Liberty Bowl Champions

Momentum. That was the something the Wildcats were lacking heading into the Autozone Liberty Bowl Friday afternoon in Memphis. But somehow, and someway the Wildcats overcame losing 6 of 8 games heading into the bowl game and a 16-3 halftime deficit to take down the East Carolina Pirates and win thier third consecutive bowl game for the first time in school history.

" It's a tremendous accomplishment for us as a team, school, and program", said Memphis native and starting defensive tackle Jeremy Jarmon.

And what an accomplishment and turnaround the Kentucky Wildcats made.

Heading into halftime, hopes were bleak as the Cats trailed 16-3 and could only muster 142 yards of total offense.

"I really ripped into them at halftime," said Coach Brooks. "But then I took a step back and reminded them what was at stake and what they had the oppurtunity to do."

Coming out of halftime the Wildcats struck immeadeatley with a 99 yard kick off return by senior David Jones. Jones' return seemed to spark the Wildcats as the offense was able to score another touchdown through the air to tie the game at 16.

The tie did not last long as East Carolina stormed back to put up a field goal near the end of the quarter to swing momentum once again and take a 19-16 lead in the fourth quarter.

Back and forth the game went as the Pirates stopped the Cats on offense. While the Kentucky defense did the same to East Carolina. It was not until less than five minutes left in the game in a 19-19 game when East Carolina quarterback Patrick Pinkney dropped the ball to the turf and senior defensive end Ventrell Jenkins was able to scoop up the loose ball and rumble 56 yards for the score.

His score was all that was needed as the Kentucky defense was able to hold off the East Carolina offense thier final drive and get the ball back with 2:22 to play in regulation.

All 56,125 people in attendance knew what Kentucky planned to do: run the ball and run off the clock. All knowing, East Carolina was unable to stop senior Tony Dixon pick up two first downs and sew the game up for the Kentucky Wildcats.

"It is really a tremendous job by our seniors today, they have seen this program turnaround and can leave this program winnners," said Rich Brooks after the game.