Wildcats Return to Practice

LEXINGTON, Ky. – After a day off from practice, the Kentucky football team returned to action with a pair of workouts Tuesday at the Nutter Training Center, drawing mixed reviews from Coach Rich Brooks.

“I was pleased this morning and this afternoon I was not pleased, so it was half and half,” Brooks said. “This morning was pretty good. I wasn’t happy with the concentration and effort (in the afternoon).”

Brooks said that wide receiver Kyrus Lanxter, who has been dealing with a wrist injury, had his first day of practice without a cast. Center Jake Lanefski has returned to practice with a cast covering his broken hand.

Kentucky will have a single practice on Wednesday. The Wildcats are preparing for the season opener Aug. 31 at Louisville.

Dixon, Kelley Elected Captains: Tailback Tony Dixon and linebacker Braxton Kelley have been elected permanent team captains by the Wildcats, Coach Rich Brooks announced Tuesday.

“They’ve obviously been through a lot here,” Brooks said. “They both have played some great football. Tony has been an integral part of some big games for us, some memorable plays. Braxton has made a lot of stops. We need to get another play, in addition to LSU, to remember Braxton from this year.”

Dixon, a senior from Parrish, Ala., and Kelley, a senior from LaGrange, Ga., have been steady contributors during their careers. Dixon has rushed for 958 yards and eight touchdowns as a Wildcat. His most notable game effort came in 2006, when he accounted for 54 rushing and receiving yards on the game-winning drive of UK’s upset of Georgia. Kelley has started since his freshman season and has 189 career tackles, none bigger than the game-clinching fourth-down stop in the triple-overtime win over No. 1 LSU last year.

“It’s a big responsibility,” Dixon said. “It tells me that a lot of guys look up to me to help carry this team to success. I look forward to working with all the guys and the season.”

“It means a lot to be elected by your teammates,” Kelley said. “Being captain is more than just on the field, it’s also off the field. It’s (setting an example by) going to class, getting the best grades I can, being on time and being accountable.”

Dixon and Kelley will be joined each week by two game captains that are selected by the coaches.

FSN South and SportSouth Preview Kentucky Football: The SportSouth and FSN South cable channels will carry a 30-minute show previewing the 2008 Kentucky football team. Here is the schedule, all times Eastern:

SportSouth
Tues. Aug. 19 9 p.m.
Wed. Aug. 20 midnight
Fri. Aug. 22 11 a.m.
Fri. Aug. 22 5 p.m.
Sun. Aug. 24 9 p.m.

FSN South
Thurs. Aug. 21 7 p.m.
Fri. Aug. 22 noon

Kentucky Football Calendar: Times subject to change. Practices closed to the media and public.
Wed. Aug. 20 Practice ends at 5:40 p.m. (confirmed)
Thurs. Aug. 21 Practices end at 11:45 a.m. (tentative) and 6:15 p.m. (tentative)
Fri. Aug. 22 Practice ends at 5:45 p.m. (tentative)
Sat. Aug. 23 Practice ends TBA
Mon. Aug. 25 No practice; Rich Brooks at Jefferson County UK Alumni Luncheon
Tues. Aug. 26 Practice ends at 11:30 a.m.; news conference at Wildcat Den at approximately
11:45 a.m., selected players followed by Coach Rich Brooks
Wed. Aug. 27 Classes begin
Sun. Aug. 31 Kentucky at Louisville, 3:30 p.m., televised by ESPN