be honest. Your season doesn't really matter now. Not to your state, not to your conference, not to the new playoffs system. Just take your toys and go home before your feelings get hurt.

I hate you, I do.

I hate that you think Rick Pitino is the 2nd Coming - Where have you been the last 10 years? The 2nd coming of of a washed up, unfaithful, dishonest coach maybe...Kentucky's leftover crumbs

I hate that you are too backwards to understand that throwing up your hand and making the "L" sign means you're proud to be a loser. Even 2nd graders comprehend this sign is meant to insult stupid people, not something to celebrate. Your ignorance is a blight on the state of Kentucky... though I suppose that's a given, regardless of the topic

I hate that you would stoop so low as to put UK logos in the bottom of the urinals at your football facilities. It's one thing for fans to talk trash. Its another for the University itself to show such an utter lack of class, to demonstrate such a level of disrespect. Charlie Strong is likely as embarrassed as we are for you. You have a good coach but you'll bring his name down and he's gonna run like hell just like Petrino did. If you can't keep trash, you sure as heck aren't going to hold on to the real thing.

Finally,

I hate that you think you can even compete with us in basketball. Let me spell it out veerryyyy slowlyyyy for you. Kentucky leads, 30-14. Thirty to fourteen. If I write it in crayons, will it help? You are good for the average high school. We are good for the average National Champions.

Chicks Dig the Girls Who Know Football - An Interview with Susan Tyler

2012-08-25T11:09:00.003-07:00

Susan Tyler has always been a Kentucky fan, but growing up she knew a bit more about basketball than football. She would watch every football game and cheer them on, but was more of a Kentucky fan in general than a Kentucky Football fan in particular.

In 2006 UK football became more than a passing interest and Susan has been one of the more die hard female fans at the UK Women’s Clinics ever since. We are thrilled to be include her in our Girls Who Know Football Series.

An Interview with Susan Tyler

When did you become a UK football fan? Have you always loved football?

Susan with Joker Phillips, and Babe Parilli, legendary
All-American UK Quarterback under Bear Bryant

I became a die-hard UK football fan in 2006. I lost my Dad to cancer in January of 2006, and that first season without him was both a way to grieve and celebrate his life at the same time.

I used Kentucky football as a way to remember him and the times we cheered and groaned together as we watched our Cats. It seemed like more groans, as I remember watching the 2003 7 OT UK-Arkansas game with Dad, huddled around our tv at our rental house in Disney World, trying not to wake my sister and her kids. And the 1993 Peach Bowl, when it was all but won, except for that joyous-then-painful interception-then-fumble.

I started going to the UK Women’s Clinics in 2006, and getting to know the players better was all I needed to turn my casual fandom into fanaticism. Making a bowl game that year would have made my Dad so happy, and I feel like I was enjoying it for the both of us. Kentucky Football is such a passion for me now. I do my best to know EVERYTHING about the team...depth chart, recruiting, etc. and support them no matter what.

What is one part of the game of football you wish you understood better?

There are certainly parts of the game I don’t completely understand (Women don’t get the benefit of learning through DOING when it comes to football). By attending the Women’s Clinics and reading different articles and blogs, I have a better understanding of the different defenses, but that’s one part of the game I could always understand better.

Describe your favorite type of player. What would you look for in a recruit?

Randall Cobb and Susan

Randall Cobb comes to mind as my favorite type of player (I’m sure I’m not alone with this opinion!) I look for someone that is a leader from day-one through words and actions...as Joker says “In the classroom, on the field, and in the community”. A player that can will his team to over-achieve through pure effort and determination, as well as skill. On the current team, this player seems to be Avery Williamson. I’m so excited to see him play, as I know he will be a role-model on and off the field. Super-talented, but has the locker-room charisma to make the team better by being their leader.

Tell me about your favorite UK football memory

My favorite UK football memory would have to be the 2007 Louisville game. For the past 4 years, we had been beaten by our rivals, which, as someone who lives in Louisville, was not enjoyable at all. They came in with all the hype, and the game was about as exciting as possible. Of course, the ending was PERFECT. Looking around Commonwealth when Stevie made the catch allowed me to see such joy in Kentucky fans that I hadn’t seen very often.

Susan and friends at her first UK Bowl Game
UK vs Clemson Music City Bowl 2006

A close second is the 2008 Arkansas game. We were among the few that stayed in the stadium when it looked like all was lost. When Hartline and Cobb started mounting that comeback, it was among the loudest Commonwealth has been, with a quarter of the people. I was so proud of our team and it validated my rule to never leave a game until it’s over.

