Kyle Tucker absolutely killed it today reporting on the last UK football scrimmage of the preseason. The scrimmage was closed to the media, but Tucker was able to get in afterwards and get some quotes from the staff. The entire recap is [URL=”http://blogs.courier-journal.com/ukbeat/2011/08/20/reaction-from-uks-second-preseason-football-scrimmage/”]here[/URL], but here are some highlights:
From Coach Phillips
[QUOTE]ON DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS: “(They were) bringing stuff from all over the place, attacking the football, running to the football. There were some plays made offensively, but the thing that this defense has done is do a good job of rallying to the ball and getting them to the ground. The thing we can’t have is what we call GAP plays – Game-Altering Plays – which is a run over 15 and a pass over 25. They gave up two in the first couple series. After that, they really bowed their neck and didn’t give up any of those game-altering plays, because they’re so fast. We’re as fast a defense as we’ve had around here.”[/QUOTE][QUOTE]ON NEWTON AND HIS RECEIVERS CONNECTING: “They made some plays today. We made a couple plays down the field, which was good to see. Defensively, we’ve got to play the ball a little better. Morgan’s handling himself really well. I usually try to stand behind the huddle and just watch how he takes command of it, how he operates at the line of scrimmage. He has really good command of the football right now.[/QUOTE]From Coach Sanders
[QUOTE]ON WHO MADE A MOVE TODAY: “I’ve got to watch the tape before I say anybody made a move. It’s good to see Raymond running like he’s running. I thought our backs ran tough. Josh Clemons continues to impress me with the ball in his hands.[/QUOTE][QUOTE]ON LONG COMPLETIONS IN THE SCRIMMAGE: “We hit Matt Roark on a long post route. We hit Matt for probably another 30- or 40-yard gain down the middle of the field. We had a long one to La’Rod (King) toward the end of the scrimmage. There’s no question he has the ability to throw the ball down the field. The question is can we protect him long enough to get guys down there and can our receivers get open when they get down there.”[/QUOTE]From Raymond Sanders
[QUOTE]ON HOW HEALTHY HIS KNEE FEELS: “I’m close to 100 percent. It still gets soreness, but trainers are taking it cautious and doing a great job making sure I’m limited in certain things, doing the right things to get back to 100 percent. I’m very close, and I’m just going to keep pushing it, making sure I take care of my body.”[/QUOTE][QUOTE]ON FOUR O-LINE STARTERS OUT: “I’m very excited that those (backups) are doing a great job. Some plays out here, the holes are big as the Red Sea. [/QUOTE]Once again, good stuff from Kyle Tucker of the Courier Journal. Click the link above for even more info and videos of the interviews.
