Saturday, October 31, 2009

October 31st: On this date...


... in 2007, Jodie Meeks scored a game-high 34 points and Patrick Patterson added 21 to key the Wildcats past visiting Pikeville, 99-64. It was the first of two exhibition games for the Cats and was the first appearance in Rupp Arena as Kentucky head coach for Billy Clyde Gillispie. Meeks hit seven first half 3-pointers on his way to 27 first half points, matching Pikeville’s total. Since it was an exhibition, the stats didn’t count, but Big Blue Nation didn’t seem to mind. It was also the debut for freshman Patrick Patterson. He finished the game 10-12 from the field, even though the highly touted newcomer wasn’t in the starting lineup. New head coach Billy Clyde had the starting lineup of: Ramel Bradley, Jodie Meeks, Ramon Harris, Perry Stevenson, and ...........wait for it.......................Mark Coury! Billy Clyde Gillispie is no longer employed by the University of Kentucky.

*** October 30th trivia answer: Tony Delk, Jared Prickett, and Rodrick Rhodes. Recruiting analysts tabbed that recruiting class as the #1 class in the country.***

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Friday, October 30, 2009

Cleared.

Move on to your next story haters.

I'm Batman.

October 30th: On this date...


... in 1991, a lanky 6'9" forward from Evansville, Indiana, decided to play basketball for your University of Kentucky Wildcats. His name? Walter McCarty. The recruitment of McCarty came down to Purdue, Kentucky, and Evansville. He chose the Cats shortly after visiting Big Blue Madness a few weeks earlier, making Kentucky four-for-four on getting commitments from the recruits coming to the 1991 Madness. Any Big Blue Nation member can tell you the importance of Walter McCarty to the rebuilding efforts of Kentucky basketball, the most famous being his shot from the corner in Baton Rouge during the Mardi Gras miracle. McCarty was an extremely rare inside-out big guy who could defend anyone on the court, as well as shoot it from anywhere on the court. He posed matchup nightmares for any Kentucky opponent. He later turned in his Big Blue Nation membership card when he hopped on Rick Pitino’s staff at that other school.

*** Can you name the other three players at the 1991 Big Blue Madness along with Walter McCarty? Answer tomorrow.***

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach


Thursday, October 29, 2009

2009-10 Totem Pole


This is from May 7, 2009. Crucify me if you want (the update is coming):

With the signing of Eric Bledsoe yesterday, the makeup of the 2009-10 Cats is nearly complete. Anything added to the current roster is gravy. Yes that means you John Wall. Since the roster/scholarship situation has been discussed ad nauseum via the interwebs, I thought I would throw up a totem pole of most important players for this fall's team. I cannot imagine this would be the same as your totem, so feel free to crush me in the comments. Again, this is not best player, best athlete, etc. I will try and correspond each 2009-10 player with a player from the 1995-96 team, or someone of their potential ilk.


Staring at the top, Jodie Meeks is the most important. I know point guard is the position we've been lacking lately, but if Jodie for some reason doesn't come back, we'll lose a ton. I don't think you can put a price on seniority and leadership for such a young team, and that's exactly what we'll have. Not to mention someone I KNOW can fill it up from outside. We could win without him, it'll simply be easier with him. Many of these studs coming in have been used to dominating games for four years. That will not necessarily be the case come October/November. How will they handle adversity? Most have probably never felt it. The experience of Jodie, or any upperclassman for that matter, can help temper the emotions of an 18-year old on the court. Tony Delk clone from '96. Hmm, isn't Delk back this year. Interesting.

Pat Patterson comes in at #2. I would've put Pat in the top spot, but when its all said and done, we'll have enough bodies down low to provide consistent play. The reason we need Pat back bad is, to be frank, to help school Kwame Brown DeMarcus Cousins on how to practice. Maybe he's a hustler in practice, maybe not. From what I've gathered in what little time I've had to see him, is his laziness. Coach speak can only go so far for a young man. To have Pat come back and show this kid the ropes for a year would do wonders for Cousins and the program as a whole. Antoine Walker without the shimmy and square head.

Darius Miller and Ramon Harris are next. Probably for no other reason than I trust these guys. I know what I'm getting with both. Miller having a wide-range of offensive skills, Harris providing a much needed intangibles role for what could be a loaded team. Harris definitely won't see the type of minutes he saw last year, but I see him as the type of glue guy who will get key defensive stops and throw his body all over the floor in a Allen Edwards/Ravi Moss '04/Dale Brown '93 type of mold. Miller will either play the role of freshman Ron Mercer or junior Derek Anderson. Either is fine with me.

