On this date...in 2008, the University of Kentucky announced it would be holding Big Blue Madness a week earlier (October 10th) than everyone else, giving the Kentucky brand the college basketball stage to itself. This decision allowed more recruits to come to Lexington and still keep their other visits in line. Those recruits would have to cherry pick which school’s they would visit the following week. The UK Athletic Department found a loophole that allowed two hours of practice per week after September 15th. The NCAA rule book prohibited practice before October 17th. So, in essence, the NCAA won’t allow you to practice before October 17th, but they will allow you to two-hours of practice per week after September 15th. I don’t understand it either.

On this date...in 2008, following a dominant performance against rival Louisville, Kentucky defensive tackle Myron Pryor was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week. Pryor, a Louisville native, played a role in two defensive touchdowns. He forced a fumble in the second quarter that Ashton Cobb picked up and ran 28 yards for a touchdown. The second came when the big man scooped up a fumble forced by linebacker Johnny Williams. Myron “310 lbs. Of Glory” Pryor raced 72 yards the other way for the games final touchdown. Final score: UK 27 - UL 2. It was the first time in 16 years a Wildcat had been named SEC Defensive Player of the Week. Dean Wells was the last. Jeremy Jarmon had been named SEC Lineman of the Week, but not overall Defensive Player of the Week.

On this date...in 2002, your University of Kentucky Wildcats put the clamps down on the prolific Louisville offense allowing only 248 total yards in the 22-17 upset of the #17 ranked Cardinals. This snapped a three-game losing streak to the Cards and was a giant step forward for the Wildcat defense, as they were ranked 109th nationally the previous year. Jeremy Caudill’s violent sack on Dave Ragone late in the fourth quarter helped key the win for the Cats. Ragone lay motionless on the ground as Caudill stood overtop punching the air like a boxer. On the next play, Mike Williams intercepted Ragone to seal the deal. Kentucky RB had 123 total yards to help key the offense.

a baby "Woo" was born in Poland to Marian and Grazylua Obrzut. Fan favorite Lukasz Obrzut was best known as an enforcer on the basketball court from 2003-2007. "Woo" finished his career with 196 points - 135 rebounds - 170 fouls. He was a part of a select group of players who really embraced being in the spotlight for Big Blue Nation. The Season Never Ends calendar says Woo's career highlight came against #4 Louisville during his junior season. He was inserted into the starting lineup and helped get the Cats to a 39-24 advantage by halftime. While only having four points, I'm sure he fouled the begeezus out of the Cards literally scaring them away from the basket. Woo's career high came against Vanderbilt and High Point, when he scored nine points in limited action. Woo is now a member of Lexington's new ABA team, the Bluegrass Stallions.

your University of Kentucky Wildcats gave its little brother the beatdown it deserved as they went into Little Caesar's Stadium and came out with a 27-2 victory. Steve Brown's defense controlled the game throughout, causing five turnovers, and shutting the Card offense down at will. Louisville's trendy preseason quarterback Hunter Cantwell turned the ball over four times in the fourth quarter alone to send the third largest crowd in Totino's Stadium history to the exits. It couldn't have been a more perfect way to start a career, as Mike Hartline watched his defense do most of the scoring in his first ever start. He won the job by default, as head coach Rich Brooks dismissed Curtis Pulley for a violation of team rules a few weeks earlier. Hartline also was responsible for Louisville's only score, as he was called for intentional grounding in the end zone.

your University of Kentucky Wildcats head football coach Rich Brooks finally announced who would start at quarterback in the season opener vs. Louisville. It had been a very heated and competitive battle throughout the spring and summer, but junior Andre Woodson showed the greater improvement coming down the stretch. Coach Brooks said Andre seemed to have more desire to lead the Cats than his counterpart Curtis Pulley. In addition, Woodson was much better in getting the ball down the field, more of a pocket passer which they were looking. The Cats were confident in their running game, and were looking for ways to stretch the defense.

nature model/all-time Kentucky basketball great Kenny "Sky" Walker helped lead the Uncle Sam's to the FIFA Junior World Championship. They won the gold medal game over the Russia Gorbachevs, 82-78. Walker's team-high 24 points sent a message to the communist world that Americans would not only destroy them in basketball, but produce a photo essay like the one here that is still unrivaled to this day. It was the second World Junior Basketball Championship for the Americans.