Preparing for Southern Miss and Shannon Dawson

School started yesterday.  Camp is done and the Cats have moved on to Southern Miss prep.  Watching film for the first game is never easy.  All sports at all different levels usually have some type of preseason, but that is not the case for college football. Players and coaches are forced to rely on watching last year's film, but if the opponent has a new coordinator, they could be watching film of another school.  That wrinkle makes watching film weird for the defense now that Shannon Dawson is at Southern Miss. "We're watching our own guys to get a feel of what he (Dawson) runs," Chris Westry said. "It's so surreal when you're scouting the offense and then you see 'Kentucky' on offense.  It's mind blowing," added his partner-in-crime, Derrick Baity. D.J. Eliot said they've watch Southern Miss film form last year for personnel purposes, while watching last year's Kentucky offense to scout the scheme.  Even though he faced Dawson's offense all last season, Eliot doesn't believe there's an advantage for either side. "I think that our advantage is the same as their advantage.  I think I know him, but he knows me," Eliot said. From a personnel standpoint, the secondary is well aware of Nick Mullens' pedigree.  He has a few new weapons, but safety Marcus McWilson believes his unit is prepared. "They've got some receivers and depth.  They've got some good size; not too many burners but they have one burner on the outside so you've got to be aware of him.  You can't take any plays off because if they catch you slipping, that's where they get that one (big play)." One shared sentiment with everyone on the defense: they can't wait to play. "There's a little bit of nervousness, excitement.  I'm just ready to play more than anything," Courtney Love said.

Other Notes from Practice

--  Today's practice was fully-padded.  With more than a week until kickoff, the coaching staff wanted to focus on hitting and being physical before the pregame rest period. --  Courtney Love stepped it up the last few days of camp.  After struggling early on with assignments and alignments, D.J. Eliot liked what he saw from Love in the last scrimmage of the preseason.  Eliot also praised the way Courtney Miggins finished camp. --  Kentucky's cornerbacks once again interviewed as a team.  Derrick Baity and Chris Westry are inseparable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3uDBN-mak0 --  De'Niro Laster is still receiving some reps at outside linebacker, even though he's been getting most of his reps at the inside linebacker position.  Eliot expects four to five to be in the rotation at outside linebacker. --  Expect to see T.J. Carter on the field.  The defensive coaches have continued to praise the play of the true freshman on the defensive line.  If you want to hear more of it, listen to the KSR Football Podcast that will be released shortly.