This brings us to the all important point guard. Coach Cal was probably right when he talked to Bledsoe. You're the guy. There's no promise of John Wall coming, and he's already seen what he currently has or at least has an idea of the skill set of Liggins and Galloway. Eric Bledsoe has quite possibly stumbled onto a gold mine. If he's the guy, he will have an unreal team around him. If Wall comes in, he'll have a year to learn from a potential top NBA pick and get a chance to experience Cal's dribble-drive. Depending on how everything else goes down, he could be the 1995-'96 Anthony Epps/Wayne Turner character. Epps being someone who realized what he had around him and just tried to stay outta the way. Turner being someone who got decent minutes, but mostly sat back and learned everything he could for the following years. Which will it be?

DeMarcus Cousins, Daniel Orton, and Perry Stevenson is going to round out the top eight. All three will possibly challenge for minutes at the same spot. They'll all get chances at the four and the five. If you go on talent alone, Cousins and Orton are your guys. Stevenson could excel in this offense simply on oops and putbacks. He knows the speed of the game and I'm sure "the Coz" has learned a few tricks in his time at UK. A UK senior will not go down without a fight. Mark it down. He's playing for a professional career. Motivation is powerful. Think Walter McCarty minutes/importance.

Jon Hood and Darnell Dodson will hovering around Ramon Harris waiting for him to falter. If he falters, everything I said about him goes out the window. Hood and Dodson will have to make their money on hustle plays and defense this year, which is totally fine by me. Think of these guys as the Jeff Sheppard role.

I've just went through the top 10 players for UK this fall and you can literally make a case for playing time for each of them. What a time to be a UK fan.

Matt Pilgrim. C'mon, we're talking about practice, no? Prove me wrong. Let's go with Jared Prickett. Sorry Matt.

Everyone else (Kevin Galloway, DeAndre Liggins, Josh Harrellson, A.J. Stewart) is in the danger zone. As Matt said in his scholarship recap, these guys could be fighting for one spot if John Wall comes to UK. If he doesn't come, those guys are fighting for two spots. These four guys will be fighting for the fat Nazr and Oliver Simmons roles.

Dwight Perry + Mark Krebs = Jason Lathrem + Cameron Mills

Here's the 2009-10 UK totem pole:

1. Jodie Meeks*
2. Pat Patterson*
3. Darius Miller
4. Ramon Harris
5. Eric Bledsoe
6. DeMarcus Cousins
7. Daniel Orton
8. Perry Stevenson
9. Jon Hood
10. Darnell Dodson
11. Matt Pilgrim
12. Kevin Galloway
13. DeAndre Liggins
(14.) Josh Harrellson
(15.) A.J. Stewart
(16.) Donald Williams
17. Dwight Perry**
18. Mark Krebs**

*- could leave this spring
** - denotes Walk-on, definitely on the roster

Tell me how bad I screwed this up, and what would you change?

October 29th: On this date...

... in 2005, Kentucky running backs Arliss Beach and Rafael Little had a combined 239 yards from scrimmage in the Wildcats 13-7 victory over the visiting Mississippi State Bulldogs. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Cats, but was only the first win of the season against a Division I opponent. Little finished with 114 yards on 24 carries, while Beach totaled 84 yards on 14 carries. The Big Blue defense allowed only 99 yards of total offense in the first half, never allowing the Bulldogs to get past the Kentucky 30-yard line. A quarterback change ignited the offense for Mississippi State, but the Cats held on late for the win. Sophomore quarterback Andre Woodson, who was battling the flu, finished the game completing only 13 of 27 passes for 141 yards and no touchdowns. The lone Kentucky touchdown came in the first half on a Rafael Little 8-yard scamper.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

***Breaking News*** - Coal Out, Boners In?

Actually, I think the name will grow on me.

In a fantastic turn of events, a source close to the situation has informed me that the University Board of Trustees has overturned their decision to name the new basketball living quarters Wildcat Coal Lodge. There was no indication a rift was between the University and the coal industry, as the two have worked together well in the past.

But the lefties on the University Board have some major pull as they announced this morning to go with hippies as opposed to Big Coal. The Kentucky Department of Parks and Recreation have been in negotiations with the University over the past few days to get rid of this "Hershey Highway" name from eastern Kentucky.

Governor Steve Beshear will have a presser this afternoon announcing the new name of the old Joe B. Hall Wildcat Lodge...................Big Bone Lick Suites. The students (or "ballers") who will ultimately live in the new dormitory effectively shall be called Boners.

The signage outside of the Suites will stay true to its State Park brother just up the road. The only change will be that the woolly mammoths on each side of the signage shall have "erect trunks" (like this) as opposed to the "limp noodle" featured above. The new barracks will be included in the Bourbon Trail and State Park Association.

