* Joker was not available to media after practice today, so it was Coordinator Tuesday at the Nutter Training Center.

* First up was OC Randy Sanders, who said Maxwell Smith is really growing and developing as a QB. "Last year, he was just learning basic math. We were trying to get him through Algebra I," he said. "He did a good job in spring practice and fall camp, and he's obviously progressed way beyond that. He's certainly not where I expect him to be at the end of the season or in the next year or so, but the guy's playing really well. He's seeing things well. He's anticipating throws. He's recognizing defenses, and he's been very accurate so far. Hopefully we can continue building on that."

* Asked about Morgan Newton's new role as an H-back, Sanders said: "We don't have many guys with his size and speed. You have enough guys like that. I told him last spring, if he doesn't win the starting quarterback, he wasn't going to stand beside me (on the sideline), we were going to do something with him. He's had a great attitude about it, and we're going to continue working with him to see where he can go with it."

* Asked if he was concerned about using Newton as an H-back and the injury risk at both that spot and his QB position, Sanders said: "It's a concern, no question. But you can't win the Kentucky Derby yelling 'Whoa!'" He said if it happens, they'll deal with it.

* Sanders said the OL is really playing well. He sees some room for continued growth and improvement. WKU should "have their attention pretty good" after recording 6 sacks vs. Bama. "They've got some good pass-rushers and a very experienced group up front... a lot of the same names that played up here two years ago. Now they're grown up."

* RB CoShik Williams practiced today and looked fresh, Sanders said. He should be good to go Saturday.

* Sanders said they have to continue to work on "taking shots down the field." We've heard this stressed repeatedly the last few days by UK. I think part of that is how they really feel (definitely need to be more vertical when SEC play comes) but I think some of it is also maybe sending some messages to WKU to loosen up their defensive front. They did a good job vs. Bama's ground game last week.

* Center Matt Smith told me that the team is having a blast with the hurry-up/no-huddle offense. He said you're only seeing about "half speed" of what they do every day in practice because the officials slow them down a bit on game day. They want to go even faster because they can see the defense on its heels and uncomfortable. It's been a great adjustment for the Cats so far and one that Joker & Co. really deserve some credit for doing. A lot of times, we in the media and fans are quick to criticize coaches for being too stubborn and resistant to change. Well, this is a pretty big change that has yielded a total 180 for the UK offense.

* DC Rick Minter's first question today was in regard to an internet report that suggested he had a "blow up" with Joker Phillips during the Louisville game. "No. I'm not going to talk about that. It didn't happen. What's next?"

* Minter said the UofL game showed that they needed to have more production out of the WLB position and that Taylor Wyndham's production showed he needed to be on the field at DE. Minter told Joker "I think Bud (Dupree) can do this. Let's give it a shot." He played the position after only 3-4 days of practice. "It shows you his football aptitude, a pretty sharp kid." They're going to continue working on it.

* Minter continues to stress that lack of experience at the overall LB spots is their biggest issue right now. He said that's where missing out on a bowl game really hurts because they would have had an extra month to work with those young guys and get them more familiar with getting the defense aligned properly. The D-Line has been frustrated at times because the LBs have been slow to diagnose alignments and call out the proper adjustments.

* CB Martavius Neloms was in a red jersey today. I totally let it slip my mind to ask if there was an issue. Didn't look serious. He had full pads on. Wouldn't be surprised at all if that big shot he delivered that forced a Kent State fumble left him a little dinged up as well.

He probably is still feeling the impact/soreness related to the stinger he experienced against Kent. Best to rest the extremity and get it healthy.

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--- Badinage wrote:

He probably is still feeling the impact/soreness related to the stinger he experienced against Kent. Best to rest the extremity and get it healthy.

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Unfortunately, that's my wife's diagnosis for my stinger.

Tahnks, JD.

Need to get Sweat on the field to beat the DB's.  He's got size & speed.  D Robinson lacks the former & thus can be smothered.