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Sneak preview of 90 'Cats? I give it a 'thumbs up'
Everything points to a 7-4 campaign
In addressing the media at the beginning of fall football practice, Wildcat coach Bill Curry spoke of "mind set," "focus," "courage" and the ability to overcome adversityterms that are very important to any coach,
Todd Hallum
Cats' Pause Columnist
but especially to Curry as he seeks to implement them into the UK football program.
Curry not only is taking over a rebuilding program, but also one that is on the threshold of joining the upper ranks of the rugged Southeastern Conference.
Among the questions to be addressed concerning this year's Wildcat squad is the never-ending problem of depth, plus new philosophies on both offense and defense.
Will Tommy Bowden spark new life with a wide-open
offense?
Will linebacker Randy Holleran be completely recovered from a knee injury that caused him to miss the entire 1989 season?
Can Don Rubin match the strong and accurate
placekicking of the departed Ken Willis?
Since such uncertainties make it fun to speculate on the upcoming season, here's a sneak preview of what may or may not happen for Curry's first crop of Wildcats.
 Central Michigan at UK, Sept. 1With Commonwealth Stadium filled to capacity, the Wildcats come out storming against a very respectable Mid-American Conference School. The Chippewas keep it close for a half, but UK starts to pull away in the third quarter. Freddie Maggard displays none of the first-game jitters that he did against Indiana a year ago. Meanwhile, the 'Cats get solid play from the offensive line and rush for more than 220 yards. Holleran's comeback is successful as he gets a much-coveted interception. UK 33, Central Michigan 0.
 UK at Rutgers, Sept. 8On a warm night in New Jersey, the talk is how poorly UK has played on the road during the past several seasons; however, this year is different as Curry gets a road win behind an aggressive defense facing a Scarlet Knight team that is playing its first game with a new coach (Doug Graber). Phil Logan has a big day catching the football and Mike Thomas rushes for more than 100 yards. UK 27, Rutgers 12.
 Indiana at UK, Sept. 15Pre-game hype centers around the developing rivalry between the border schools, but Bill Mallory will have to find something else to complain about now that Jerry Claiborne has retired from the coaching scene. Both teams come out fired up, but UK will make the big plays and won't need a repeat of last year's goal-line stand to win this one. Curry receives a standing ovation from UK fans as he leaves the field after the post-game handshake with Mallory. UK 26, IU 9.
 UK at North Carolina, Sept. 22-The Tar Heels are no strangers to Curry, who met them on a regular basis while at Georgia Tech; in fact, he relates some old Athletic Coast Conference stories to get his Wildcats ready for a team they clearly outplayed in a 13-6 win last season. Trailing at halftime, the Wildcats put on a show in the fourth quarter to finish off the 'Heels. Now 4-0, the Wildcats prepare for the Southeastern Conference part of the schedule. UK 28, UNC 20.
 UK at Ole Miss, Oct. 6The Wildcats once again find themselves in a sometimes familiar spot, undefeated and headed into conference play. The Rebels, on the other hand, will have played a much tougher pre-
conference schedule and will be looking to get off to a good league start. Rick Baldwin has a big day for the Rebs and UK has a letdown on defense; meanwhile, the UK offense is hindered by five turnovers and Ole Miss comes up with a big play in the kicking game. The Wildcats gain only 260 yards total offense and the defense gives up too many big plays. Ole Miss 30. UK 15.
 Mississippi State at UK, Oct. 13Homecoming festivities, along with the first night game of the season in Commonwealth Stadium, make for a competitive game. Wildcat fans get fired up early as Al Baker scores on a 46-yard run in the first quarter. The lead then increases to 14 points at halftime; however, the Wildcats have trouble putting the stubborn Bulldogs away in the second half as Tony Shell marches State deep into UK territory. With the game on the line, Chris Tolbert saves the day with a late-game interception. UK 23, Mississippi State 19.
 UK at Louisiana State, Oct. 20As the Wildcats prepare for their second journey of the season into SEC territory, the talk switches to Tiger head coach Mike Archer, who needs a win over UK to keep his job. With an extra week to prepare after an open date, the Tigers are juiced in front of a boisterous crowd in raunchy Tiger Stadium, where the locals remember how Curry's Alabama team a year earlier destroyed the Tigers en route to an SEC championship. LSU's Harvey Williams and QB Sol Graves have big games and the Wildcats tuck their tails and come home 5-2. LSU 19, UK 13.
 Georgia at UK, Oct. 27Ray Goff and the Bulldogs are in the thick of the SEC race as they head into Commonwealth Stadium. The Bulldog coach fires up his team by reminding them of UGA's last visit (UK 16-10) to Lexington two years ago. Meanwhile, the Wildcats still are recovering from the loss to LSU and are unable to generate any offense. Brad Smith relieves Freddie Maggard in the fourth quarter, but UK is unable to make a comeback. Georgia's Sean Hummings gains more than 100 yards receiving the football and the Bulldogs shut down UK's ground game. Georgia 31, UK 8.
 Vanderbilt at UK, Nov. 10The Commodores arrive at an opportune time for a UK team that has begun to doubt itself. Maggard gets off to a fast start and moves the Wildcats to a 17-point halftime lead. Randy Holleran and his "Black Watch" frustrate the Commodores with an attacking defense. UK also gets a big game from Al Baker and Rodney Jackson. The Wildcats are 6-3. UK 34, Vandy 10.
 Florida at Kentucky, Nov. 17On a cold, blustery day in Lexington, a near-capacity crowd turns out to watch the speciality teams get UK off to a good start with a blocked punt. Then Maggard & Co. starts to dissest the tough Gator defense. Billy Swanson and Dean Wells have tremendous games on defense while John Bolden and Kurt Johnson each catch a TD pass. A last-minute Gator comeback is thwarted by a blitzing Swan-son as UK holds on for the victory. UK 20, Florida 17.
 UK at Tennessee, Nov. 24After UK accepts a bid to play Virginia in the Peach Bowl, it is mid-week before Curry gets his team focused on the much-hated Tennessee Vols. He reminds the Wildcat of the success he had over Johnny Majors' club while at Alabama, noting that 'Bama also hates the color orange. However, the Vols are in the thick of the SEC race and need a win over UK to remain in contention. Before a sellout crowd of more than 97,000 in Neyland Stadium, fans are treated to a high-scoring game. The Vols take an early lead, but UK narrows it to seven points with a late second-quarter field goal. A controversial call late in the game gives the Vols the break they need and Andy Kelly hits Alvin Harper on a 10-yard TD pass for the game's winning points. Curry then tells the team how proud he was of their performance. Big Blue fans get ready for the big trip to Atlanta. Tennessee 32, UK 27.
Just pure fantasy, folks, but also a hunch that UK will have a successful season.
IT'S VACATION TIME: Those who have grumbled about UK football schedules in the past can't complain
about the road games this season. First, there's a trip up east to New Jersey to play Rutgers. Of course, UK fans can find numerous activities in the New Jersey area or across the river in New York. Then comes a trip to Chapel Hill to face North Carolina. Kenan Stadium is regarded as one of the most beautiful facilities in the country and Wildcat fans certainly will enjoy the Carolinas. In October comes a trip to Oxford to face Ole Miss. The Wildcats have not played the Rebels there in quite some time. Next comes the traditional stop down in Baton Rouge to play LSU in Tiger Stadium. There's no place quite like Baton Rouge on a football Saturday night. Finally, the Wildcats will journey to Knoxville to play the Vols in one of the largest stadiums in the country. The atmosphere in Neyland Stadium for a UK-UT clash is always interesting. There you have it. A travel agent's package for any UK fooball fan.
UK NOTEBOOK
?With the suspension of offensive tackle Mike Nord, the UK football staff looks to Chuck Bradley in filling the gap. Bradley, who did show up as a starter at one time in the spring, has the size and strength to play in the Southeastern Conference. However, matters weren't helped during the summer, when he suffered job-related injuries. One of his wrists was broken, the other severely sprained. The injuries set back Bradley's off-season workout routine, but he appeared to be healed when the veterans reported back earlier this month...
?The most interesting thing about some minor changes in the UK football uniforms is the cost involved. Equipment man Tom Kalinowski said the change in wear
cost in the neignborhood of $65,000. The old uniforms will be used as practice gear. In commenting on the changes, one UK defensive player said wearing black shoes makes the team look slower on film; therefore, it should make for some interesting film sessions after the games this season. When told that Alabama linebacker Keith McCants wore the high-top black shoes last season, this Wildcat defensive player immediately said he would have no trouble wearing them this year. UK also will no longer wear all-blue uniforms this season...
?Linebacker Reggie Smith said there were more players remaining in Lexington during the summer than at any time since he has been at UK. Smith is a redshirt sophomore...
?The Sept. 1 game with Central Michigan will be the earliest home opener since Jerry Claiborne's second season at UK. when the Wildcats opened with a 31-14 triumph over that same Central Michigan. That also was Claiborne's first victory as UK coach....
?Steve Phillips has to be one of the toughest players ever to wear a Wildcat uniform. The senior split end has undergone numerous surgeries on both knees. The most recent orthorscopic surgery was performed in late July by Dr. Mary Lloyd Ireland. UK coach Bill Curry called Phillips' quick recovery amazing. Phillips now ranks right up there with former Wildcat Scott Schroeder as having the most knee operations by a UK player. Phillips caught 11 passes for 161 yards last season and is expected to share duties with Phil Logan. Phillips also is a valuable speciality teams player and is listed as the No. 1 holder on placement kicks...
?Word has it that UK could go the pay-per-view route for some selected games this season. It is not known just how many games could be televised via the per-view system, but contests with Rutgers, North Carolina and LSU are good possibilities...
?New fences have been installed around the UK practice complex at Shively Sports Center. However, the blue tarp that usually surrounds most of the fences has not been installed. Shrubbery currently surrounds most of the fences facing Cooper Drive across from Commonwealth Stadium...
?Guess who was the racing analyst for the Whitney Stakes for ESPN? None other than former UK All-
merican Dan Issel, who did the color commentary lor his old pro team, the Denver Nuggets, last season..