More to come as this story develops.

October 28th: On this date...


... in 2006, Kentucky scored on four of its first five second half possessions in Starkville to take a 31-17 lead, and eventually hung on, 34-31. It was not without drama, though, as Jacob Tamme had to recover a last ditch onside kick with 2:12 left in the game to make things interesting. Keenan Burton led the way for the Cats with 5 catches, 81 yards, and two touchdowns. He also added 93 yards on kickoff returns to help set up the offense. Dicky Lyons, Jr., finished the game with 8 receptions, 117 yards, one touchdown. The highlight of the night was a great Dicky Lyons one-handed touchdown catch in the end zone.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach



Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Best News Ever?


It's definitely up there, as Eric Lindsey (Cat Scratches) lets us know that viewers with Insight cable will get to see their Cats in High-Definition for the foreseeable future. The upcoming Blue-White scrimmage (Wednesday) and this weekend's football game vs. Mississippi State will be televised on Insight channel 929. All of the other early season basketball games that were supposed to be televised on FoxSports South or Big Blue Network will now be offered in HD.

And as anyone with Insight knows, channel 929 is a "Special Events" HD channel serving no purpose other than random Cincinnati Reds HD broadcasts. And as any Cincinnati Reds fan will tell you, their season is usually over after a month or two anyway (i.e. its a worthless channel).

In essence, with the new ESPN contract and the combo of Insight and Fox Sports stepping up, the beatdowns for the remainder of the football season and the Race to 2000 will be clearer than ever!

And for those without Insight cable or Kentucky HD access, call your cable provider. That's one thing I've never understood with Kentucky fans: we bitch and bitch about our teams, coaching decisions, uniform decisions, Coal money boosters, etc., but for the most part expect other people to call the cable providers and request technology advances.

Go Cats.

October 27th: On this date...


... in 1991, a high-schooler from Brownsville, Tennessee, committed to play basketball for your University of Kentucky Wildcats. Tony Delk would eventually win Mr. Basketball in the state directly south, as well as be named to both Parade and McDonald’s All-American team. In 1994, Delk was named to the All-SEC Tournament team. In 1995, he would be named first team All-SEC. In 1996, he would be named first team All-American, SEC Player of the Year, and the Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Tournament. Tony Delk ended his career as the #4 scorer in the history of Kentucky basketball, and currently sits #5. The undersized shooting guard could fill it up with the best of ‘em, tying an NCAA record with seven 3-pointers made in the 1996 NCAA Championship game.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Sunday, October 25, 2009

October 26th: On this date...

... in 1989, the one-and-only Jamal Mashburn committed to play basketball for the University of Kentucky. It was the first big commitment of the Rick Pitino Era as the Bronx, NY, native had followed the former Knicks coach very closely. Mashburn and his Unforgettable teammates help lead a turnaround of massive proportions, leading Kentucky to an Elite Eight in 1992. One year later, Mashburn led Big Blue to a Final Four where they would fall to Michigan’s Fab Five. October 26, 1989, deserves to be a holiday in the Commonwealth as one can pinpoint this day as a starting point for one of the most successful decades in program history. The Monster Mash had climbed to fourth on the all-time Kentucky basketball scoring list as he decided to turn pro after his junior season. He currently stands #6 on the all-time scoring list.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

October 25th: On this date...

... in 2003, Kentucky’s all-everything wideout Derek Abney tied the NCAA record for most career kick returns for a touchdown in a 42-17 rout of Mississippi State. Abney’s 80-yard punt return in the third quarter was his eighth career kick return for a touchdown, tying Cliff Branch (1970-71 Colorado) and Johnny Rodgers (1970-72 Nebraska). Kentucky came back from a 17-0 first half deficit and scored 42 unanswered points for the final tally. Abney’s punt return put the Cats up 21-17, and they never looked back. Jared Lorenzen also broke Tim Couch’s record for career touchdown passes (74) on a 53-yard play to Abney, giving him 75 for his career. J-Load finished 16-24 for 256 yards and the lone touchdown. Nice record-breaking day for the 4-4 Wildcats.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach


Saturday, October 24, 2009

Where is the Love?


As we all know, the football Cats are sitting at 3-3 right now. Wins over Miami (OH), Louisville, and Auburn and losses to the consensus #1, #2 teams in America with Florida and Alabama and a very good, in and out of the poll South Carolina team. That leads me to my question of at what point will the Cats start making some noise in the polls? If we win the next 4 games, which is very possible and really should happen, that would put us on a 5 game win streak leading into a trip to Athens. Could the Cats be ranked and possibly favored going to Georgia?

