NEWS & VIEWS

The Who News


If you are a Wildcat football fan or in any way associated with the University of Kentucky, last Saturday was an afternoon that you'd frame if you could. Or drop in a lock box. Or freeze dry. Or vacuum pack. Or whatever as long as your chosen means of preservation worked.

Then the game started. Bad things happened to/for the Cats. Then the game ended.

Forget about relishing the day. Forget the blue skies, blowing bands and buzzing fans. Forget all of it, UK family and friends. And while you're at it, snap the frame, steamroll the lock box, stop the freezing, and slash a voluminous hole in the vacuum pack.

For the day, turns out, was just awful.

Who knew?

Who knew that the first game of Guy Morriss era, one so refreshingly and necessarily different from the prior error, er, era, rather, one packed with potential (which will manifest itself), would, at inopportune times, remind folks of last year's flounders - defense burned for big plays, big-play offense burned out?

And, worse, inability to beat the in-state rival.

And not only lose, but lose big. Who knew that the University of Louisville, a four point favorite going in would come out on top by almost four touchdowns: 36-10?

"I don't feel like they are 26 points better than us; I do think they have a better team right now," said UK senior safety Patrick Wiggins about the Cardinals. "We haven't jelled yet as a team and have a lot of things we need to do to play better."

Yeah, like get into the endzone more often, for starters.

Who knew that Kentucky's offense wouldn't score a touchdown, especially against a U of L defense abused by the New Mexico State Aggies last week?

Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen didn't. All he could offer after the game was, "I don't know why."

Lorenzen led (if you could call it that) the team on its first three possessions - quick ones. Then Shane Boyd took the reins. Who knew that the fans would cheer so loud - many of them standing - as he ran out onto the field? Standing ovations are usually reserved for those coming off the field who have given gallant efforts.

Boyd did show promise, but he wasn't Kentucky's best player on the field Saturday. And who knew that the best player wouldn't be anybody else on the offense either - or the defense? Nope. The peak performer was husky punter Glen Pakulak.

In the first half, Pakulak kept the Cats in the game by consistently pinning the Cards in their own territory with booming punts. He averaged 42.3 yards per kick, including a monster 71-yard boot on his first try.

"We spend all kinds of time on special teams. It's one of the three major parts of the game - offense, defense, special teams. And if you can win the special teams battle, that's a big key in winning the game," said Pakulak.

"I had all the time in the world (to punt), and I'm really excited about that. Maybe Louisville was worrying about a fake.

"But today didn't seem like the right time to do it."

In fact, other than special teams (consisting of Pakulak's punts, a Seth Hanson field goal, and a punt return touchdown by Derek Abney) last Saturday didn't seem like the right time for Kentucky to do anything. Offense mustered a meager 213 yards with four turnovers. Defense served up a substantial 486 yards to Louisville.

Who knew that the Cats would lack scratch, especially in such a big game?

Coach Morriss was apparently perplexed, theorizing that his team couldn't find "spark."

While the other side was ignited, stoked by Dave Ragone, U of L's junior quarterback, who threw 368 yards of fireballs all over the field.

Sure, most know (now) that Ragone is one of the better quarterback in the NCAA, and "he's better right now than any quarterback on the Bengals," said WLEX sportscaster Alan Cutler. But who knew Ragone was Louisville's best running back?

Ragone slid through the pass-rushing UK line on several plays to make crucial first downs, including a 28-yard romp (the game's longest run) during which he cut through the Cats secondary like a jigsaw. On other runs, he simply sped past the linebackers and bowled back would-be tacklers with his shoulder pads.

Like a rock.

He wanted it bad. And that's why he got it.

Everyone knew that.


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Documentable Documentary

"Coal Black Voices," a collection of images, poetry and storytelling by the Affrilachian Poets, will air September 10 at 10pm on KET. This one hour documentary features many local writers and promises to be a wonderful audiovisual journey that challenges black cultural identities as well as the idea that the southern mountain culture is solely white. Set your VCRs to record because this will be one for the archives! - Joshu Goebeler

Come and Get It

Oh sure, the Oak Ridge Boys, Joe Lieberman and Dick Cheney, Kiri Te Kanawa, and the cast of Rent say they're coming to Danville just to perform at Centre's Norton Center. Probably they're really coming to eat at Freddies, a retro little 45-seat restaurant whose regulars conspire to keep its existence a secret.

In May, Fortune selected this small-town Italian spot as the best place in the entire country to have dinner while looking at colleges. (Breakfast at Grinnell, lunch at a Dartmouth cafe, dinner at Freddies.) And a team of photographers from Travel & Leisure just photographed Freddies' justly famous pasta primavera and lasagna for an upcoming feature.

Outsiders don't believe such food could possibly exist for such prices; the most expensive complete dinner on the menu is $7.95. Owners Denise and John Baca, defying all logic, somehow make it work, though finding enough competent help is a constant problem. A friend of mine once came all the way from Kiev to taste Denise's famous spinach aliaolio (wilt fresh spinach for 30 seconds in hot olive oil and garlic, then wok with fresh mushrooms and tomatoes).

Open 11:30-2:30 and 5-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday. But don't even try to get in on a weekend night, when devoted patrons - in a dry county, no less! - line up outside on the sidewalk. - Dr. Milton Reigelman


Sculptor Ed Hamilton.

Find Your Roots

The Roots and Heritage Festival's African-American Artists' Exhibition will feature the African-American sculptor Ed Hamilton. Hamilton created The Spirit of Freedom, a Civil War Memorial dedicated to the African-American soldiers and sailors who lost their lives in that war. His current project is the creation of an 8-foot bronze statue of a slave named York who had accompanied Lewis and Clark on their expeditions. The exhibit is free and will be held September 7th at the Carnegie Center. There will be about 16 other Kentucky regional African-American artists showcased. A presentation by the artists will be held from 5-7 p.m. and an exhibit of the artist's works will be held from 7-9 pm. -JG

Goodbye

Cawood Ledford, known by many as the radio voice of the University of Kentucky Wildcats, died early Wednesday morning at the age of 75. Ledford will be remembered for his enthusiastic attitude and classic announcing style.

Infamous film critic Pauline Kael died this past Monday (September 3) at the age of 82. Kael wrote favorable reviews about directors such as Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg and Robert Altman while they were still unknowns. She helped lend legitimacy to such popular films as The Godfather, and other fare embraced by the masses but snubbed by critics.

What's Good for the Goose

The Gibson Bay golf course in Richmond, Kentucky is planning a "goose kill" this Saturday September 8th. The geese have been deemed over-populated and too friendly. Perhaps golf courses prefer elitist creatures with challenging personalities who make up about one percent of the local population? The management has allegedly sponsored this goose-kill to scare the geese away. Apparently, they've forgotten the old saying, "dead geese don't scare easy." Local animal welfare advocates are encouraging anyone who is pro-geese (or maybe just anti–golfer) to call the Gibson Bay Golf Course at 859/623-0225 or 859/623-0299 and let them know that you do not support their bourgeois attitude towards the proletariat geese of the course. -JG

 

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