• Lineman plans on returning to UK    MILLER LEFT TEAM UNEXPECTEDLY    Kentucky's beleaguered offensive line will get some much-needed help next fall. Former starting left tackle Aaron Miller said this week that he will re-enroll at UK in January and suit up for the Wildcats in 2006.
• UK takes needed stress reliever    Cats block out problems with light hearted practice    The 2005 season hasn't produced much fun for the University of Kentucky's football team, so the players decided yesterday to create their own fun.
• UK sophomore does Little bit of everything    Wildcats coach says tailback 'a playmaker'    Rafael Little has been on the football field so much for the University of Kentucky this season that sometimes coach Rich Brooks loses track.

• California point guard picks UK    Kentucky has gone to its California connection to land a coveted high school point guard.
• California point guard commits to Cats    RIVALS.COM RANKS JASPER 35TH IN CLASS    A day after one guard prospect chose another school, Kentucky landed a backcourt commitment of its own. Derrick Jasper, a 6-foot-5 guard from Paso Robles, Calif., committed to the Cats yesterday, the player's AAU coach said. The commitment came a day after another point guard, Willie Kemp of Bolivar, Tenn., committed to Memphis.
• 6-4 guard commits to 'Cats    A day after the University of Kentucky lost out on one point guard, Willie Kemp, it got a commitment from another, Derrick Jasper.

• Opinions vary about Brooks    During Chester Ford's playing career at Tennessee, he never lost to the Kentucky football team. However, the former Danville all-state lineman is now a supporter of Kentucky coach Rich Brooks and his staff as he continues to read and hear mounting fan unrest over UK's season. Ford says it is unfair to blame coaches for the rash of injuries Kentucky has had.
• Little, UK Return Game Featured Prominently in National Statistics    Versatile running back Rafael Little and the Kentucky punt and kick returners are featured prominently in this week’s national statistics released by the NCAA.
• Jones a potential two-way threat    TRUE FRESHMAN CORNERBACK MIGHT PLAY RECEIVER SOMEDAY    Every now and then, an athlete shows up on campus who has the offensive and defensive coaches jockeying for position. That was the case with Keenan Burton when he arrived at Kentucky three years ago, as the UK coaching staff went back and forth on whether to play Burton at wide receiver or defensive back before settling him at wideout.

       Volleyball 

• UK Volleyball Makes First SEC Road Trip    Coming off an impressive 3-1 win over Alabama last Sunday, the Kentucky volleyball team embarks on its first Southeastern Conference road trip of the season this weekend. The Wildcats will face Georgia at 7 p.m. Friday in Athens, Ga., and No. 5 Florida at 1:30 p.m. Sunday in Gainesville, Fla.

• Cats turn attention to Georgia guard    MEEKS ENTERS PICTURE AFTER KEMP SPURNS UK    Basketball prospect Willie Kemp committed to Memphis yesterday. Kentucky, which got a campus visit from the Bolivar, Tenn., guard last weekend, did not even finish second in that recruiting race.
• Smith pursues Georgia prep guard    The University of Kentucky's search for another guard from this year's high school seniors has led coach Tubby Smith to Norcross, Ga.

• Teams keeping an eye on Tamme    After a dominating spring practice, sophomore Jacob Tamme was supposed to be Kentucky's next star.
• Brooks continues tradition of SEC futility   FEW CATS COACHES HAD LEAGUE SUCCESS      Random notes: Only John "We Believe" Ray started his UK tenure with less success against conference foes than current Cats Coach Rich Brooks.
• University of Kentucky Football Notebook     Cats will take off week to heal     The University of Kentucky will spend its off week working on itself rather than its next opponent, South Carolina.
• Problems mounting for UK football    Coach Rich Brooks began his Kentucky-Florida postgame press conference on Saturday with the injury report.

• Brown commits to Cats    Christian Co. star UK women's third recruit    Pat Summitt called from Tennessee more than once. Nearly every coach from every big-name program called more than once. Arnika Brown just wanted the ringing to stop. She wanted to make a decision.

• Salute or shell game? UK stays busy    SCHOOL'S ON-FIELD RECOGNIZING LOOKS LIKE DISGUISING    Say this for a University of Kentucky home football game. It's busier than the Atlanta airport on a Friday evening. Why, if you didn't know better, you'd swear the game-management strategy of UK at UK football games is to come up with as many diversions as possible to take the minds of the paying customers off of, well, UK football.

• Cats prospect Kemp undecided    Basketball guard prospect Willie Kemp intended to make his college choice yesterday, the day after he returned to his Bolivar, Tenn., home after an official recruiting visit to Kentucky. But the top-50 national prospect couldn't bring himself to choose among his final four schools: Kentucky, Memphis, Tennessee and Arkansas.
• Recruit wants time to make his choice    Deciding where to go to college wasn't as simple as Willie Kemp thought it would be so he hopes to have a decision by the end of this week.

• Kentucky at South Carolina Set for 1 p.m.    The Kentucky at South Carolina game on Sat. Oct. 8 has been set for a 1 p.m. kickoff in Columbia’s Williams-Brice Stadium. The game was not selected for live telecast ... The UK JV team will play Hargrave Military this Friday at 1 p.m. at Commonwealth Stadium.
• Wildcats can use time off    Sometimes a coach and team might not want to have an open week during the season. For Kentucky, this week's open date might be the best thing that has happened to the Wildcats all season.
• October gives UK chance to regroup    TWO OPEN DATES WILL HELP WITH INJURIES, MATURATION    Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks hasn't had much go right for him this season, but at least the scheduling gods were somewhat kind.
• Weekend produces new kind of storms    MUMME, PETRINO, CATS LOOKING FOR SHELTER    We didn't need a meteorological Category 5 to experience a wild gridological weekend. From Friday night's late-night peek at Hurricane Hal, through Saturday's first-half blowout, carrying gusts up to scary speeds at Commonwealth Stadium, through Saturday night's surprise pop-up lightning strike at Tampa, there were plenty of weather-changing events.

• Top point guard to reveal choice today     After taking his fourth and final official visit, Willie Kemp isn't wasting any time in deliberating what college he will attend.

• Wildcats defense has few answers    Muhammad Abdullah doesn't blame Kentucky fans for leaving early.
• Highlights rare for UK offense    When Kentucky held Florida on its opening series and Jacob Tamme found a seam to block Eric Wilber's punt, Kentucky had a short field to grab their first lead since coming from behind to defeat Idaho State two weeks ago.
• No. 5 Gators rough up Wildcats     It started off well enough for the University of Kentucky. Tight end Jacob Tamme blocked a punt on Florida's opening possession, setting up a UK touchdown. And for about four minutes Commonwealth Stadium roared and the Wildcats actually led the No. 5 Gators without the aid of a crafty scoreboard operator.
• 30-MINUTE DELIVERY    Gators' rout takes one half; Cats show up late   Florida reeled off seven straight touchdowns and dominated the first half, outgaining Kentucky 437-69 in total offense. The Wildcats fought back in the second half, holding the Gators scoreless and showing some offensive life.
• Fans' early exits bothering Kentucky players     Andre Woodson might be hurt, but he's not blind.    ``It's discouraging. We know the fans come here to watch us and root us on. People don't understand how hard we work,'' Woodson said. ``Some people don't understand that we are working hard and we don't want to lose. We want to win just as bad as they want us to win.''
• First half of horrors dooms UK Gators build 49-7 halftime lead, win 19th straight vs. Cats, 49-28 University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks was being sarcastic last week when he muttered, "Gonna have fun now, guys." Any fun the Wildcats might have enjoyed yesterday came well after the outcome was decided in a 49-28 loss to No. 5-ranked Florida before a crowd of 66,820 at Commonwealth Stadium, many of whom had departed by halftime.
• UK provides hope with fight to finish against Florida    With only a handful of minutes left, the University of Kentucky thrilled the few fans who remained in Commonwealth Stadium with a pair of scoring drives that served only to cut a blowout into half a blowout.
• Let's pretend the first half didn't happen    When you find yourself in dire straits, you grasp at the best straw available. You don't talk about the first half when you were dismembered by the opposition by the spread of 42 points. You talk about the second half when you beat the stuffing out of the opponent's scrubs.
• With Woodson injured, Pulley scores two TDs     Andre' Woodson, the University of Kentucky's starting quarterback, was forced to leave his team's 49-28 loss to Florida yesterday in the fourth quarter because of soreness near his ribs.
• Big Blue faithful take it outside    UK PARKING LOT SITE OF UNOFFICIAL PROTEST    It was a scene familiar to any big-time college football stadium. Masses of people rolled out of the Commonwealth Stadium exits. Some raced directly for their cars.
• Gators roll to 19th straight win over Cats Wildcats    Leak throws four TD passes    University of Florida coach Urban Meyer wasn't pleased with the Gators' execution of his spread-option offense during their first three games.