All questions that we hope will be answered in the next month. Looking at
the polls I see Oklahoma still ranked at #25 with the same record as the Cats. I am in no way saying we are better than Oklahoma, but when you compare UK and OU you will see an interesting story. Oklahoma is 3-3 with losses to BYU, Miami (FL), and Texas. I think the Cats 3 losses are better losses than those 3 and Oklahoma wins are over Baylor, Idaho State and Tulsa. I would make a strong argument that the Cats wins are over better teams than Oklahoma.

So is Oklahoma really better than
Kentucky? I would say without their Heisman winning quarterback, Sam Bradford out for the season, NO,. I think a UK versus Oklahoma bowl game in the Cotton Bowl would be fun for all. Matching up the 2 best conferences and an up-and-coming team versus a staple in the top 10 over the past decade. Just food for thought.

October 24th: On this date...

... in 2008, Kentucky guard Jodie Meeks declared himself 100% healthy about a miserable 2007-08 campaign that was plagued by injury and a coaching change. A sports hernia initially diagnosed as a stress fracture in his pelvis and a hip flexor limited the Norcross, GA, native to 11 games. And with the loss of seniors Joe Crawford and Ramel Bradley, Meeks knew he needed to step up his offensive game in order for the Cats to be successful. The fact there was no mention on the SEC’s preseason All-SEC team also kept the fire alive in Jodie for 2008-09. Little did Big Blue Nation know what was in store for them during the 2008-09 basketball season. While the team struggled down the stretch, the individual performances by Jodie Meeks were immediately legendary. Jodie had a monster season highlighted by the ridiculous 54-point performance at Tennessee.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach


Friday, October 23, 2009

October 23rd: On this date...

... in 1998, a 54-year old Englishman, Ian Ward, came up with possibly the greatest idea of my generation........the image you see above. Ward was the general manager of the Kentucky CoolCats, the University’s barely funded hockey team, came up with a spicy idea to promote the team. Having seen Judd on TV during the basketball season, the idea popped into his head to contact the UK alum in a last ditch effort to gain some excitement. Judd was contacted by her cousin and finally agreed to do the shoot. The poster was a hit, a pop culture phenomenon. Outlets such as USA Today and Washington quickly picked the story up causing a stir among professional hockey players. Everyone had to have the poster. Brett Favre’s agent requested a dozen or so copies. What started as a favor, ended up being quite possibly the greatest publicity stunt in Hollywood history. After Judd’s appearance, every actress from the state knew that if she was going to make it, she needed her own hockey poster moment. Rebecca Gayheart, Leah Lail, the Costello twins (Julie and Shawnie), model Kylie Bax, and Miss USA Tara Conner all owe a bit of their popularity to Mr. Ward.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Thursday, October 22, 2009

John Wall Potentially Ineligible


This falls under the category of worst news for your Thursday, but Mary Jo Perino let us know today that the SEC doesn't like, and is questioning John Wall's relationship with an agent. From what she says, as long as he pays the money/benefits back, he could only be suspended for 10% of this season's schedule.

Apparently, John Wall's AAU coach was an agent for a year under FIBA (the international governing body of basketball). The NCAA equates this relationship as Wall accepting benefits/money from said agent, even if there was no actual monetary exchange. Ladies and gentlemen, the NCAA!

The University has been aware of this issue for quite some time, so its not news to them or the SEC. There has simply been a delay with a few amateurism issues for Wall and incoming Mississippi State frosh Renardo Sidney.

Well, we had a good year.

Happy Thursday!

ESPN - Wall eligibility issue

October 22nd: On this date...

... in 1977, your University of Kentucky Wildcats gave the Prince of Wales his first American football experience. Kentucky played Georgia in Athens while the Prince was stateside. At halftime, Prince Charles was able to meet Kentucky All-American Art Still and head coach Fran Curci. When the Prince came upon the 6'6" Still, he said, “You’re a tall one aren’t you?” Big Blue ultimately destroyed the Bulldogs that day, 33-0, and finished the 1977 season with a 10-1 record. Curci, who coached the Cats for nine seasons, is still the longest tenured coach in program history to this day.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Kiss the Baby

October 21st: On this date...


... in 2007, following a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of the almighty Tim Tebow and Florida, your University of Kentucky Wildcats remained in the top 15 in each of the four main college football polls. This meant Kentucky would be in the top 25 polls for its sixth consecutive week, its longest streak in 30 years. The release from UK noted:

#14 AP poll (previous #8)
#15 ESPN/USA Today (previous #13)
#15 Harris Interactive (previous #11
#14 BCS standings (previous #7)

Kentucky was 6-2 on the season, 2-2 in the hardest division of the hardest conference in college football. Those rankings and previous rankings are mind-boggling.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Legs, Volleyball on ESPNU

The #7 ranked Kentucky Volleyball team will take on Tennessee in Memorial Coliseum Wednesday night and the game will be airing on ESPNU. The Cats are 19-1 on the season and this will be the first live broadcast of a UK Volleyball match by the ESPN family of networks from Memorial.

