Willis gives UK boost in kicking game; Claiborne pleased with progress of punters
From The Cats' Pause Staff Reports
Placekicker Ken Willis, whose 66-yard attempt last season barely missed against Florida, gives Kentucky one of the strongest legs in the country.
A transfer from Danville's Centre College, Willis made good on 12 of 19 field goals and 21 of 23 extra point attempts in his initial season at UK. He led the Wildcats in scoring with 57 points.
His six successful boots in nine tries between 41-48 yards and many kickoffs through the end zone verify the long range potential of this soccer-style kicker.
"He's going to be kicking the ball off the ground this year and not on the tee," said Jerry Claiborne, referring to the new rule put in by the NCAA. "But Kenny's going to be one of the better kickers in the country."
Willis booted his longest field goal of the season, a 48-yarder, against Florida. He also was selected to the SEC All-Conference academic team.
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Claiborne said punters Bill Hawk, James Parker and Bryant Smith "are the three guys that have improved."
Of the trio, Claiborne was extremely high on Hawk, a transfer from Cal-Lutheran
According to the head coach, Hawk contacted Dick Redding, the 'Cats' administrative assistant, last fall about playing for UK. However, after signing up for classes Hawk waited a month before getting back to Redding.
Hawk was able to start working out with his new team during the winter session.
"Some of the players mentioned the fact that this guy every once in a while puts the ball in orbit," Claiborne said. "I'm anxious
to see what he's going to do under full pressure. Out there the other day (practice) he was hanging the ball up there. He's got the strongest leg of any of our punters.
"Bryant Smith and Jimmy Parker have improved as far as hang time. Consistency is still the biggest problem we've got with our punterskicking it 35-40 yards and hanging it up there about four seconds or better."
UK lost the services of Jeff Nelson and Jay Tesar due to graduation.
Even with two experienced kickers Kentucky at times ran through punt formation as if it were the Keystone Cops. Against LSU the Tigers took advantage of three muffed attempts which cost UK an SEC win in Baton Rouge. Thus, Claiborne is hoping to weed out an SEC-caliber punter from this threesome.
"Right now, if you had to pick one that's the most consistent it's Bill Hawk," Claiborne accessed the current situation.
Senior placekicker Ken Willis
UK defense-
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just keeps that momentum going and improving next year. If he does then he's got a chance to be an all-conference player."
The fourth master of defense is safety Ron Robinson. Hitting is his game, according to the Wildcat staff76 tackles in '88. Robinson, a native of Nashville, has been a mainstay in UK's secondary for the past three campaigns.
Nothing would please Robinson or the coaching staff more if he could come up with a fair share of interceptions. Last year he was shutout in that department.
Along with Barnett, Holleran, Massey and Robinson other Wildcats are on the verge of bidding for star category. Guard Jerry Bell, out of the role of former Wildcal Cam Jacobs, linebacker Craig Benzinger, one of the strongest players on the squad, defensive back and punt returner Chris Tolbert and tackles Donnie Gardner and Doug Houser have the opportunity to earn plenty of headlines next season.
"We have a chance to have more 'big' type players," says Glaser. "We really do, (/they come along. We're going to miss Chris Chenault, David Johnson and Vic a lot. We have a chance to have more big (type) players.
"I hope they come through."
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