       Volleyball 

• Kentucky Volleyball Shocks Alabama, 3-1     Three Kentucky players registered double-digit kills Sunday, led by senior Amy Kaplan’s 16, as the Wildcats broke a 13-match Alabama win streak with a 3-1 (30-21, 30-26, 26-30, 30-28) Southeastern Conference victory in Memorial Coliseum.

• Madness Ticket Distribution Set For Oct. 1     Tickets for the first Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena will be available Saturday, Oct. 1, at 8 a.m., at the Memorial Coliseum ticket office, online at UKathletics.com, and at all Kentucky-area TicketMaster outlets.
• good things come in threes   Separate pre-season polls put Cats and Rondo at third    It's the time of year when predictions and projections herald the approach of another basketball season. For Kentucky, "three" is an eye-catching number both individually and collectively.

• No. 5 Florida Holds Off Kentucky     The fifth-ranked Florida Gators scored seven unanswered touchdowns in the first half and held off a second half rally by Kentucky as they went on to defeat the Wildcats, 49-28, Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium.
• 3 years later, Archer would still say yes    PROBATION HAS MADE 2ND TOUR TOUGHER THAN HE EXPECTED    The job is harder than he thought it would be. If Mike Archer had it to do over, he'd take the job anyway. In fact, UK's defensive coordinator anticipates the question before it's asked. He knows where you're going. He gave up a good job; six years as linebackers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Speculation had him in position for a possible NFL coordinator's job.
• For Meyer, defense is no Urban legend Toughened Gators to tangle with Cats For all the talk of Urban Meyer's glitzy, cutting-edge offense that short-circuited scoreboards and stole the guts of defensive coordinators, the first-year Florida football coach is quickly establishing a new calling card.
• Cats hope to play with fire and not get burned     23-POINT UNDERDOGS CAN'T BE FLAT WITH GATORS    Some Kentucky players say overconfidence was the problem last week against Indiana. Others say the team just came out flat. Whether UK fell victim to being fat cats or flat cats, it's an issue that better be fixed by this afternoon.
• Meyer says No. 5 Gators not looking past Cats    Florida hasn't lost to the University of Kentucky since 1986 and a good number of those football games have been lopsided, with scores like 73-17, 42-7, 65-0 and 44-10.
• Florida offense Left tackle 74 Randy Hand 6-6 310 Sr. 78 Michael Brown 6-4 295 Fr. Left guard 76 Tavares Washington 6-4 320 Sr. 70 Ronnie Wilson 6-4 310 Fr.
• No. 5 Florida (3-0) at Kentucky (1-2)     Florida hasn't lost to Kentucky since 1986, and a good number of those football games have been lopsided, with scores like 73-17, 42-7, 65-0 and 44-10.
• Tamme not happy with production     The Kentucky offense was basically Rafael Little or bust in last week's 38-14 blowout loss to Indiana last week. The natural reaction would be to try to get more people involved, but injuries have limited Kentucky's options.
• GAMES WITHIN THE GAME     While most people see Florida snacking on Kentucky this afternoon, the sandwich connotation has nothing to do with the Gators' lunch menu.

• Everywhere to run    Cats' run defense ranks last in SEC, 106th in nation    The Kentucky defense has made it pretty easy on opposing offensive coordinators. No need for fancy game-planning or trying to make yourself look like a genius. The blueprint is simple.
• Cats need to find tight end to revive offense Rich Brooks normally keeps a tight rein on his compliments, but when preseason conversations turned to tight end Jacob Tamme, the University of Kentucky's reserved football coach couldn't hide his optimism.
• Chance to make history has Wildcats fired up    Perhaps losing to Indiana last week might not have been as bad if the University of Kentucky had played with some emotion.
• UK's most optimistic fan guarantees victory, again    The knights have not yet gone to the joust a fourth time -- but doom, gloom, impending ruin already hang heavy over the Kingdom. When the Gainesville Gladiators come to Lexington on Saturday, one frets that, deep down, not even the contestants representing the Kingdom of the Blue really believe they can win.
• The 'Book    Say goodbye to Guarantee U. and the Directional Michigans. Conference play arrives in earnest this weekend and, like cops raiding Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch, it's time to separate the men from the boys.

• Wildcats Drop League Opener to Auburn     The Kentucky volleyball team held significant leads in each game Friday, but the Wildcats squandered their advantages in a 3-0 (30-28, 30-26, 30-20) loss to Auburn in their Southeastern Conference opener in Memorial Coliseum.

• UK Notebook: Tennessee guard Kemp to visit Cats    Tennessee point guard Willie Kemp sees Rajon Rondo as a reason he would want to come to Kentucky instead of a reason to look somewhere else to play.

• Kentucky vs. Florida Game Day Information     Click to find the information you'll need for this Saturday's football game versus the Florida Gators. The game is set for kickoff at 3:30 p.m. ET at Commonwealth Stadium.
• Cats don't cower in Gators' shadow    The fact that UK hasn't beat Florida in 18 years - or the Gators' new No. 5 national ranking - isn't discouraging UK's preparation for Saturday's game.
• Abren Might Play; Smith Doubtful     There was good news and bad news on the injury front today as Coach Rich Brooks announced that defensive tackle Ricky Abren might play Saturday against Florida, but cornerback Bo Smith was doubtful for the game.
• No. 5 Florida gets it done with defense    BROOKS HOPES CATS' OFFENSE IS ABLE TO FIND SOME HOLES AGAINST GATORS    When you think Florida football, you typically think offense, offense, offense. Steve Spurrier. The Fun 'n' Gun. Danny Wuerffel. Speedy receivers.
• Gators 3-0, but still looking for heat     Urban Meyer was on fire. The spread offense he ran at Utah was all the rage a year ago. Quarterback Alex Smith threw for 2,952 yards and 32 touchdowns, rushed for 631 and 10 more scores. The Utes went 12-0. Smith was fourth in the Heisman balloting, first in the NFL Draft.
• UK's Smith might miss Florida game    University of Kentucky cornerback Bo Smith will undergo further testing on his injured right shoulder today and could miss the Wildcats' home game Saturday against Florida.
• Wildcats are going nowhere fast    Rock bottom. That is where you can currently find the University of Kentucky football program.

       Volleyball 

• Volleyball Opens SEC Play Friday Against Auburn    The Kentucky volleyball team opens Southeastern Conference play this weekend as it hosts a pair of matches with Auburn and Alabama in Memorial Coliseum. The Wildcats host the Tigers at 7 p.m. Friday and face the Crimson Tide at 1:30 p.m. Sunday in a contest televised locally by WKYT-TV/UPN in Lexington.