UK students can receive a Wildcat bracelet upon entry allowing them to see the student only Kentucky basketball practice on October 23rd.

Game time: Wednesday @ 7:04pm

Go Cats.

October 20th: On this date...


... in 2007, ESPN College Gameday made its first appearance in Lexington, KY, for the SEC clash between 8th ranked Kentucky and 14th ranked Florida (read that sentence again). Coming off a triple-overtime 43-37 upset of #1 LSU the previous week in Commonwealth Stadium, the football Cats were once again the center of the college football universe. The most popular college preview show in history chose the northwest side of the massive William T. Young Library to set up shop for the day. They were greeted by a gigantic audience and scholars maintain it was the loudest group of people ever assembled in one place (in the history of the world). The Gators would ultimately win the shootout 45-37 with a Tim Tebow rushing touchdown with 1:30 remaining in the fourth quarter. Andre Woodson finished the game 35-50 for 415 yards and 5 touchdowns. Stevie Johnson and Dicky Lyons, Jr., both had eight catches for well over 100 yards a piece. A brave and proud effort from a program that was clearly on the rise.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Monday, October 19, 2009

October 19th: On this date...

... in 2002, Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Cats to victory in Fayetteville, 29-17. The win pushed Kentucky’s record to 5-2 on the year. Two touchdowns in a 29-second span in the third quarter keyed the Cats, who trailed 10-9 at half. Mike Williams picked off Arkansas quarterback Matt Jones in the first play of the third quarter, then Artose Pinner scored on the next play to give Big Blue a 16-10 lead. Derek Abney’s 86-yard punt return for a touchdown put the lead out of reach. Pinner ended the game with 71 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown. Aaron Boone led Kentucky wideouts with 102 yards on 7 catches.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Sunday, October 18, 2009

October 18th: On this date...

... in 2003, backup quarterback Shane Boyd did a bit of everything as Kentucky blasted Ohio 35-14 in Lexington. Starter Jared Lorenzen was taken out of the game after two fumbles in the first quarter. Boyd entered in relief and went on to have touchdown scoring runs of 8 and 12 yards, a 42-yard touchdown pass to Tommy Cook, and a 30-yard touchdown reception from Lorenzen. J-Load actually had two touchdown passes in the final 10:07, the other to Derek Abney giving him 74 for his collegiate career, tying him with Tim Couch for the school record. Shane Boyd ended the game with 189 total yards.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Remember Kids. Don't Drink and Walk.

via Deadspin:

John Wall in the Layup Windmill Line

October 17th: On this date...

... in 2000, in a futuristic endeavor, the University of Kentucky sold 700 tickets online to Big Blue Madness, selling out in 13 minutes. This was the first time in Big Blue Madness history that tickets were offered over the Interwebs. The remaining 8,000 or so were sold at ticket counters and were gone in 10 minutes. The theme of Big Blue Madness 2000 was Survivor: Outhustle, Outplay, Outlast, a takeoff of the popular CBS hit reality show that chronicled the everyday struggles of a nude middle-aged white man who wandered up and down the beach and later evaded the IRS. Whoa, bet they wish they could have that one back.

Note: This event actually took place on October 13, 2000, but no one knows any different. Continue to spout this knowledge throughout the office as if it is your own.


Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Friday, October 16, 2009

Just a Lil' Comeback

October 16th: On this date...

... in 2009, the day we've all been waiting for has arrived. See above.

and

... in 1999, Derek Homer scored two touchdowns, Anthony White had 133 total yards, and Dusty Bonner threw for 294 yards as Kentucky manhandled LSU 31-5 in Commonwealth Stadium. The win was the third straight for the Wildcats and moved them to 5-2 on the 1999 season. The Kentucky defense, anchored by Harrodsburg native Dennis Johnson, gave up only 227 yards of total offense. It was the first time in head coach Hal Mumme’s 30 games that his team had not given up a touchdown. Halfway through the fourth quarter up 26 points, Hal Mumme ran a fake punt on a fourth-and-22 from the UK 42 yard line. Upback A.J. Simon hit tight end Derek Smith for 23 yards and a first down. I’m guessing the Karma Gods were looking on and waiting for the right time to repay us. Need I say more?

