Murray Adds 'Bang' To Explosive Backfield
Freshman Fullback To Give It His Best Shot
The waiting game is now over for Andy Murray. Since being redshirted last season, the UK fullback has been anxiously awaiting the time when football practice means preparation for game day, and not just a free ticket to become a fan to watch his teammates on Saturdays.
"It's been a long wait," admitted Murray. "I have really been looking forward to the
season."
Now that he has endured his redshirt campaign, the Louisville native is currently attempting to establish himself as a player among the squad. "I didn't get a chance to prove myself last fall and I want to prove myself this spring."
Todd Hallum
Cats' Pause Columnist
However, to pencil himself into a starting backfield position certainly won't come easy with what offensive backfield coach Greg Nord terms "a stable of backs." So, in order to earn a starting berth, he is facing capable competition with last year's leading ground gainer Mark Logan being switched to fullback and highly touted freshman Al Baker waiting in the wings this fall.
"If I can't start I would like to letter and be a bigger part to the offense as anybody else in the backfield," said Murray.
But from his vantage point, Murray realizes that with the wealth of talent that occupies the UK backfield, he can go all out knowing there will be a fresh runner on the sidelines to give him a breather.
"It's great knowing you can go in there for a few plays and go as hard as you can," explained Murray. "In high school you might let up on a play but in college you know you're not going to let up because you won't be in there long."
Murray also is speculating that along with Logan, a completely healthy Mark Higgs, Ivy Joe Hunter and the addition of possibly Baker, the UK running corps might be the SEC's finest this season.
"Thus far it could be one of the best in the SEC as far as spring practice has gone," said Murray. "All of the backs are running well. Whoever is in there is going to do an excellent job."
You're Used To Winning When You Come From Trinity
Playing for a prep team which captured the Kentucky 4-A title during his senior year, Murray along with Carwell Gardner and Mike Pfeifer decided to come to Lexington and futher their athletic/academic careers at UK. He admits there still exists a close bond between the Trinity trio. . .that is when time permits.
"It's been really good," Murray said speaking of his friendships with Gardner and Pfeifer. "We don't get to spend that much time together. But we still sit down and talk with each other every once in a while."
All three have grown accustomed to winning football games while playing at Trinity High School, a prep powerhouse. By making numerous state championship appearnaces, Murray would prefer that pattern of success to continue while wearing a Wildcat uniform.
"I'm used to being a winner and I want to be a winner here," Murray said.
With Chris Derry gone at the fullback slot, Murray has been called upon to step forward and continue Derry's forte of blocking for tailbacks in UK's multiple I offense.
"I'm catching on," when asked about his blocking assignments. "It's just getting used to reading the defenses. But I think I can block anybody I have to. It's just being able to read the defenses correctly.
"The weights have done a lot for me during the winter program. Last fall I wasn't as strong, and came back a lot stronger for the spring."
Redshirting Not A Bad Idea, Afterall
It was at this juncture he discovered the act of redshirting wasn't such a bad idea, afterall.
"Coming in as a freshman  it's harder to play because everybody else is so much stronger than you," said Murray. "A year of weight lifting doesn't seem like a lot but it is, really."
"I'm really glad that I did (redshirt)."
The youngest of eight children, Murray followed in his brothers' footsteps while growing up. One of his brothers happened to play college ball at Navy and another performed at Trinity.
Being the baby of the family it was to be expected that Andy would tag along. "I always went to watch them play all the time," he said.
Since his high school days at Trinity and now at UK, Murray says his big family has been sort of a source of inspiration while out on the football field. "They all go to my games and have really supported me. It's been real exciting play-
Oliver White
Andy Murray
ing in a game knowing that they are all out there watching me."
What Murray and his family would also like to see is UK resorting back to its old form of making bowl appearances which occured during the 1983 and '84 seasons. In fact, he likes the 'Cats chances of being conference title contenders for the upcoming season.
"I would like to see us win the SEC if possible," Murray hoped. "If not, I want us to go to a good bowl game and gain some respect in the SEC because we have the players to do it."
UK Notebook
Already injuries have bitten UK during the early portions of spring practice. Defensive tackle Mike Velotta, who is one of the team's best pass rushers has had to sit out because of a broken hand. Sam Rotella, a offensive tackle and quarterback Bill Ransdell have been plagued with nagging ankle injuries. However, Rotella is the only one to miss practice time. . .When Kent State travels to Commonwealth Stadium on September 20, the school will have a new head football coach. Recently Dick Scesniak, 45, died after jogging a few miles on the Kent State campus. No word yet on who will become the new head mentor. . .When Duke defeated Kansas in the semi-final round of the Final Four the Blue Devils broke the Wildcats' NCAA season-win record of 36. . .Former UK tight end Oliver White has signed a free-agent contract with the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. White was a three-year starter (1982-84) for the Wildcats and was a 10th round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers before being released by the club last August. . .Former UK basketball assistant coach Leonard Hamilton has named Glen Korobov to join his coaching staff at Oklahoma State.
Around The SEC
Alabama head football coach Ray Perkins says there is a need to expand Bryant-Denny Stadium in order for the Crimson Tide to have a seating capacity to compare with the other large structures around the nation. "This stadium's expansion and facelift is something we need for our fans," said the 'Bama coach. Alabama officials have hired an architect to draw up plans for an upper deck to enlarge Bryant Denny's seating capacity by 12,000 to 15,000 seats. "I feel the work has to be done or either we need to pull up the existing stadium and build a new one, and obviously that would be too expensive," Perkins was quoted as saying in a recent Birmingham Post-Herald story. However, the expansion doesn't mean Alabama will quit play football games in Birmingham. Recently, Alabama officials signed a 10-year agreement to play three games a season at Legion Field. Perkins said, "I am comfortable with that agreement and the work on our stadium is not a signal of any type that we intend to stop playing in Birmingham. It is simply work that needs to be done to bring our facility up to the standards of other stadiums around the country.". . .LSU Tiger Tracks, a newspaper devoted to LSU sports will halt its publication in July according to school officials. The newspaper created by LSU athletic director Bob Brodhead last August was produced weekly during the football season, biweekly during basketball season and monthly during the off-season summer months. Steve Myers who's publisher of the Tiger Rag, another sports publication involving LSU sports, complained to LSU Chancellor James Wharton that the in-house paper was originated to drive his publication out of business. Wharton told Myers that a school committee recommended a change in the Tiger Tracks' format and said furture promotional endeavors would not be in a newspaper format and would not attempt to obtain subcribers. Apparently the LSU newspapaer caused Myers public relation problems and cost Tiger Rag about 400 to 500 subscribers. . .One other LSU footnote  ESPN intends to televise the football Tigers' home date with Texas A&M on
(Continued On Page 18)