I have had the “bad luck” of watching many of the top UK moments on TV, so I didn’t include these: 2007 LSU-My brother-in-law’s 40th birthday party at Keeneland. Watched it on the big-screen then the ending at home(I cried when we won). 2010 South Carolina-on vacation in North Carolina and watched it atop a mountain (and cried again when we won). 2011 Tennessee - my wedding was the next weekend, and had too much going on to make the trip. ☹ Watched it from home, and was SO HAPPY, even if I couldn’t share in the joy on the field with the other UK fans.

My other top moments at games are:

2006 Georgia-loved it when the fans

stormed the field and took down the goalposts!

This was the moment this team KNEW

they could compete with the best.

2006 Bowl Game vs. Clemson-perfect weather, perfect ending.

First Bowl game I had attended!

2008 Liberty Bowl vs. ECU-what a come-back!

Memphis gets a bad rap, but we had such a great time!

East Carolina fans were not happy. ☺

You have stuck with UK through good and bad. That's a key part of being part of the #BBN. What does the BBN mean to you?

For me, being a part of the BBN means to support the Blue and White in everything they do. Being a fan of a university is to support the COLLEGE ATHLETES across all sports. I take my membership in the BBN seriously, and defend our coaches, players, and administrators when attacked. I love being a member of the BBN, and know that there are thousands just like me everywhere I go.

2011 Women's Clinic with Bud Dupree
(40 pounds lighter than this year) and Josh Clemons

People are generally startled by females who are true football fans. What do you have to say to them?

I simply say that while some women like to scrapbook or read novels, I enjoy Kentucky football. Along with playing tennis, it is my hobby. And since there are less women than men who are true football fans, I feel that it is my responsibility to know what I’m talking about. My fan-hood is not for show: I am truly passionate about this Kentucky football program and do my best to know absolutely everything about it and its players.

What players are you looking forward to seeing this season?

As I have mentioned earlier, I love Avery Williamson. I got to talk to him a bit at this years Women’s Clinic, and he is a fantastic young man. In addition to his personality, I think he is going to absolutely crush it on the field this year. His goal is to lead the SEC in tackles, and I think that’s a reasonable goal. Another member of the defense I can’t wait to see is Bud Dupree. He also has a goal this year: to break the SEC sacks record, and average 2 sacks per game. I’d like to see that number double in game 1. ☺

Avery Williamson
Susan's favorite player on this year's team

Other players I am excited to see this year: Dyshawn Mobley, DeMarcus Sweat, Demarco Robinson, Daryl Collins, and Jalen Whitlow. Of course I’m excited to see Maxwell Smith and how he has improved this off-season, as well as our o-line. I can’t tell you how much I believe this offense will be improved from last year, and will surprise a lot of people.

If you could have a sit down with Joker, what advice would you want to give him?

I’d tell him to keep doing what he’s doing, to not listen to the “noise”, and not to play too conservative. The recruiting the past 2 years and this coming year has been STRONG. Continue to play to his team’s strengths, and use Special Teams and field position as a crucial cog in the game plan wheel. Last year was a struggle, but we ended strong and have the playmakers on this team to get back to a bowl. Play smart football, take calculated risks when necessary, and continue to make the decisions that he knows are best for this team. Joker is one of us-NO ONE wants this team to win more than him, and he will do everything he can to make that happen. It’s our job as fans to get behind this coaching staff and team and support them. Period.

Susan and her nephew John at his first SEC football game
(Against Florida when Tebow got knocked out)

Susan's All Time UK Dream Team

QB-Tim Couch

RB-Moe Williams

Kicker-Tim Masthay

WR/PR-Randall Cobb/Derek Abney

TE-Jacob Tamme/James Whalen

LB-Wesley Woodyard/Marty Moore/Danny Trevathan

CB-Trevard Lindley

DE-Jeremy Jarmon/Art Still

DT-Myron Pryor/Cory Peters

Center-Matt Smith

OG-Larry Warford

OT-Antonio Hall

Chicks Dig the #BillsMafia Mania!!! An Interview with Michael Casullo

2012-08-25T09:55:00.002-07:00

The infamous Bills Bus, its Captain, and friends

Next in our series on the passionate Buffalo Bills fans, otherwise known as the #BillsMafia, is Michael Casullo. Michael is known as the Bills Bus Captain because Michael and his Dad own a Bills Bus that he and his friends take to every game. As a Bills fan since birth, Michael takes his membership in the #BillsMafia very, very seriously.

