COACHING
Head Coach: Guy Morriss
(Career Rec: 2-9)
Offensive Coordinator: Brent Pease
Defensive Coordinator: John Goodner
2001 Record: 2-9 overall (1-7 SEC)
2001 SEC/NCAA STATS RANKINGS
Total Offense: 7th / 56th (382.8)
Rushing Offense: 12th / 100th (107.3)
Passing Offense: 3rd / 19th (275.5)
Scoring Offense: 9th / 80th (23.5)
Total Defense:11th / 109th (475.4)
Rushing Defense: 10th / 80th (178.0)
Pass Efficiency Defense: 11th / 111th (154.0)
Scoring Defense: 11th / 98th (33.4)
2002 SCHEDULE
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Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen completed 167-of-292 passes for 2,179 yards with 19 TDs and seven interceptions during the 2001 season but needs more consistency for the Cats to be successful. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke) |
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Sept. 1 at Louisville
Sept. 7 TEXAS-EL PASO
Sept. 14 INDIANA
Sept. 21 MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Sept. 28 at Florida
Oct. 12 SOUTH CAROLINA
Oct. 19 at Arkansas
Oct. 26 GEORGIA
Nov. 2 at Mississippi State
Nov. 9 LSU
Nov. 16 VANDERBILT
Nov. 30 at Tennessee
STARTERS RETURNING
Offense (6):
LG Jason Rollins (6-5, 277, So.)
C Nick Seitze (6-5, 274, Jr.)
RT Antonio Hall (6-5, 302, Jr.)
WR/RS Derek Abney (5-10, 176, Jr.)
WR Tommy Cook (6-0, 190, So.)
*QB Jared Lorenzen (6-4, 275, Jr.)
Defense (4):
DT Dewayne Robertson (6-3, 314, Jr.)
*S David Johnson (6-0, 207, Sr.)
CB Derrick Tatum (6-0, 190, Sr.)
CB Leonard Burress (5-11, 186, Jr.)
* All-Star Candidates
Kentucky Roster
TEAM STRENGTHS
Defensive line, quarterback, punter
TEAM QUESTION MARKS
defensive secondary, offesive line depth.
KEY GAME
September 1 at Louisville. Last year the Wildcats were embarrassed on their homefield. Another bad showing against their in-state rivals could put Morriss on the hot seat quick and lead to a demoralizing effect on the team.
HEAD COACHES COMMENTS
"Our front seven are going to be tough and experienced. They will hold our defensive unit together. I am concerned and about the youth in the secondary, however. If the secondary can weather the storm in some of the early games and gain some confidence we will be alright."
VandyMania Projection
In Guy Morris' first year at the helm the Wildcats finished 2-9 (1-7 SEC). Kentucky's only wins were over Ball State and Vanderbilt. UK ranked third in total offense (456.2 ypg) while averaging 29.8 points per game. To improve in 2002 the Cats will need to get better on defense. The Wildcats showed signs of life late last season, giving Tennessee (38-35 loss) and Mississippi State good fights. Expect Kentucky to be improved overall in 2002. The scores will be much closer but don't expect more than 4 or 5 wins. The Cats still can't match other SEC programs player for player other than Vandy. UK should finish no higher than 5th in the SEC East.