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Keepin' It Real In The Ville

Only because leadership comes from the top, today we learn from Rick Pitino that the two "leaders" from the basketball team who were arrested this weekend will go unpunished. But if you are to believe Pitino, they're being punished, probably in the most extreme way possible. You'll simply never know how and please don't ask.

I'm sure its the media's fault these "leaders" resisted arrest. Either that, or the fault of the 9/11 terrorists. Either way, I'm sure these two basketball O.G.'s will be punished the only way The Ville knows how: allow them to skip class.

If this doesn't cement the stereotype that lil' bro is a fraudulent University, I don't know what will. The only thing left for Ricky to do to resolve this situation is to allow Derrick Caracter back on the team. The only crime left for The Ville to complete this year is to slang crack next to an elementary school.

Then again. We still have two and a half months until 2010.

Go Cats.

October 15th: On this date...

... in 1982, when Joe B Hall decided he needed to get some exposure for his potentially great team, he used a trick that Lefty Drissell conducted about a decade earlier by introducing “Midnight Special”. It would be a practice at midnight the first day the NCAA would let each college to start their yearly practicing. The practice would allow allow Big Blue Nation to come see player introductions and meet the team before the 1982-83 season. Just over 8,500 fans would attend the worldly event in the 12,000-seat Memorial Coliseum. Although the name would change and later be copyrighted, the “Big Blue Madness” seed had been planted and has grown exponentially ever since.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

This is the only footage from that night:

Morgan Newton Era To Begin This Weekend

So says Larry Vaught. This was the only choice to make. There will be a learning curve, but the future is now after the unfortunate injury to Mike Hartline.

You could beat around the bush with Will Fidler all you want, but we all know Newton gives us as good a chance to win without Hartline. If he's going to beat the likes of Eastern and Louisiana-Monroe, letting him see the game speed at Auburn will be a good pop quiz.

Rich Brooks sure is going to great lengths to try and upstage the upcoming basketball season, eh?

Go Cats.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

October 14th: On this date...

... in 2006, Rick Brooks hit his trigger point when his Wildcats fell 49-0 to LSU in Baton Rouge. This ended up being a seminal moment in Rich Brooks’ coaching career as the 2006 football Cats had the kind of roster many fans felt could compete with the powerhouses in the SEC. Dwayne Bowe caught 6 passes for 111 yards and 3 touchdowns to move into second place on LSU’s all-time receiving touchdown list. Andre Woodson end the game 14-37 for 145 yards. The Tigers outgained the Cats 546-227 in total yards. This embarrassing outcome was followed up by a 4-1 record for the remainder of 2006, getting our boys to a 7-5 record. The 7 wins were enough to a earn Kentucky a bowl bid, the Music City Bowl in Nashville against Clemson.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Below is the only video from that day:

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Kentucky-Auburn Preview

October 13th: On this date...

... in 2007, your University of Kentucky Wildcats pulled an upset of epic proportions, slaying #1 LSU in triple overtime, 43-37. Andre Woodson found Stevie Johnson all alone for the go-ahead seven yard touchdown and Braxton Kelley made the tackle of his collegiate career on LSU running back Charles Scott to end the game. The Cats had been stifled for most of the day by the top-ranked LSU defense, but scored 13 straight points late in the game to tie it at 27. One of the most forgotten people of this day was kicker Lones Seiber. As critical as Big Blue Nation has been of him, he stepped up to make some huge kicks that Saturday. Andre Woodson completed 21 of 38 for 250 yards and 4 total touchdowns (1 rushing). Not only did it tell the country Kentucky football had to be taken seriously, it more importantly gave our fans the same feeling. This date will go down in Kentucky lore as one of, if not the greatest day in our programs history. It was the first win vs. #1 team since 1964. I’ll let the highlights speak for themselves.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach


Monday, October 12, 2009

October 12th: On this date...


... in 1999, the University of Kentucky decided it would broadcast Midnight Madness online for those who would not be able to attend in person. This would be the second consecutive year the FANSOnly Network and WKYT would team together to broadcast the event, as over 2,100 fans watched the 1998 Madness online. The self-anointed “America’s Team of the Century” was coming off a 1999 season which they fell seven points short of their fourth consecutive Final Four appearance. The 1999-2000 version of the Cats included senior Jamaal Magloire, sophomore Tayshaun Prince, and freshman Keith Bogans.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Sunday, October 11, 2009

October 11th: On this date...


