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UK rebounds with strong Saturday practice
For the first time this fall, Mark Stoops was dissatisfied with the way his team practiced on Friday night.
The
Wildcats, however, didn't have to wait long for a chance to redeem
themselves. Not even 24 hours later, UK returned to the field.
"Good
practice," Stoops said. "I really felt good. We got a lot of work in
today. We got really good meetings, good walkthrough this morning, good
physical, long practice today so I feel pretty good about the practice."
Stoops
was particularly happy with the play of the offense, saying the unit
was "much sharper" than Friday night when dropped passes and sloppy
play were an issue at Fan Day in Commonwealth Stadium. With inside
anchors Donte Rumph and Mister Cobble limited due to minor injuries,
the defense is still adjusting to physical play in the second day
wearing full pads, but the overall energy on Saturday was improved.
That didn't surprise Stoops.
"I've
said it before: I really like this group's attitude, their mentality,"
Stoops said. "I feel like they care and are doing the things necessary
to be the best they can and they responded today with a good practice."
Stoops
also singled out wide receivers Alex Montgomery, Ryan Timmons and Jeff
Badet and defensive end Jason Hatcher among the standouts among UK
freshmen. Marcus McWilson, another newcomer, was a popular topic of
conversation as Stoops met with local reporters. The freshman was rated
a four-star safety out of high school, but has lined up in recent days
at nickel back, a position that requires the kind of size, athleticism
and versatility in Stoops' defense.
"We have to develop a
nickel," defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot said. "I think Marcus
McWilson has the skills to be a nickel and that's where we've been
practicing him the last two days."
McWilson won't work at nickel
on Sunday, but only because UK won't practice. The Cats will be at the
Nutter Training Facility for much of the day, but only meetings and a
walkthrough as they rest for another grueling week of camp.
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