• Cats worry Todd    If Rich Brooks has been frustrated by the complaints from University of Kentucky football fans following Saturday's 38-14 loss at Indiana, imagine how he must feel now that university president Lee Todd has joined those questioning the team's direction.
• Cats 'ready' to play Florida    Despite their disappointing loss at Indiana last week, Kentucky's players insist they don't feel overwhelmed going into Saturday's nationally televised game here against No. 5 Florida.
• Wildcats hearing the whispers    Like UF's Zook last season, Brooks on hot seat at Kentucky    Last fall, the rumors started in preseason at Florida. Ron Zook was as good as gone.
• McCutchan, Huffman, Jones are Game Captains for Florida     Senior center Matt McCutchan, senior cornerback Antoine Huffman, and freshman cornerback David Jones have been selected as game captains for the Florida game, Coach Rich Brooks has announced.
• Cats have a run-down defense    Indiana University's football coaches thought it was a little outlandish to set a goal of averaging 5 yards per carry against the University of Kentucky's defense.
• No. 5 Gators coping with new identity    Meyer says 'We are a field-position team'    The University of Florida Gators have a new identity, and it's far from the high-scoring, innovative, offensive machine that defined the program since the early 1990s.
• Cats using backup plans    PULLEY LIKELY TO PLAY SOME AT RECEIVER AGAINST FLORIDA    Joker Phillips is not sure how good a wide receiver Curtis Pulley can be, but with the Kentucky football team's injury predicament, he can't afford not to find out.
• Todd 'disappointed' in Wildcats' effort       University of Kentucky President Lee Todd expressed dismay yesterday about the Wildcats' poor performance in Saturday's 38-14 loss at Indiana.
• Injury bug no excuse for lack of spark     Here's your blame game. First it was blame the players. They weren't good enough. Ron Hudson said it, Rich Brooks seconded the motion. Their we-are-what-we-are chorus echoed throughout Kentucky's last two unsuccessful football seasons.
• Todd: Cats need to be more aggressive     University of Kentucky President Lee Todd expressed dismay yesterday about the Wildcats' poor performance in their most recent football game, a 38-14 loss at Indiana.
• Brooks takes sarcasm route     University of Kentucky football fans looking for optimism from coach Rich Brooks must have been sorely disappointed by Monday's news conference

• Good times missing for UK    CATS NEED MORE THAN 2 QUARTERS OF TOP PLAY    We've seen Kentucky actually look like a real football team this season, moving the ball on offense and tackling solidly on defense.
• Now it really starts getting tough for Wildcats    Soured University of Kentucky football fans still seething over the team's 38-14 loss at Indiana on Saturday will forgive and forget on their own timetable.
• Tired of losing, UK fans eager to start musing Brooks is simply not the right head football coach for Kentucky. Never has been. He's just the guy who agreed to take the hit during the NCAA probationary times.
• Barnhart not pushing panic button, yet    AD SAYS IT'S TOO EARLY TO COMMENT ON BROOKS' FUTURE    Like everyone else who watched from the perspective of Kentucky Blue, Mitch Barnhart found Saturday night's UK football disaster in Indiana about as enjoyable as a root canal.
• Reeling Cats prepare to open SEC play    UK hosts No. 5 Florida on Saturday    At 1-2, after a tepid performance in a loss at Indiana and with numerous key players out with injuries, Kentucky's football team could use some good news.
• Wildcats say they were out of focus in ugly loss to Hoosiers Somewhere along interstates 64 or 65 or perhaps in the quaint little town of Nashville, Ind., or maybe just outside of Assembly Hall, the University of Kentucky's football team lost its focus.
• Dennis Johnson refutes Bassett's claims    Dennis Johnson says there's no truth to a recent allegation that his recruitment at the University of Kentucky was part of a package deal to get his older brother a scholarship and his father a job at the university.

• Football Moves on to Prepare for No. 5 Florida     Coach Rich Brooks and selected players spoke to the media Monday about the loss to Indiana, the upcoming game with Florida and dealing with the numerous injuries on the team.
• How could Cats be overconfident?    No one could blame Kentucky coach Rich Brooks for being baffled at a lot of things that happened to his team Saturday at Indiana.
• Wildcats face 'gut check'    The whole nation will get to see the Kentucky football team play Saturday now that CBS has decided to make the UK-Florida game a national telecast.
• Bloomington Blunder: Indiana 38, UK 14    Hoosiers more than double UK's offensive output, drop Cats to 1-2    The flat Cats got flattened.  Indiana ran up 440 yards, including 305 on the ground, as the Hoosiers rolled to a 38-14 win and a 3-0 start to the season. The UK offense managed nine first downs and 217 total yards.
• Murphy's Law applies to Brooks' Cats    AFTER INJURIES AND LETDOWNS, HERE COMES FLORIDA    If you're wondering whether Rich Brooks woke up yesterday morning wondering whether something else could go wrong, he didn't. The Kentucky coach knows better.
• Brooks baffled by UK's struggles    University of Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart didn't ask football coach Rich Brooks to leap tall buildings or magically saw a lady in half.

• IU to Cats: See ya    Kentucky falls flat with SEC approaching    It was evident on the first play from scrimmage when Kentucky tried to spring Curtis Pulley loose on a double-reverse. The freshman, who lined up at wide receiver, got slammed to the turf for an 8-yard loss. We've all seen Kentucky get thrown around before, but hardly ever by Indiana. And last night the Hoosiers kissed the UK series good-bye by routing the Wildcats 38-14 in front of a spirited pro-IU crowd of 40,240 at Memorial Stadium.
• Wildcats KO'd by Hoosiers    IU beats UK for first time since 2001    Indiana University's Chris Taylor ran through big holes and leapt over Kentucky's defenders in the first half Saturday night. Then Blake Powers punished the Wildcats with his precision passing.
• No excuse: No heart, no spirit, no enthusiasm    The comedian David Spade, that Capital One commercial guy, the "The Answer Is Always No" guy, happened to be on hand for pre-game to pump-up-the-crowd last night at Indiana's Memorial Stadium.
• Powers shines in IU win over Kentucky     The yellow buses parked in front of Assembly Hall read Meade County Schools. About a football field's walk away sat Memorial Stadium.
• Envying the Hoosiers: Yes, it's gotten that bad    Through it all, there was always Indiana. Through the cheating. Through the probation. Through the administrative bungling. Through the puzzling coaching hires.
• Will the real UK offense stand up?     OK, so maybe Kentucky's offensive performance in its last game wasn't a fluke after all.
• Cats can't let down before league play     WINNING RECORD ONLY WAY TO BUILD MOMENTUM FOR FLORIDA    The difference between 2-1 and 1-2 is pretty obvious, but for the University of Kentucky, it goes beyond numbers. The Cats' 2005 season has been a two-week roller-coaster ride, with an inspiring performance (against Louisville), an uninspiring one (Idaho State), and a slew of major injuries mixed in.
• IU gets last laugher, 38-14    Indiana University woke up its running game and wore out the University of Kentucky 38-14 last night before 40,240 fans at Memorial Stadium.
• Injuries open doors for some     Sophomore Roger Williams will be in the starting lineup for the first time in his career tonight against Indiana, playing strong safety.
• Let the search begin for UK's next coach     Send me your names. Names of your choice for the next University of Kentucky head football coach. Names of downsized non-conference opponents the Wildcats could schedule and beat. Send me your names. It's time.
• UK never had a chance to climb back into contest     The signs of disgust were everywhere. Normally reserved University of Kentucky running backs coach Ron Caragher threw his hat off and stepped several yards onto the field to shout at Rafael Little after a failed third-and-one.

• Indiana Deals Kentucky 38-14 Loss     Chris Taylor ran for a career-high 176 yards and Blake Powers threw four touchdown passes for Indiana, which ended a three-game losing streak to rival Kentucky with a 38-14 win Saturday.
• Cats can't let down before league play    WINNING RECORD ONLY WAY TO BUILD MOMENTUM FOR FLORIDA    The difference between 2-1 and 1-2 is pretty obvious, but for the University of Kentucky, it goes beyond numbers. The Cats' 2005 season has been a two-week roller-coaster ride, with an inspiring performance (against Louisville), an uninspiring one (Idaho State), and a slew of major injuries mixed in.
• UK takes easy route after rivalry series ends with IU    When Terry Hoeppner left Miami (Ohio) to become the Indiana University football coach last winter, he knew the stories about IU's battered tradition, stubbornly empty seats and shadow existence behind basketball. Hoeppner is the rarest of species, an Indiana football junkie.
• IU game crossroads for Cats' season    LOSS OF BURTON UK'S WORST INJURY    Random notes for a September Saturday: If Kentucky is going to have a hope at having any kind of a season, the Cats need to win today at Indiana. Period.
• Option is no option for Cats    Despite the injuries, the Cats won't abandon the spread attack. They'll just use different ingredients to generate the same look.
• GAMES WITHIN THE GAME     Breaking down today's Kentucky-Indiana game    The two high school rivals will meet one final time in a game that has huge ramifications for both teams. Whoever plays the best will likely put their squad in position to get the win. If you take away the three fumbles in the Louisville game, Woodson has been nearly flawless through two games. Blake Powers has made some mistakes (three interceptions) running Terry Hoeppner's spread offense but has also thrown seven touchdown passes.
• Ex-Kentucky prep star quarterbacks IU    Quarterback Blake Powers still remembers the insults he incurred growing up in Kentucky
• DEPTH CHARTS     Kentucky offense Left tackle 52 Fatu Turituri 6-3 290 Jr. 71 James Alexander 6-5 250 Fr. 76 Ernie Pelayo 6-6 290 Sr. Left guard 72 Michael Aitcheson 6-3 290 Jr.