Mafia Member Facts:
Name: Michael Casullo
Twitter Handle: @BillsBusCaptain
Self Described as: Just a regular guy with an extreme affinity for the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres. Proud co-owner of The Bills Bus est. 2008.

Tell me about when you first became a Bills fan. How did that happen?

Like a lot of other people in Buffalo, I was born into it. My parents had season tickets as I was growing up so I was taught the ways of the 12th Man. It was always a big deal on Sundays for away games. We would have everyone come to our house to watch the game. It is still that way and now my friends, along with my extended family all get together.

What does the Bills Mafia mean to you?

#BillsMafia means a lot to me. The biggest thing is pride though. I'm most proud of being a member because Bills fans are finally getting the respect that we deserve. We are true fans and love our team regardless, and I think a lot of people outside of Buffalo are finally seeing that.

What about the Bills create such a loyal following and such a passionate fan base?

  I think I've spoken about it a little bit. We are born into it. I think the thing that keeps people involved is the family parallel. Going to a game at the Ralph is like seeing your extended family, like you do on holidays. You go to the same place to park, see your friends and family, eat, drink and enjoy their company. It's tradition.

Tell me about this upcoming season. How will the Bills do?

  I feel that we will finally turn the corner this season. As excited as the fans are, I feel the players are even more excited. They are a proud group of players and after reading some of their quotes, they are highly motivated to start winning again. I feel that they want to do this for themselves, but more so for each other, their coach, Mr. Wilson and especially the City.

.



Who will step up and lead the team in 2012? Who will stand out this year?

  I think that either Andy Levitre will step up into a leadership role or Jairus Byrd. They both are among the best at their position in the league and have turned into "young veterans" on and off the field.

As far as players who will stand out statistically, I feel that Scott Chandler is going to have a great year. I think that Coach Gailey saw what he could do last year and is going to design some plays to get him the ball more.

University of Kentucky Football 2012 - The Players: Through The Eyes Of Their Biggest Fan.

2012-08-24T20:51:00.001-07:00

Alex Otte is widely known as the UK fan that the players themselves are a fan of. She is not merely a spectator, she has a close personal relationship with the team.
You can read more about how Alex became such good friends with the players in the feature article we posted about her for our Inspirational Players Series - Chicks Dig the Inspirational #1 Wildcat Fan - Alex Otte.

Throughout the season Alex will be posting photo albums, notes, and articles on her friends - the UK Football Wildcats.

University of Kentucky Football 2012

The Players: Through The Eyes Of Their Biggest Fan.

A Guest Post by Alex Otte

These were the pictures taken at fan day. This is not all the players and absolutely not all of my friends.

#1: Martavius Neloms

Martavius may be one of the nicest and most talented people I have ever met. Each season since I met these guys I have bought a jersey to wear to games, Last year, the jersey I wore was #22, Danny Trevathan. This year, my jersey of choice is #1 for Martavius, which I plan to get him to sign next time I see him.

#11 Maxwell Smith

To understand this series, you must understand that I'm not just their biggest fan, these men are my best friends, so I'm not as interested in getting their autographs as I am just being able to talk to them and give them all a hug. Walking up to get Max's autograph at fan day, I was so afraid that the man standing in front of the quarterbacks wasn't going to let me get close enough to give Maxwell a hug. As you can see from this picture, I guess as I walked back without even paying attention to the fact that he was standing there he realized that I was going to hug my friend whether he liked it or not. :)

#12 Morgan Newton

On Feburary 7th of this year, I barely knew Morgan. My dad, mom, little brother and I were all sitting at the UK basketball game because it was my brothers ninth birthday. I recognized Morgan sitting near me. My brother walked away and I knew it would be really special for him if he were to get a "Happy birthday" from Morgan Newton. Even though I barely knew Morgan at the time, I walked down and asked if he would wish my brother a happy birthday when he came back. Morgan said yes and when my brother was walking back to our seats Morgan wished him a happy birthday. He was ecsatic! Also, Morgan may be the most intelligent man I have ever met. I decided to play him in Words with Friends. I had no chance.

#16 La'Rod King

I can't say enough about La'Rod King. Not only is he an amazing athlete, he's an incredible person. Him and my brother have their own weird little handshake that you wouldn't think means much, but to my brother, it means the world and La'Rod is not only his favorite player, but his favorite person ever. To me, he is an amzing friend and he can be totally weird and totally hilarious but that's why we love him so much.

#21 Josh Clemons

Josh Clemons is really special to me because, even though he didn't lose a leg like I did, he came back from an injury and always had a positive outlook.