Wildcat Football

In what was a great defensive war, the LSU Tigers beat the Alabama Crimson Tide 9-6 in overtime to basically put them in the national championship game, that is if the Tigers win out.

The argument that Alabama should have a shot to play LSU in the BCS game is crazy..any team that doesn't have a field goal kicker and can't realize that they have 12 men in the huddle in overtime doesn't deserve anything. Especially with all of that happening at home.

Here is a video of last night's game.

Tags: alabama football, bcs championship, lsu football, sec football

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Wildcat Football

I haven't written in this thing in a long time, but since I am sitting here eating a hamburger I just fixed and drinking a nice cold silver bullet, I thought I would stretch this thing out a little.

I am looking forward to the football game tomorrow because I am ready to tailgate all day long. If anyone is bored and hanging out over in the orange lot, I will be across Nicholasville Road behind the Dr. office next to the church. I have been parking there for over 10 years now and it is like a second home during football season. We will probably be playing some cornhole, making fun of the Louisville people over there, and drinking some nice cold beverages.

I have really enjoyed the new writers we have at NOB, and if you haven't check out Chris Minton's newest blog post you really need to check it out. It is definitely hardcore so if you aren't ready for some nastiness stay away.

We hope to do a live podcast from the game tomorrow, and I am a little worried because I will have tailgated for about 5 hours before it. So, if you can't understand me and you will pretty much know why.

Lets hope the Cats have a great first quarter, especially since the 1st team that has scored has won the last 10 meetings. I look for Morgan Newton to go off, and as I said on one of the podcast this week, I think he will be SEC Player of the Week. Yep, I am crazy, but in a BLUE way.

Guess I will get back to following tweetdeck and see if anyone is accusing Coach Cal of illegally recruiting a dog or something... Catch you later. Go Cats!!

Tags: chris minton, john calipari, kentucky football, louisville football, morgan newton, nation of blue

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Wildcat Football

From the Kentucky Kernal

Representatives from Maker’s Mark, UK and Keeneland unveiled the fifth Maker’s Mark bottle design to honor UK athletics Monday afternoon.
The bottle, the second of a three-year bottle series to create an endowment for the UK Symphony Orchestra’s outreach program, will feature Calipari on the label.
The program focuses on bringing the UK School of Music performing groups into Kentucky public schools throughout the state, according to its Web site.
“When they said that (the Symphony Orchestra) would reach out and touch children, I knew there was nothing better,” Calipari said.
Bill Samuels, president of Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whiskey, said the goal is to raise $1.5 to 2 million for the endowment and expects profits from this design to exceed $300,000, all of which will be donated to the endowment.
UK President Lee Todd said the endowment plan is important because some Kentucky school districts do not have the financial resources to introduce students to some creative performances.
“We know how critical exposure to music and the arts is to success in the classroom,” Todd said.
John Nardolillo, director of the UK Symphony Orchestra, said it is encouraging for students to see someone with the visibility and profile of Calipari supporting a program they are a part of.
“It helps get the word out that students in the orchestra are doing something important,” Nardolillo said. “Not just to them, but to people all over the state.”
The outreach program started this year with the orchestra playing in Ashland, Ky., Nardolillo said, and the orchestra has planned to perform at four more venues this year, including shows in Maysville, Leitchfield, Whitesburg and Loretto, Ky.
Calipari is fitting for the face of the new bottle, Todd said.
“In less than a year, coach Calipari has changed the direction of UK’s basketball program,” he said. “He lifted the spirits of the people of the Big Blue Nation.”
People can purchase the 24,000 limited-edition bottles statewide April 2.

Kentucky is the greatest state in the union, and this is concrete when you can get the Head Coach of the University of Kentucky in football and basketball on a bottle of liquor. I don't see any Jack Daniels bottles with Bruce Pearl and whatever their football coaches name is on them.

From Aaron's Football Blog:

As Signing Day gets closer UK still has a few slots to fill for 2010. Just to throw a monkey wrench into things I thought it would be fun to take a look at the recruits both David Turner and Mike Summers recruited at their previous schools.

David Turner:

Jamerson Love (3-Star CB) from Aberdeen, MS
Erik Buchanan (3-Star WR) from Aberdeen, MS
Michael Carr (3-Star ATH) from West Point, MS
Curtis Virges (3-Star DT) from West Point, MS
Mike Thornton (4-Star DT) from Stone Mountain, GA
Asian Ruff (3-Star DB) from Fulton, MS
Jerome Davis (3-Star DT) from Buford, GA
Brandon Hill (N/R ATH) from Crawford, MS

Mike Summers:

Cam Feldt (4-Star OT) from Pilot Point, TX
Luke Charpentier (3-Star OL) from River Ridge, LA
Jordan Rainey (3-Star OL) from Joplin, MO
Damien Robinson (4-Star OL) from Olive Branch, MI
Aleon Calhoun (3-Star OL) from Navasota, TX
Wes Rea (3-Star OL) from Gulfport, MS
Dalvin Glass (3-Star OL) from Dallas, TX
Parker Mack (3-Star OL) from Little Rock, AR

The majority of the players mentioned above have already committed to programs for 2010, but several have not. If either coach has established a relationship, especially with a player who they would directly coach, it’s possible the recruit would give UK a look. Chances are it’s too close to signing day now to make an impact, but remember, players don’t have to sign on signing day.

I would love to see David Turner and Joker Phillips visit Mike Thornton from Stone Mountain, Ga. The Cats already have commitments from three of his high school teammates so I wouldn’t completely rule it out.

One thing is clear, Joker knew he needed to improve recruiting and hired proven recruiters to bring the talent to Lexington. Also, take a look at the states both Turner and Summers recruited for their previous schools. UK hasn’t had much success in Mississippi or Texas and both coaches could open some doors in those states.

From Aaron's Football Blog:

As college coaches continue to play musical chairs this week, Tennessee finds themselves without a coach only three weeks from signing day. Lane Kiffin is headed to USC where he was an assistant under Pete Carroll, but leaves the Vols in bad shape. The entire UT athletic department is in shambles right now. There have been recruiting violations, some reported and some, well...you know Kiffin.

ESPN reported last night that David Cutcliffe would likely be a candidate for the next head coaching job. He is a Tennessee guy and would bring some loyalty back to the program. Some reports state that Will Muschamp and Jon Gruden could be at the top of the list. From UK's stand point, many have to wonder if Randy Sanders could end up back in Knoxville as an assistant? In my opinion, that would be a huge blow to UK.

From a recruiting standpoint, Joker Phillips and company are probably game planning to make another run at Markeith Ambles (4-Star WR) and lock up the soft commitment from Tim McAdoo (3-Star DT). Many people feel that McAdoo was holding out for a UT offer. The bottom line is recruits will jump ship at UT. Look for the Vols to move fast on a head coach.

UK has home basketball games both weekends over the next two, therefore the staff should take advantage and bring in as many recruits as possible. Some recruits who were scheduled to visit last week didn't and are expected to this weekend. Many people criticized the coaching staff for holding off on commitments, but this is a good example of how the strategy could pay off for UK. Just like recruits were jumping ship from USC, they will do the same at UT, maybe more. In fact, two of their top defensive line recruits Brandon Willis and Delvin Jones have decommitted already.

I'm disappointed as I wanted to see UK's next win against Tennessee come at Lane Kiffin's expense.

NOB Thoughts: If you love football and want to keep up with recruiting on a daily basis, check out Aaron's Football Blog. He does the best job of a grassroots blogger on Kentucky football that I have seen.