... in 2001, the University of Kentucky would celebrate the anniversary of its 20th Midnight/Big Blue Madness. Former Kentucky head coach Joe B. Hall started Midnight Madness at UK in 1982, trying to provide some excitement for his 1982-83 squad. They invited fans to come by and take part in team introductions at 12:01am on the first official day of practice the NCAA would allow. It was called Midnight Special back in 1982 and 8,500 fans came to Memorial Coliseum for the show. The evolution of Midnight Madness has grown at epic proportions over the past 25+ years into a phenomenon. The theme of the October 11, 2001, reverted back to Midnight Special, also celebrating Tayshaun Prince’s last Midnight Madness. All 8,500 tickets would be sold out within an hour through online and window purchasing.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Saturday, October 10, 2009

October 10th: On this date...


... in 2002, new Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart tried to start his tenure off with a bang by announcing plans for a year long celebration marking its 100th anniversary of organized basketball. As many will remember, it featured Mr. Wildcat jumping out of a birthday cake at Big Blue Madness. The logo to the top would be a staple to the 2002-03 basketball season. Events, promotions, and reunions would be a part of each home game. The logo made its national television debut during NASCAR’s NAPA 500 in Atlanta. Lexington-based company Valvoline displayed the logo on the hood of Johnny Benson’s #72 car during the October 27th race. The UK Radio Network would also rebroadcast the top 10 greatest games beginning December 29th for 10 consecutive nights. Other promotions included Pepsi making a special 100th Anniversary can with top 10 moments on each can and McDonald’s distributing a commemorative poster.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Friday, October 9, 2009

October 9th: On this date...

... in 2009, marks the 100th Anniversary of the Wildcat nickname for your University of Kentucky. After a hard fought 6-2 victory at Illinois, Commandant Carbusier, then head of the old military department at State University, told a group of students in a chapel service that the Kentucky football team had “fought like Wildcats” to pull out the victory. The nickname became synonymous with the University immediately following the game. As time went by, more and more fans, along with members of the media referred to their team as “Wildcats”. As a result of this trend, the nickname was officially adopted by the University.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Big East Preview? Let's go to Lexington!


So says Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com. Obviously the Big East, the toughest basketball conference in the history of the world, runs through Lexington. What's that? Yeah I don't understand it either. But Jeff Goodman knows the two best games in the Big East this year are UCONN vs. Kentucky and Louisville vs. Kentucky. If this doesn't give the SEC some legitimacy, I don't know what will.

If the biggest games of your conferences year come against an NIT team with a new coach, I'm guessing your not the most formidable conference on the planet anymore, no?

One question. Have you really wrapped your head around what we have this year as a basketball team yet? Me either.

Saving the World One App at a Time

October 8th: On this date...


... in 1999, Dusty Bonner led your University of Kentucky Wildcats to a 30-10 victory over Lou Holtz’s South Carolina Gamecocks. Bonner threw a touchdown and ran for another in the 20-point victory in Columbia. The win extended the Gamecocks Division I losing streak to 16. The Kentucky quarterback finished 23-34 for 263 yards and the two total touchdowns. It was only the second time Bonner has been held to less than three touchdown passes during the ‘99 season. The Cats moved to 4-2 on the year, even with the SEC’s worst defense. Tight end James Whalen added nine catches for 119 yards. The Big Blue defense stepped it up this day and had given up only 78 yards of offense until South Carolina scored on a bomb with 9:00 left in the game.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Hey, Haven't I Seen You Before?

Why yes you have. To the untrained eye, that Coach Cal's special guest for the women's clinic held at the Craft Center, ESPN's Jeannine Edwards! No word on whether or not she asked any bad questions. Jeannine was a great sport while interviewing Coach Cal at the Derby and Big Blue Nation thanks her for that.

Before:


After:

October 7th: On this date...


... in 1995, preseason magazines unanimously have the Kentucky Wildcats as the #1 basketball team in the land. The 1995 season had ended with a hard fought loss to North Carolina in the Regional Finals, where the most memorable moment was a semi-fight between Andre Riddick and Carolina’s Rasheed Wallace. But the vast majority of the team would be coming back, along with super-freshman Ron Mercer. The senior leadership included: Tony Delk, Walter McCarty, and Mark Pope. Antoine Walker was a ridiculously skilled sophomore. Transfer Derek Anderson would be eligible to suit up, giving the Cats arguably the deepest team in the college basketball history. The Sporting News and ESPN the Magazine were the only two publications who did not have Kentucky #1. They chose Kansas instead. Call me crazy, but I’m seeing more than a few similarities between the 1995-96 Cats and the upcoming 2009-10 Cats. Just saying.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

October 6th: On this date...


