Look up the word "turmoil" in your dictionary and it’s likely you’ll find the Kentucky logo embedded somewhere in the definition. Kentucky, embroiled in a recruiting scandal that has brought them under the jaundiced glare of media and NCAA scrutiny, must also rebuild a team shaken by a loss of confidence. New head coach Guy Morriss, in his first year ever as a head coach, must feel as if he was handed the command of the Titanic just after the iceberg hit.

Morriss will retain Hal Mumme’s wide-open look, but he intends to emphasize the running game more. The biggest question mark – pun intended – is near-300-pound quarterback Jared Lorenzen, who can throw it a mile but must minimize mistakes.

QUARTERBACKS

Lorenzen averaged 335.2 yards per game passing in 2000, but he had more interceptions (21) than touchdowns (19), and the number of touchdowns thrown is far below what should be had in an offense like this. As a result of that performance, and Lorenzen’s ever-ballooning weight, the job might go to redshirt freshman Shane Boyd. Boyd is a hard thrower, but has no experience. Lorenzen’s experience and toughness might tip the scales in his favor, as Kentucky needs to establish something positive in order to build morale.

RUNNING BACKS

Artose Pinner is a bruiser who lacks speed, while Chad Scott is a speedster who lacks bulk. Unfortunately, rules do not allow Kentucky to play both at one time and it’s too late for genetic experiments. As such, Scott’s speed netted him the job coming out of spring. When Kentucky goes large, Mike Kamphake or Joel Bryan can do a reasonable impersonation of a fullback. It is unlikely, however, that Kentucky can hang its hopes on the running game.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Definitely the strength of the offense, and perhaps the team as a whole. Tight end Derek Smith is one of the best in the conference and the nation in general. He has soft hands, runs good routes and blocks well enough to be a weapon in the running game. Sophomore Eric Arling backs him up. As for the wideouts, Dougie Allen has blistering speed, but needs to get more consistent. Derek Abney doesn’t turn many heads, but he often finds ways to get open that defy explanation. Anthony Kelly and Ernest Simms bring experience. Brad Pyatt and others make this a very deep position.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Morriss has spent more time on line development than did Mumme, and it will probably pay nice dividends. There is considerable talent among a group that includes Antonio Hall and Matt Brown at the tackles and Kip Sixberry and Josh Parrish at the guards. Center Keith Chatelain returns, but lost his starting job in the spring to Nolan DeVaughn. That position, as well as Parrish’s, are the main concerns. Depth is shaky, however, with two redshirt freshmen (Matt Huff and Jason Rollins) manning the reserve tackle slots. The biggest overall question is how the line will respond to more run blocking assignments.

Problems, problems, problems. The defensive line is talented but has not been effective, while the rear seven are a mishmash of talented players just now coming out of the doghouse and raw athletes with questionable SEC football skills. Kentucky was last in the SEC in all defensive categories except rushing defense, where they finished 10^th. Kentucky will move to a 4-2-5 base set for 2001.

DEFENSIVE LINE

If this foursome played up to its potential, Kentucky would be in the top half of the SEC in defensive line strength. Dewayne Robertson had a good freshman year and draws a starting tackle spot next to the up-and-coming Jeremy Caudill, also a sophomore. End Dennis Johnson arrived on campus with the hype of being the next Lawrence Taylor or Bruce Smith, but has not lived up to his potential yet. Chris Demaree gets the other starting end post, and while he has three letters of experience, is somewhat of an unknown quantity. The backups all have experience, and Otis Grigsby has been a starter before. Lots of bodies, lots of potential – mediocre results so far, especially in run containment.

LINEBACKERS

Ryan Murphy and Jamal White both have three letters of experience, but neither has been effective. Ronnie Riley loses his starting job as Kentucky subtracts a linebacker, but he will push White for his spot. Morris Lane also has some experience. This group must play better, no ifs, ands or buts about it.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Safeties Anthony Wadja and David Johnson are better than average players, but they are surrounded by a suspect supporting cast. Chris Gayton and Patrick Wiggins will compete for the third safety position, with Octavius Bond and Quentus Cumby also in the mix. The cornerbacks simply inspire fans to bow their heads in prayer. Derrick Tatum can play, but he must show it. Freshman Earven Flowers and senior Jeremy Bowie are competing for the other position, with Leonard Burress also in the mix. Cats fans, avoid the rush – worry early.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Placekicker Seth Hanson is one of the conference’s most accurate, but lacks leg strength. As such, he will probably lose his punting job to junior Glenn Pakulak, although nothing is finalized right now. What pulls this position grade down significantly is the return game, which is absolutely nonexistent at this point. There is much improvement to be made in fall practice.

This just isn’t pretty. On top of everything else that happened to Kentucky in the offseason, linebacker Chad Anderson, arguably the best player the Cats signed in the spring, won’t qualify. Guy Morriss also has the misfortune of catching Indiana and Louisville in a relatively strong position. If Kentucky can get off to a good start, they could feasibly salvage four or five wins – but if they get hammered at the beginning of the season, any win would be hard to come by. Morriss’ job might not be totally secure, either, as he was originally viewed as only an interim coach. Unfortunately for Kentucky football fans, the recent resurgence of the program is in grave danger of becoming totally unwound.

2001 Football Schedule

 

Date	Opponent	Location	TV	Outcome/Time
09/01/2001	Louisville	Lexington, Ky.	JP	12:30 PM ET
09/08/2001	Ball St	Lexington, Ky.		1:30 PM ET
09/15/2001	Indiana	Bloomington, Ind.		TBA
09/22/2001	Florida	Lexington, Ky.		1:30 PM ET
09/29/2001	Ole Miss	Lexington, Ky.		1:30 PM ET
10/06/2001	South Carolina	Columbia, S.C.		1:00 PM ET
10/13/2001	LSU	Lexington, Ky.		7:00 PM ET
10/20/2001	Georgia	Athens, Ga.		TBA
10/27/2001	OPEN	N/A
11/03/2001	Mississippi St	Starkville, Miss.		2:30 PM ET
11/10/2001	Vanderbilt	Nashville, Tenn.		2:00 PM ET
11/17/2001	Tennessee	Lexington, Ky.		1:30 PM ET

2001 Kentucky Football Roster