• Cats Fall to Northwestern at Wildcat Classic    The Kentucky volleyball team fought hard but came up short against a tough Northwestern squad in the title match of the Wildcat Classic in Evanston, Ill., Saturday night. Danielle Wallace and Amy Kaplan earned all-tournament team honors after leading the Wildcats over the three-match event.
• Kaplan Leads Cats to 3-1 Win over SIU     In her final trip back home to Chicago, senior Amy Kaplan put on a show for the home crowd Saturday at the Northwestern Wildcat Classic, guiding Kentucky to a 3-1 win over Southern Illinois. Kaplan had 18 kills on .325 hitting and added five blocks in the victory.
• Wildcats Win Close One With Brown, 3-2    It was a tale of the young and old Friday night in Welsh-Ryan Arena on the campus of Northwestern University, as Kentucky senior Danielle Wallace teamed with redshirt freshman Queen Nzenwa to guide the Wildcats to a hard-fought 3-2 win over Brown. Wallace had 20 kills on .311 hitting, while Nzenwa added 14 kills on .458 hitting for UK.

• Barnhart not all bad during time at UK    Mitch Barnhart's old school plays his new archrival tomorrow. Oregon State comes to Louisville for the Cardinals' home opener, and the game should be a critical early-season gauge for both the underrated visitors and the highly ranked home team.

• Wildcats Travel to Bloomington to Take on Hoosiers     Fresh off its first win of the 2005 season, the University of Kentucky football team travels to Bloomington, Ind., Saturday to face the Indiana Hoosiers. Kickoff is slated for 6:45 p.m. EDT.
• So they meet again    UK-Indiana series finale matches longtime rivals in Woodson, Powers    The way Andre Woodson sees it, he owes one to his old rival Blake Powers. During Woodson's junior year at North Hardin High School, Powers and his Meade County squad strolled onto Woodson's home field and claimed a 14-7 victory in the second round of the 2001 Class 4A playoffs.
• French knew Powers could be special    Larry French won't be in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday night. It's not that the Lincoln County football coach wouldn't like to be there, but he feels he has more than enough to occupy his time with his team here.
• Receiving edge goes to Indiana   Kentucky came into the season believing one of the deepest, most talented positions on its team was receiver. Indiana came into the season wondering if it had any depth at receiver
• Eastern Kentucky to Open 2007 UK Schedule     The University of Kentucky has completed its 2007 football schedule with the addition of in-state foe Eastern Kentucky as the season opener ... Wide receiver Glenn Holt and defensive end B. Jay Parsons returned to practice on Thursday.
•  UK, Eastern will meet in 2007 season-opening game    The University of Kentucky will open its 2007 football season against an in-state opponent after all.
• Wildcats discover huge return from Little    The football games at T.L. Hanna High School in Anderson, S.C., used to be known by another name. "It was 'The Rafael Show.' He did it all," said Scott Parker, who was Little's high school coach. That might soon apply to the University of Kentucky's games as well.
• Couch's brother calls Bassett's claims 'ridiculous'    Greg Couch reacted with derision and disbelief to Claude Bassett's claim that the University of Kentucky recruited a star quarterback with cash and other improper inducements, an apparent reference to Couch's brother Tim.
• Kentucky's Woodson, Meade County's Powers prepare for another friendly faceoff     Their playing days can be traced back to their childhood.
• Cats add Eastern Kentucky to 2007 football schedule    The University of Kentucky has completed its 2007 football schedule with the addition of Eastern Kentucky as the season opener Sept. 1 at home, athletic director Mitch Barnhart said.
• Bassett reports receiving death threat over phone     A former University of Kentucky assistant football coach said he received a death threat yesterday morning, two days after his affidavit alleging rampant improprieties in UK's football program became public.
• Former assistant says UK bankrolled players    Former Kentucky assistant coach Claude Bassett claims in his federal lawsuit that the school provided cash and other perks to football players and encouraged cheating in the program.
• Wildcats will open 2007 season vs. Eastern     Eastern Kentucky will replace the University of Louisville as Kentucky's season-opening opponent for the 2007 season, UK officials announced yesterday.
• Bassett: UK gave cash to players    Former Kentucky assistant coach Claude Bassett claims in his federal lawsuit that the university provided cash and other perks to football players and encouraged cheating in the program.

• Todd, Barnhart heap praise on compliance czar     'I TRUST SANDY BELL IMPLICITLY'    University of Kentucky President Lee Todd and Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart yesterday endorsed the integrity of Sandy Bell, the person tasked with policing the school's effort to comply with NCAA rules.

• Cats call on Logan to catch on quickly    LITTLE-USED RECEIVER HAS BIG ROLE IN DEPLETED CORPS    John Logan, you're officially on call. The Kentucky football team's wide receiver position has been depleted by injuries, and Coach Rich Brooks is looking for players to fill the void.
• UK's Drobney makes it back to end zone     During the tough times for Kentucky the past two seasons - and there have been many - Jeremiah Drobney has served as a face of the program off the field, answering media queries, putting on a brave front when necessary and earning his teammates' respect.
• Powers' time has come    Dan Powers knew a little something about catching passes from his days as a tight end at Indiana University. That's why he was so surprised when his son, then-sixth-grader Blake Powers, zipped throw after throw into his dad's hands with a thud uncommon for kids his age.
• QB rivalry goes back a ways    When Andre' Woodson and Blake Powers first went head to head in a middle-school basketball game, neither had a clue that one day their many confrontations would extend to college football.
• Bassett: Kentucky fostered cheating    The University of Kentucky regularly provided football players with cash and other perks and encouraged rampant cheating in the program, former recruiting coordinator Claude Bassett alleged in his federal lawsuit against the school and the NCAA.
• UK subs need to step up    By the time the University of Kentucky finished earning its first victory of the season, one half of its win total from last year, its bench resembled a triage center.
• UK needs to find answers to defeat IU    The Wildcats showed the potential to exceed limited preseason expectations with a strong performance against Louisville in the season opener.

• Todd defends decision to extend AD's deal    University of Kentucky President Lee Todd yesterday supported his decision to adjust and extend athletic director Mitch Barnhart's contract before the school's athletic board of directors.

• Past wins won't help Kentucky    The last time Kentucky played Indiana, the Wildcats thought they were finally on the right track to offensive success.
• Extra work no problem for Little    UK back may surpass career-high 19 carries    Rafael Little had quite a workload during Kentucky's win over Idaho State last Saturday. In addition to his career-high 104 rushing yards, Little caught three passes for 30 yards and had the game-winning 99-yard kickoff return.
• University of Kentucky Football Notebook     The University of Kentucky and Indiana University enter Saturday's game with their series tied 17-17-1. With this being the last game for the foreseeable future, the winner can claim victory in the series, at least for a while.
• Bassett: UK violations commonplace     EX-ASSISTANT SAYS 'CELEBRATED' QB GOT CASH, OTHER BENEFITS    A former University of Kentucky assistant football coach at the center of the program's NCAA violations said giving cash and other inducements to players, including "one of the most celebrated" players in state history, was the norm, not the exception, during and before his tenure.
• Two wins have Wildcats' next opponent feeling confident    Terry Hoeppner has seen his run defense shredded and his rushing game struggle. He's dissected mistakes and made adjustments. But even the flaws haven't deterred Indiana University's new coach.

       Volleyball 

• Wallace Leads Cats Past Morehead State    Senior outside hitter Danielle Wallace posted a team-high 19 kills on .351 hitting Tuesday as Kentucky swept in-state foe Morehead State, 3-0 (30-15, 35-33, 30-27) in Memorial Coliseum. The Cats improve to 5-2 with the victory, while the Eagles drop to 4-7.

• UK's Leger ready to 'step up'    Injuries may have decimated Kentucky's defensive line, but Jason Leger says that's no reason to write off the season going into Saturday's game at Indiana.
• Little gives UK double vision    Coach Rich Brooks said yesterday offensive catalyst Rafael Little would take over punt return duties in the absence of sophomore Keenan Burton, who cracked a bone in his right foot during the Cats' 41-29 victory over Idaho State Saturday.
• UK-IU not on national radar, but it's big here    BRAGGING RIGHTS INFLATED FOR LAST CHAPTER IN SERIES    The College Football Nation will look at Bloomington, Ind., Saturday ... ... and wish for a basketball game. And, frankly, my dear, it's easy to see why the country will view Kentucky vs. Indiana as a football game about which it shouldn't give a damn.
• No time for funk with IU ahead     WILDCATS FACE DEFINING MOMENT VS. HOOSIERS    Yes, injuries have put an early damper on Kentucky's football season. And, yes, Saturday's close-call win over Division I-AA Idaho State curbed some of the good feeling from a promising performance against Louisville and made the Wildcats realize there's still work to be done.
• Bruised, not beaten    Now that Team Togetherness has turned into the Wounded Wildcats, University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks wants to see how resilient his players have become
• Injuries hamper Cats' receiver corps    Entering the preseason, Kentucky's depth at receiver appeared to be a team strength. Just two games into the season, it's become one of the biggest question marks.

       Volleyball 

• UK Volleyball Hosts Morehead State     The Kentucky volleyball team will look to rebound from a tough loss to Wright State as it faces in-state foe Morehead State on Tuesday.

• Dickerson, Little Earn Game-Captain Roles     Junior long snapper Jason Dickerson and sophomore tailback Rafael Little have been selected as game captains for the Indiana game ... Florida at Kentucky will be at either 3:30 p.m. (CBS) or 12:30 p.m. (Jefferson-Pilot).
• Logan has his chance, as UK needs help at receiver    Speedster John Logan now has his chance to show why he should be playing more at Kentucky.
• Little plays big for UK    Rafael Little wanted to finish a kickoff return for a touchdown that just eluded teammate Keenan Burton on the opening play of Saturday's game here against Idaho State. While it was still only the second game of the year for Kentucky, Little's 99-yard kickoff return may have saved the season for Kentucky.
• Injury-decimated Kentucky turns sights toward Indiana    In the fourth quarter of Kentucky's 41-29 win over Idaho State on Saturday night, Keenan Burton and Tommy Cook both rode a cart off the Commonwealth Stadium field.
• Cats are resilient, if not healthy    TRAIT NOT PRESENT IN LAST YEAR'S TEAM    There was plenty not to like about Kentucky's tougher-than-expected 41-29 win over Division I-AA Idaho State Saturday. The Wildcat defense had very little success in stopping the Bengals, missing 29 tackles and allowing 448 yards of offense.
• 'Tweener team must avoid highs, lows    BUT INJURIES' TOLL MIGHT RULE SEASON    Before another motorized cart hauls away this Kentucky football season, time to toss back a couple of reality pills. First of all, we now know Kentucky is probably not as good as that second half against Louisville when Rich Brooks' bunch stormed back from a three-touchdown deficit to scare the socks off the 12th-ranked Cardinals.

• UK defense gives, then takes away    It wasn't nearly as deep a hole as Kentucky found itself in last Sunday, but the Kentucky defense found itself in familiar territory Saturday - down at the half while allowing its opponent to roll up the yards.
• Little comes through late    BENGALS' BLOCKED PUNT FOR TD GIVES CATS A SCARE    Rafael Little finished what Keenan Burton could not. Burton, Kentucky's sophomore big-play threat, appeared on his way to a kickoff-return touchdown on the game's opening play before inexplicably slipping and falling at the 6-yard line. That seemed like a minor slip-up compared to what almost happened to the Wildcats on their way to ultimately pulling out a 41-29 victory tonight.
• Little's big return late helps Wildcats escape    Rafael Little's 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown with 4:51 left in the game provided the winning points in the Wildcats' 41-29 victory over Idaho State before 59,519 unexpectedly tense fans in Commonwealth Stadium.
• OFF THE GROWTH CHART    With football players larger than ever, is it time to scale back?  For football linemen, it is essentially the 11th Commandment. Thou cannot be too large. But from the moment that 315-pound San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Thomas Herrion dropped dead after playing in a pre-season game in Denver last month, a question that had been percolating under the surface for years suddenly came to critical mass.
• Kentucky's win comes with lots to worry about     For $200,000 this is what Division I-AA visitors to the world of big-time BCS college football are supposed to do:
• Depth-challenged Kentucky facing grim diagnosis    BROOKS CALLS RASH OF INJURIES 'ALMOST UNBELIEVABLE'    It was apropos that there was a strong military presence at Commonwealth Stadium last night. By game's end, Kentucky looked like a M*A*S*H unit.
• Kneecap injuries put hurt on Wildcats     University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks could hardly remember a team losing a player because of a dislocated kneecap, but the Wildcats lost two last night in a costly 41-29 victory over Idaho State.
• Losses add up in UK victory    Cats avoid embarrassment but three key players hurt   Finishing was a problem most of last night for the Kentucky football team. It started on the opening kickoff return, when Keenan Burton appeared on his way to a 99-yard touchdown only to slip and fall on the 6-yard line.
• Little sparks Cats' rally to victory    Kentucky trailed Idaho State with 5:06 left    Rafael Little's career night helped the University of Kentucky avoid the unthinkable for a Southeastern Conference team: a home loss to a NCAA Division I-AA squad.
• BY THE NUMBERS     Idaho State 6 10 0 13--29 Kentucky 7 7 14 13--41 First quarter Alexis Bwenge 6 run (Taylor Begley kick), 14:43; ISU -- Jaret Johnson 32 FG, 12:53; ISU -- Johnson 50 FG, 4:54.
• UK's victory comes at a steep price     For a guy who just broke his foot hours earlier, Keenan Burton seemed pretty chipper as he hobbled into Wildcat Den on a pair of wooden crutches after Kentucky's 41-29 win Saturay night over visiting Idaho State.
• Hall of Fame    Many of the University of Kentucky's greatest athletic stars enjoyed a most harmonic convergence Friday night. Warm applause and good-natured laughter filled a Lexington hotel ballroom as UK recognized 88 charter inductees into a new athletic Hall of Fame.
• Woodson's efficiency rating tops Couch's, Lorenzen's     Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson went 15-for-20 passing for 167 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions last night. Woodson is now 32-for-47 through the air for 445 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. His pass-efficiency rating is 175.7, which is higher than Tim Couch's (144.3) and Jared Lorenzen's (135.1) ratings in their first two games as established starters.

• Wildcat Nation honors the truest of the Blue    The first class of the University of Kentucky's new Athletics Hall of Fame will be inducted at today's football game against Idaho State.

• Big Second Half Lifts Cats Past Bengals     UK used four second half touchdowns to erase a 16-14 halftime deficit and defeat the visiting Idaho State Bengals 41-29 Saturday evening at Commonwealth Stadium.
• Everyone, just drop it already     WOODSON, COACHES SAY QB WILL FIX FUMBLE PROBLEM     Andre Woodson won't come out and say he's tired of hearing about fumbling. But Woodson, who has lost eight fumbles in eight career games, including three costly ones in last Sunday's 31-24 loss to Louisville, knows it's an issue he needs to get corrected
• Kentucky looks for first win    Looking to build on the momentum gained in the 31-24 loss to Louisville last Sunday, the Wildcats look for their first win of season against Idaho State (1-0) at 6 p.m. at Commonwealth Stadium.
• Holt's injury 'looked worse than it was'     NECK STIFFNESS WON'T KEEP WIDEOUT ON THE SIDELINE     When Kentucky receiver Glenn Holt hit the turf following an unsuccessful diving attempt at an Andre Woodson pass, it didn't seem like anything out of the ordinary. Then Holt tried to get up, and that's when things got a little scary.
• UK's Brooks says 'Ohio' for motivation    Idaho State 3-21 against Division I-A opponents    Rich Brooks has a simple way of motivating his players as they prepare to host NCAA Division I-AA Idaho State today: he reminds them of the most embarrassing defeat in the University of Kentucky's recent history.
• GAMES WITHIN THE GAME     The Kentucky camp talked all pre-season about a new, improved attitude, better team chemistry, and stronger resolve. UK passed the first part of that test last week by rallying in the second half against Louisville. Now comes the second part of that test. If the Cats are really tougher mentally, they've gotten the tough U o f L loss out of their systems and they'll come out and pound Idaho State today. But if this is the same Kentucky we've seen in the past, they'll come out uninspired and piddle around with the Bengals, raising major concerns heading into next week's important battle at Indiana.
• No-huddle changes pace for UK    The Wildcats (0-1) used the no-huddle successfully last week, and it again could become an important part of their strategy tonight against Idaho State (1-0).

• Woodyard - UK hasn't played its best yet    Sophomore linebacker Wesley Woodyard doesn't want Kentucky fans to think they have seen the best the Wildcats have to offer this year.
• UK's Mills out for season    Kentucky junior defensive tackle Lamar Mills has a torn knee ligament and he will miss the remainder of the season. Mills was hurt late in Sunday's loss to Louisville after making a career-high eight tackles.
• Idaho State/Kentucky game to be broadcast on Sirius Satellite Radio     Fans outside of Southern Idaho can access Idaho State's game with The University of Kentucky courtesy of the SEC Sirius Satellite Radio contract. The game will be available on channel 181 on Sirius.
• Football Game Notes: Idaho State at Kentucky     After a 38-13 victory in the season opener against Southern Utah, the Bengals now head to the Eastern Time Zone and to the land of the BSC to take on the University of Kentucky, who lost a nailbiter 31-24 to 12th-ranked Louisville in the Governor's Cup game on Sunday afternoon.
• Wireless connection    Family of nine can forgo electricity but not their Cats    So you think you're a tried-and-true University of Kentucky football fan, do you? You say you were there the night the goal posts came down at Commonwealth Stadium after UK's victory over Alabama in 1997.
• Injury ends season for UK tackle Mills    Defensive tackle Lamar Mills will miss the rest of the season because of a torn ligament in his knee, he said yesterday, on the heels of what coaches called his best game at the University of Kentucky.
• UK Hall of Fame inductees     The first class of inductees to the University of Kentucky Hall of Fame, listed by sport, with years at UK (x-confirmed attendees):
• Cats lose Mills to injured knee    Kentucky defensive tackle Lamar Mills has a torn knee ligament and will miss the rest of the football season, coach Rich Brooks said Thursday.
• Honoree's path bypassed Bear     ROLLER 1 OF 88 STARS IN INAUGURAL CLASS    Of all the inaugural inductees in Kentucky's athletic Hall of Fame, surely none had his or her desire to play for UK put to a sterner test than Dave Roller.
• Mills will be out for season     The one position Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks felt good about from a depth standpoint going into fall camp was defensive tackle.

       Volleyball 

• Kentucky Sweeps Eastern Illinois in Home Opener    Senior outside hitter Danielle Wallace registered a match-high 15 kills Friday to lead the Wildcats to an impressive 3-0 (30-10, 30-19, 30-21) home-opening victory over Eastern Illinois in Memorial Coliseum. The Wildcats improve to 4-1 on the season with the win, while the Panthers drop to 2-2.

• Mills Out for the Season     An MRI test on junior defensive tackle Lamar Mills has revealed a torn knee ligament and he will miss the remainder of the season ..
• Game Day Information - Kentucky vs. Idaho State    Click for all the information you'll need for this Saturday's game vs. Idaho State. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. at Commonwealth Stadium.
• Smith returns with vengeance    CORNERBACK MADE 15 TACKLES IN OPENING LOSS TO U OF L    The anxiety level of Kentucky cornerback Bo Smith was rising at the same time he was racking up tackle after tackle during Sunday's season opener with Louisville.
• SEC official says referees were right on Woodson fumble    The Southeastern Conference's supervisor of football officials said yesterday that he has no dispute with how a controversial call was handled Sunday in the University of Louisville's 31-24 win over Kentucky.
• Mitchell becoming big-play threat for Kentucky    There was Scott Mitchell, on his rear end in the end zone at Commonwealth Stadium, with the football headed his way.
• Cats' Mitchell blossoms into threat    Senior wide receiver had TD catch in loss to U of L    There was Scott Mitchell, on his rear end in the end zone at Commonwealth Stadium, with the football headed his way.
• A little sun appears to be shining on UK program    The dark cloud that has hung over the University of Kentucky football program in recent years might be about to disappear.

       Volleyball 

• UK Opens Home Slate Against Eastern Illinois    The Kentucky volleyball team opens its 29th season at Memorial Coliseum against Eastern Illinois on Friday at 7 p.m. The Wildcats are coming off a disappointing 3-0 loss at No. 11 Louisville Wednesday and look to get back on track against the Panthers.
• Cards thwart UK's rally, win in a sweep    The University of Louisville volleyball team played the University of Kentucky last night with the pressure of a No. 11 ranking on its shoulders. The Cardinals started fast and survived some nervous moments in the final game before winning 30-18, 30-26, 35-33 before a Cardinal Arena crowd of 989.

• Football Notebook - Holt, Leger Cleared to Play in Idaho State Game     Senior wide receiver Glenn Holt and sophomore defensive tackle Jason Leger have been cleared to play in Saturday’s game vs. Idaho State ... Draak Davis and Bo Smith earn game-captain roles ... Tickets available for the Idaho State game.
• Receiver, running back commit to Kentucky    Kentucky didn't get a win over Louisville, but the Wildcats' play in Sunday's 31-24 loss helped convince South Carolina receiver LaMarckus Boswell and Madison Central running back Paul Warford to verbally commit to UK Tuesday.
• Ohio inspires Cats as they get ready for Idaho State    It won't be hard for Kentucky coach Rich Brooks to make sure his team doesn't have a letdown this week.
• Ohio game provides reminder    Sting of last year's loss sure to keep UK grounded    There were no chests puffed out and no heads in the clouds yesterday as Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks and selected Wildcat players addressed the media two days after its near upset of arch-rival and nationally ranked Louisville.
• UK football fans now can look ahead, not down    OK, let's look forward. It sure beats looking down. Heads up, Wildcats. You're onto something. You just might be starting the University of Kentucky football program's march to respectability.
• Brooks: Louisville game shows Wildcats have improved    Kentucky coach Rich Brooks wants to look forward to Idaho State, the Wildcats' next opponent.
• Cats grab two more commitments     It appears that a promising showing against Louisville this weekend already has garnered results for the University of Kentucky football program, as the Cats picked up two oral commitments for their 2006 recruiting class.
• Cats vow they won't let down    "Remember Ohio U." isn't nearly as catchy as the Remember the Alamo or the Titans, but it will become a familiar refrain by the end of the week for the University of Kentucky football team. 

       Volleyball 

• Wildcats Drop First Match of Year at No. 11 Louisville     The Kentucky volleyball team dropped its first match of the season at the hands of 11th-ranked Louisville at Cardinal Arena in Louisville, Ky., Wednesday night. Despite rallying late in both games two and three, UK couldn’t overcome a potent Louisville attack and dropped the games, 30-18, 30-26 and 35-33.
• UK's new volleyball coach wants thoroughbred program    Craig Skinner spent Sunday watching the University of Louisville-University of Kentucky football game. UK's rookie volleyball coach will get to witness the rivalry firsthand at 7:30 tonight when the Wildcats (3-0) take on No. 11-ranked U of L (3-0) in Cardinal Arena.

• Pregame Football Press Conference Quotes     Coming off a tough seven-point loss to No. 12 Louisville on Sunday, the Cats hope to bounce back this Saturday as they play host to Idaho State at 6 p.m. Coach Brooks and selected players talked to the media Tuesday about the upcoming game.
• Tamme - Loss 'hurts a lot'    As hard as he tried to be positive, Jacob Tamme couldn't hide the obvious.
• Brooks needs to fix UK's lines    After getting a chance to see that quarterback Andre Woodson clearly fumbled just two yards short of a potential game-tying touchdown, Kentucky coach Rich Brooks turned his attention Sunday to two other problems.
• Except for score, UK staff winners    OFFENSIVE MASTERMIND PETRINO OUTDONE IN ADJUSTMENTS, PASSION AND CREATIVITY    What I know: Two years ago, Louisville beat Kentucky decisively in Commonwealth Stadium in a first-game matchup of brand-new coaching staffs.
• Cats won't be at full strength for Idaho St.     DEFENSIVE-TACKLE SPOT TAKES MORE HITS; RECEIVER HOLT OUT WITH NECK STIFFNESS    The University of Kentucky looked like a different team in its season-opening 31-24 loss to Louisville on Sunday. And unfortunately for Rich Brooks, injuries will have the Cats looking like a different team this week when they face Division I-AA Idaho State on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium.
• Archer's patient approach pays off    Mike Archer admittedly isn't a patient person. So when he entered the University of Kentucky's locker room at halftime Sunday, with the Wildcats trailing the University of Louisville 28-7, the players braced for a Mike Ditka-like tirade. Instead they got Dale Carnegie.

       Volleyball 

• Undefeated Volleyball to Face No. 11 Louisville    After sweeping through its competition at the Big Orange Bash in Clemson, S.C., last weekend, the Kentucky volleyball team hits the road Wednesday to face in-state rival and 11th-ranked Louisville. Opening serve is set for 7:30 p.m. at Cardinal Arena.

• Wildcats put up a fight    Not that long ago, it would have been laughable to think that the University of Kentucky could compete with archrival Louisville.
• It hurts, but it could've hurt worse    Cats showed us a lot to like in second half    To be a Kentucky football fan is to face some of the great psychological questions of our gridiron time. Such as: Is it here we go, or here we go again?
• Cardinals' offense surges, then stalls     The Louisville offense looked like the same well-oiled machine in the first half Sunday against the Kentucky Wildcats, but the second half it developed a miss and began to sputter
• UK falls a little short — again    For a moment, an entire stadium had forgotten that The New York Times had picked the U of L to play for the national championship. Not a word about the job security of UK coach Rich Brooks. Not even a second of debating where this game should fit on the schedule
• Cats find offense, then give it away    TURNOVERS DAMPEN ENCOURAGING SIGNS    The world can be a funny place. At the end of Kentucky's matchup with archrival Louisville yesterday, the UK quarterback choked back tears.
• UK comeback falls short after Cards build 28-7 halftime lead     University of Louisville running back Michael Bush's slow, painful walk was a far cry from the swagger the No. 12-ranked Cardinals brought into yesterday's season opener against archrival Kentucky.
• Good to the last drop     Cats offer hope, but late fumble kills comeback    If you're emotionally invested in Kentucky football, you probably left Commonwealth Stadium feeling a variety of ways yesterday. On one hand, you probably had that same-old, same-old feeling after watching the Cats push another ranked opponent to the edge only to let them off the hook.
• Woodson's fumbles lamented     Tears welled in his eyes, and his speech became halted as he thought about his three lost fumbles.
• UK defenders simply changed their attitude     TACKLING, MAN COVERAGE BOTH IMPROVE AFTER LOCKER-ROOM CHAT    It wasn't about rewriting the playbooks at halftime. It wasn't about changing schemes or making big-time adjustments. No, the only adjustment Kentucky's defense made was simpler than that. It was an attitude adjustment.
• Louisville squeaks past Wildcats    12th-ranked Cardinals hold off UK, 31-24    For all the preseason talk about Louisville's high-powered passing game, it was a running back and a defensive end that led the Cardinals to victory in their opener.
• Dumervil's six-pack of sacks makes UK pay     ONE-MAN WRECKING CREW SETS TONE ON TEAM KNOWN FOR OFFENSE    As Elvis Dumervil entered the post-game interview room, teammate Brandon Johnson couldn't believe the reporters' professional detachment.
• Opening game may set pattern for teams    Sitting down in front of one batch of cameras, University of Louisville coach Bobby Petrino let out one of those "Thank the Lord" exhales.
• Decision not to take time for review perturbs Brooks     It only took one game for the new instant replay rules to stir up a controversy. Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks was miffed following yesterday's 31-24 loss to Louisville that play wasn't stopped in order to review Andre Woodson's fumble at the U of L 2-yard line with 6:21 remaining.
• UK-U of L rivalry game finally felt like a rivalry     When you think of great rivalry games, the Louisville-Kentucky game isn't probably on the top of the list.
• GAME STATISTICS     Louisville 7 21 0 3--31 Kentucky 7 0 10 7--24 First quarter Brian Brohm 1 run (Art Carmody kick), 8:22; UK -- Arliss Beach 6 run (Taylor Begley kick), 4:08.
• Woodson haunted by fumbles     After most of the 70,752 fans had left Commonwealth Stadium after the 12th-ranked Louisville Cardinals' 31-24 win over the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday afternoon, Kentucky sophomore quarterback Andre Woodson made his way down the Gate 4 ramp

• Cats look like spirited, more athletic team    Kentucky played most of the first half much like it did last year when it won only two games. The Wildcats also ended the game with a look that has become all too familiar to UK fans.
• Cats-Cards Notes    Notes from Sunday's Kentucky-Louisville game:
• Bush, Dumervil lead Louisville past Kentucky    For all the preseason talk about Louisville's high-powered passing game, it was a running back and a defensive end that led the Cardinals to victory in their opener.
• Cards win, but Leffew still shaking his head    Everything went so smooth in the first half for 14th-ranked Louisville that everyone thought the second half would be much the same.
• Kentucky Falls to Louisville, 31-24     Although they outscored the Cardinals 17-3 in the second half, the Kentucky Wildcats fell just short of their bid to upset No. 12 Louisville, as they fell 31-24 in Commonwealth Stadium Sunday afternoon.
• Cards hold off Cats    3 TURNOVERS COST KENTUCKY CHANCE AT UPSET    Louisville held off a furious comeback by Kentucky to come away with a 31-24 victory in a sold-out Commonwealth Stadium.
• Cards hold off Wildcats 31-24   Michael Bush rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns to lead 12th-ranked Louisville. Brian Brohm threw for 179 yards and also rushed for a pair of touchdowns. Kentucky's Andre Woodson threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns for Kentucky, but also lost three fumbles in the setback.
• Brooks deserves another season    If Kentucky could beat Louisville today, Rich Brooks wouldn't have to worry about his job security.
• Optimism: That's Rich    Brooks says naysayers don't factor unknown    The question hadn't even completely come out yet, about how nobody really thinks the University of Kentucky has a chance this afternoon against Louisville, when Rich Brooks interrupted.
• Cardinals vs. Wildcats: It's game day in Lexington    After winning five of the last six games in its cross-state rivalry, the University of Louisville football team enters today's showdown against the University of Kentucky as a 22-point favorite.
• Here's 21, but Cats will need more    Twenty-one spicy nuggets to chew on while you tailgate: 21. Cocky Louisville fans. Remember how U of L fans (with some reason) used to complain about the arrogance of Kentucky supporters?
• Sophomore QBs move into spotlight     University of Kentucky quarterback Andre' Woodson had a decorated high school career.   He was one of the state's top recruits at North Hardin High School and earned an invitation to the exclusive Elite 11 quarterback camp in California.
•  Listen up, spreadheads: Cards have it covered    EXPECT LOUISVILLE'S SHINING STARS TO EASILY ECLIPSE KENTUCKY'S FEW RAYS OF HOPE    The following pigskin prognostication should provide Mitch and Rich a halo of hope on this special Sunday opening of Kentucky's college football campaign.
• In this series, underdog often has its day     After winning five of the last six games in its cross-state rivalry, the University of Louisville football team enters today's showdown against the University of Kentucky as a 22-point favorite.
• GAMES WITHIN THE GAME     For all the attention given to Brohm, it's U of L junior running back Michael Bush, above, who potentially causes the UK defense the most problems. At 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, Bush is extremely hard to tackle, can catch out of the backfield and has been known to throw an occasional halfback pass or two as well.
• Cards focused on Cats, not hype    University of Louisville linebacker Brandon Johnson isn't worried that too much attention will spoil the No. 12 Cardinals.
• TODAY'S MATCHUPS     Advantage: Louisville Advantage: Louisville Advantage: Louisville Advantage: Kentucky Advantage: Louisville Advantage: Louisville Advantage: Louisville
• Louisville's program has pulled away from Kentucky's    As they get set to knock helmets this afternoon in Lexington, the contrasts are stark and deep for the football programs at the two NCAA Division I-A state schools
• BLUE BELIEVERS     Sure, sure. On paper it looks like an afternoon of Blue and gloom. When Louisville invades Commonwealth Stadium today for the 12th renewal in the battle for The Governor's Cup (which was first awarded in 1994), all the signs will favor the Red.
• Brohm looks to add his name alongside the Louisville great QBs     The University of Miami Hurricanes earned the reputation of being "Quarterback U" for the great signal callers the school produced since the early 1980s.
• DEPTH CHARTS     Louisville offense Left tackle 78 Travis Lefffew 6-4 304 Sr. 68 George Bussey 6-3 295 Fr. Left guard 59 Jason Spitz 6-4 311 Sr. 63 Danny Barlowe 6-5 290 So.
• Kentucky receivers free to make big plays in Phillips' offense     The University of Kentucky wide receivers have gone from the oppressed to the liberated.

• It's possible to improve and not win    UK MOST LIKELY TO PROVE THEORY    There's the new offensive coordinator and the new quarterback and the new defensive scheme and the new attitude of the locker-room love-in that Kentucky brings into this new football season.
• UK defense familiar with Cards' Brohm    It took all of one series as a college quarterback for Louisville's Brian Brohm to record his first touchdown drive.
• Joker keeping tricks up his sleeve    COACH SAYS PLAYBOOK WILL KEEP CARDS GUESSING    Kentucky offensive coordinator Joker Phillips has been grilled all fall about what new wrinkles we'll see with the Wildcats offense come Sunday.
• Joker a wild card in U of L planning    Petrino cautious of UK funny business     University of Louisville football coach Bobby Petrino is not known as a comedian, but there has been some funny business going on in practices.
• Painting the yard BLUE     UK fan puts his feelings out front    University of Kentucky fans wear their Go Big Blue T-shirts, they shake their pompons and they might even paint their faces and wear a big wig from time to time.
• Fans giddy that Joker's calling plays   Former UK player building excitement   Joker Phillips has always been "one of us" to University of Kentucky fans. He sweated and bled on the Commonwealth Stadium turf as a player and twice has served as an assistant football coach for the Wildcats. His investment has been substantial.
• Woodson out to steal spotlight     The limelight shines heavily on University of Louisville sophomore quarterback Brian Brohm, last year's Conference USA freshman of the year.

• Top-five prospect Wright visits Cats    6-10 FORWARD HAS MANY SUITORS TO SEE   Somewhere in the throng attending Sunday's Kentucky-Louisville football game will be one of the nation's most highly rated basketball prospects.  Brandan Wright, a willowy 6-foot-10, 195-pound forward from Nashville, made his official recruiting visit to UK this weekend, his high school coach said yesterday.

• Vaught's Views: Why Cards will win    While it's easy to think Kentucky has a lot of factors working in its favor that could let the Wildcats win Sunday's season-opening game against Louisville, think again.
• Leffew knows Smith will help Cats    Travis Leffew knows there is one reason to think Louisville will have a harder time scoring against Kentucky Sunday than the Cardinals did last year.
• Kentucky must stop the run to slow down Cardinals    With the attention given to Louisville's potent passing game and the expected emergence of a more productive passing game at Kentucky under new offensive coordinator Joker Phillips, the Cardinals' running game has been somewhat overlooked going into Sunday's game here with UK
• UK Fans Game Day Information     Click for complete information for fans attending the Kentucky/Louisville game this Sunday at Commonwealth Stadium.
• Tough task for defense    Confusing, sneaky and tricky were some of the words used by University of Kentucky players to describe the University of Louisville's prolific offensive formations.
• Kentucky's Dickerson wants to atone for poor outing in spring     More than four months before the University of Kentucky's season opener, junior long snapper Jason Dickerson had already felt third-year coach Rich Brooks' wrath after flubbing a few snaps in the Wildcats' annual Blue/White Game at Commonwealth Stadium.
• U of L has one mantra: Beat UK    Like seeing trick questions on a test, University of Louisville football coach Bobby Petrino has faced all kinds of queries about a possible Bowl Championship Series berth and even a national championship.
• Woodson's football path started on the big screen    QUARTERBACK'S MOM NERVOUS AS GAME APPROACHES    This morning's quiz: Owner of the most nervous stomach as the days dwindle toward the big game? A.) The head football coach; B.) The coach's wife;
• Woodson takes over the reins of Phillips' offense at Kentucky     Joker Phillips, first-year offensive coordinator for the University of Kentucky, wouldn't let just anybody run his offense. Phillips needs a proven winner and leader.
• Duncan could fill multiple roles for Kentucky     Zipp Duncan was on the fence. Or more accurately, in relation to football, he was teetering on the line of scrimmage.
• Freshman earns start at linebacker    The Wildcats had been practicing for less than a week in full pads, but Archer, UK's defensive coordinator, already suspected that Schuler might lose his job at middle linebacker to true freshman Braxton Kelley
• Katrina displaces two Cats' families    LYONS JR., MILLS AWAIT PARENTS' LEXINGTON ARRIVAL    The ramifications of Hurricane Katrina have trickled down to the University of Kentucky football team, as Wildcats from Louisiana have spent the past few days trying to track down family members and friends.
• Kentucky's Abdullah makes noise with hits, not mouth     Muhammad Abdullah isn't a chatterbox. Muhammad Abdullah is a headhunter in the box.
• Kentucky's Lewis switches sides of the ball once again     First-year offensive coordinator Joker Phillips is intent on giving the University of Kentucky's forlorn offense an adrenaline shot of maximum dosage, thereby doing his part to breathe new life and interest in Wildcat football.
• UK-U of L: a flashback to 2002 upset    They'll always have 2002. "My freshman year, we got a lot of confidence from winning that game," University of Kentucky senior tailback Arliss Beach said. "I keep the 2002 game in the back of my head," University of Louisville senior offensive tackle Travis Leffew said.

• Hurricane hit close to home for DeMoss    COACH WILL SPEARHEAD FUND DRIVE FOR VICTIMS    Images flash by on a television screen and Mickie DeMoss can't take her eyes off of them. Images of flooding, houses so broken that they look like they were made of popsicle sticks. It makes her stomach turn, but she can't look away.

• UK Volleyball Opens Season at Big Orange Bash    The Kentucky volleyball team will open the Craig Skinner era this weekend as the Wildcats travel to Clemson, S.C., to compete in the Big Orange Bash. The Cats open tournament play against Western Carolina at 7 p.m. Friday. UK will meet UConn at 9:30 a.m. Saturday and close the tournament by facing the host Tigers at 5 p.m. Saturday.

• Mitchell knows UK can beat Cardinals    Scott Mitchell ended his first season at Kentucky with a memorable performance.
• QB Woodson gets serious about changing reputation   About two months into his first full season, quarterback Andre' Woodson figured he'd played his Kentucky career all wrong.
• Abdullah the unquestioned leader of Kentucky's defense    Kentucky defensive coordinator Mike Archer has no trouble pinpointing the moment when Muhammad Abdullah became the leader of the Wildcats' defensive unit.
• Defensive backfield fits the puzzle    Defensive backs coach Steve Brown has extreme confidence in his team's potential this season.  When asked if the Cats would be better this year, he responded with an enthusiastic, "Hell, yes!"
• Backup QB not a bright spot    NEITHER UK, U OF L WANTS TO GO BEYOND ITS STARTER    There's not a whole lot more that can be said about the two guys who will be under center during Sunday's Louisville-Kentucky football game.
• UK's Smith eager to return    Wildcats plan to redshirt Schwindel  The University of Kentucky cornerback will play for the first time since 2003 when the Wildcats host the Louisville Cardinals on Sunday.
• Is 4-3 right number for UK?    What is the value of a good run defense in the football series between the universities of Louisville and Kentucky? UK defensive coordinator Mike Archer knows. When asked if the Wildcats' new 4-3 alignment could stop the run, he replied, "That's the million-dollar question."
• Cats will make move in right direction    Inexperience and a lack of depth are issues that will make it tough on the University of Kentucky football team this fall.
• UK trying to undercut true leaders    The heavy lifters who actually moved the blocking sled to make this Kentucky-Louisville football series a statewide holiday listen to this outrageous talk that UK is changing its portion of the party from Kickoff Sunday and they wince. Where are UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart and his sidekick, coach Rich Brooks, coming from?
• UK hopes backfield can be solid complement to its passing attack     With an exciting new offensive coordinator, Joker Phillips, and a strong-armed quarterback, Andre Woodson, much has been said about what is expected from the University of Kentucky's passing attack.

      Volleyball 

• UK Volleyball Opens Season at Big Orange Bash     The Kentucky volleyball team will open the Craig Skinner era this weekend as the Wildcats travel to Clemson, S.C., to compete in the Big Orange Bash. The Cats open tournament play against Western Carolina at 7 p.m. Friday. UK will meet UConn at 9:30 a.m. Saturday and close the tournament by facing the host Tigers at 5 p.m. Saturday.