... in 2001, (give or take a day) a new era was born for the Big Blue Radio Network as Mike Pratt replaced Sam Bowie as the color commentator for Kentucky basketball games alongside Tom Leach. He might be best known to today’s generation as the guy who helped secure John Calipari as the Wildcats most recent head coach. To the generation before, though, Mike Pratt was best known as a gifted scorer and member of the University of Kentucky basketball team. He played for Adolph Rupp from 1968-70, was a two-time All-SEC performer, a two-time Academic All-SEC member, and a part of Kentucky’s most exclusive 1,000 point club. He played alongside Kentucky legend Dan Issel and averaged 19.2 points per game when the Cats finished 26-2, and ended the regular season as the nation’s top ranked team. Pratt was also a member of the ABA’s Kentucky Colonel team for two years.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Monday, October 5, 2009

October 5th: On this date...

... in 1929, the University of Kentucky became one of the first institutions to play an intercollegiate football game at night. The setting was Stoll Field/McLean Stadium across the street from current day Memorial Coliseum. The Cats defeated Maryville 40-0 to get off to a positive start in night football. Night games would later become a staple of the Kentucky fall schedule. The University and Keeneland Race Course have enjoyed a close relationship over the years, and both agreed the best way to maximize exposure would be to give the fans a chance to go to both. A decision that has led to some very fun times for the Big Blue Nation over the years. The October month is also one of the most popular for SEC fans to make the trek to Lexington. The fall Keeneland/UK night game combo is a fan favorite for everyone in the South.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Sunday, October 4, 2009

October 4th: On this date...


... in 1997, my hometown friend Craig Yeast made one of the most memorable catch-and-runs in Kentucky Wildcat football history when he caught a pass and raced 26 yards for the game-winning touchdown against Alabama. This was the first victory over Alabama since 1922..........read that again........75 years between victories. It also marked the first time in history the goal posts at Commonwealth Stadium had come down. The goal posts were carried around campus that Saturday night and gave birth to a whole new generation of Kentucky football fans. In the overtime, Tremayne Martin caused a fumble and Jeremy Bowie recovered to set up the memorable Couch to Yeast game-winner. Yeast came to the sidelines and demanded Hal Mumme throw him the ball, a story that can only grow as time passes. This game was recently named as the #3 most memorable football game in program history by the Herald-Leader’s Mark Story.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach


Saturday, October 3, 2009

October 3rd: On this date...

... in 2008, former Kentucky head football coach Bill Curry was named the recipient of the President Gerald R. Ford Legends Center Award. To be eligible for the award, the recipient must have either played the center position in college or as a professional and made extraordinary contributions to his team during his playing career. Whether or not you agreed with his play calling as the University of Kentucky head coach, you have to give it up to the man for being an outstanding football mind and a great football ambassador. He played in three Super Bowls and two Pro Bowls and was the center for such greats as Bart Starr and Johnny Unitas. He played under coaching greats Vince Lombardi, Don Shula, and Bobby Dodd.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Friday, October 2, 2009

October 2nd: On this date...

... in 1999, Kentucky’s much maligned defense help key an upset of #20 Arkansas at Commonwealth Stadium. The defense forced three turnovers in what would become the first victory over a Top 25 team since 1993. Through the first four weeks of the 1999 campaign, the Wildcat defense had given up an average of 393 yards and 36 points per game. Defensive coordinator Mike Major held a Friday night meeting and showed his players an article from Friday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reading, “UK defense may be cure for UA’s ills.” The power of telling college kids how crappy they are can never be underestimated. Dusty Bonner completed 19-31 passes for 252 yards and four touchdowns to key the Wildcat offense. The defense was led with interceptions by Marlon McCree and Anthony Wajda, ten tackles by Jeff Snedegar, six pass break ups by Eric Kelly, and a blocked field goal by Harrodsburg-native Dennis Johnson.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Thursday, October 1, 2009

October 1st: On this date...

... in 2007, the pollsters advanced your University of Kentucky Wildcats to #8 in the most recent AP and ESPN/USA Today Top 25 rankings. This was the highest ranking for the football Cats in 30 years. The last time Kentucky was in the Top 10 was as the season ended in 1977, occupying the #6 spot. The 5-0, (1-0 SEC) start was the best start since 1984, also a 5-0 start. The Wildcats were 10-1 in the last 11 games dating back to 2006, the best stretch since the 10-1 record in 1977. They were halfway rewarded with a Thursday night ESPN game at #11 South Carolina (4-1). It ended up being a missed opportunity on a national stage as Eric Norwood frustrated Andre Woodson all night. Norwood tied an NCAA mark by returning two fumbles for touchdowns. The win pushed Steve Spurrier’s all-time record to 15-0 against the Cats. Woodson ended with 227 yards passing, while Rafael Little added a fifth 100-yard game in six games, finishing with 135 yards rushing in Columbia.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach