Joker's final weekly press luncheon of his UK coaching stint will get under way here in a few minutes. I'll update this thread with some of the main topics for the Cats going into the season finale against the Vols.

UK announced that Donte Rumph was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the week for his game vs. Samford: 5 TK, 1 SK

Joker said WR Demarco Robinson is day-to-day, status uncertain for UT game.

Joker mentioned today that former Cat Michael Scott, a coach at Milton HS in Georgia, is the player he referenced a few weeks ago about battling pancreatic cancer. There's a special Facebook page (Prayers for Michael Scott) and a support site (linked below) for him. Joker asked fans to give whatever they're able to give to help the family.

http://www.giveforward.com/miracleformike

Joker says the current staff is trying to leave the players with positive feelings and high expectations, even when they're gone. Staying on top of the guys to realize why they came to UK to begin with.

Joker says the UT passing game is a big challenge. The Vols have thrown 400+ times and only taken seven sacks (tops in SEC by a wide margin). They protect well and Bray does a good job of getting rid of the ball when the play's not there.

Joker doesn't have UK gear on today. One of our colleagues mentions that it may be the first time we've seen him without some UK attire on. He says he's "transitioning" and jokes that he has about 50 family members coming for Thanksgiving who will get to divy up the rest of his gear.

Joker says one of his big goals when he took this job was to make UK-UT a rivalry again. "It's a big game, a big game for me."

Asked what he's going to do next, Joker said "What I want to do now is relax... I'm not closing the door on anything. Do you have a job at your place? I'd like to write my story from home in my pajamas, hit send." 

Joker closes by thanking media for being fair to him. "Maybe someday our paths will cross again."

Joker said UT receivers Hunter and Patterson are both potential 1st-round NFL draft picks. They are 3rd and 10th in the SEC, respectively, in receiving yards per game and have 12 TDs between them. Hunter is the big-play guy with 70 receptions for 1,018 yards and 8 TDs.

Asked about making this a rivalry game again...

“It would mean a lot to finish out for these seniors,” Phillips said. “There’s a lot of history like that we’re trying to change. That would be a plus, one of the things that this class has changed, if we can get it done.”

Nice.  His relationship with the media has always seemed positive.

JDrum wrote: Asked what he's going to do next, Joker said "What I want to do now is relax... I'm not closing the door on anything. Do you have a job at your place? I'd like to write my story from home in my pajamas, hit send." 

I sincerely appreciate Joker's service to UK and I really hope he will go out having some fun
like he did the very first game he called as OC against the Vols!

Any idea if we are still practicing that tackle-screen-in-the-flats play for use against the Vols
this Saturday?  

If we could just break that thing we might really get some momentum going!

Former Wildcat football player and UK graduate, Michael Thomas Scott, 36, passed away on Saturday night after a 5 week battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He was a teacher and coach at Milton HS north of Atlanta and lived near Cherokee HS in Canton, GA. The local community has rallied behind the Scott family including opposing teams who sold "Lift Up Coach Scott" wrist bands to raise thousands of dollars to pay his medical bills and other bills while he was not able to work. His illness was a reminder to the community of the power one person has to influence lives and our responsibility to care for and support our own.

Joker Phillips mentioned Mike's battle at his final press conference and came to visit him at his home...a very special visit for Mike! For additional information, try these links:

- http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local-obituaries/mike -scott-36-milton-high-football-coach-beloved-a/nTM qj/

- http://milton.11alive.com/news/news/147035-milton- hs-coach-loses-battle-cancer
- http://www.facebook.com/PrayersForMichaelScott

We are still rallying to support Mike's wife and 2 young kids (ages 6 and 2). Donations are welcome at http://www.giveforward.com/miracleformike

notoriousdad wrote:

Former Wildcat football player and UK graduate, Michael Thomas Scott, 36, passed away on Saturday night after a 5 week battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He was a teacher and coach at Milton HS north of Atlanta and lived near Cherokee HS in Canton, GA. The local community has rallied behind the Scott family including opposing teams who sold "Lift Up Coach Scott" wrist bands to raise thousands of dollars to pay his medical bills and other bills while he was not able to work. His illness was a reminder to the community of the power one person has to influence lives and our responsibility to care for and support our own.

Joker Phillips mentioned Mike's battle at his final press conference and came to visit him at his home...a very special visit for Mike! For additional information, try these links:

- http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local-obituaries/mike -scott-36-milton-high-football-coach-beloved-a/nTM qj/

- http://milton.11alive.com/news/news/147035-milton- hs-coach-loses-battle-cancer
- http://www.facebook.com/PrayersForMichaelScott

We are still rallying to support Mike's wife and 2 young kids (ages 6 and 2). Donations are welcome at http://www.giveforward.com/miracleformike

Dude,  make this a topic so that Drum can pin it at the top permanently.  It will get lost here.

Will do.