xt7dz02z3q0t https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7dz02z3q0t/data/mets.xml Wildcat News Company 1988 Volume 13 -- Number 6 athletic publications  English Wildcat News Company Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. The Cats' Pause UKAW University of Kentucky Men's Basketball (1988-1989) coaches Sutton, Eddie players Mills, Chris assistant coaches Casey, Dwane Marzan, Henry Morgan, Read NCAA investigation (1988) University of Kentucky Football (1988) Logan, Phil Bryant, Paul (Bear) Claiborne, Jerry statistics schedules recruiting Cats' Pause Combs, Oscar The Cats' Pause,  October 8, 1988 text The Cats' Pause,  October 8, 1988 1988 2012 true xt7dz02z3q0t section xt7dz02z3q0t  11
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"SPOTLIGHTING UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY AND SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE'
VOLUME 13 - NUMBER 6
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8. 1988
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Mike Pfeifer is under the care of UK trainers Al Green (left) and Sue Stanley (right) after the offensive tackle went down in the second half with a season-ending knee injury. For more information on last Saturday's wild affair between Alabama and Kentucky, please see page 4.
Wildcats' running game impressed Alabama's Derrick Thomas; shocked at UK's first score
By Brett Hait
Prior to Saturday's game with Alabama, Kentucky ranked last, dead last, in rushing in the Southeastern Conerence.
Mention that to Crimson Tide star linebacker Derrick Thomas, however, and you will likely get a puzzled look.
"They have a great running game," Thomas said of the Wildcats after 'Bama's heartstop-ping 31-27 victory over UK at Commonwealth Stadium.
After the performance put on by Kentucky tailbacks Alfred Rawls, Al Baker and Ivy Joe Hunter, Thomas' analysis is understandable. Rawls, in particular, enjoyed a spectacular day, rambling for 132 yards on 13 carries, including a 57-yard jaunt.
Even though Kentucky offensive lineman Mike Pfeifer went down with a knee injury, the rest of the front wall opened just enough daylight for UK to enjoy its best day on the ground in the 1988 season.
But after the game, Thomas, Alabama coach Bill Curry and others credited the hard-driving style of the Wildcat backs and blamed the Crimson Tide's missed tackles for the reason Kentucky was able to roll up 298 yards rushing against a strong Tide defense.
"I don't think they (UK) were that physical," Thomas said. "They had good running backs. The offensive line was good, but they weren't as dominant as I had expected."
Along with Rawls 57-yard run, Baker added a 42-yard touchdown dash that he capped with a dive into the end zone. Almost before Alabama knew what had hit it, the Wildcats had taken a seemingly commanding 17-0 halftime advantage.
However, the deficit could have been prevented, Thomas said.
"The situation would never have gotten to where it was if we had just tackled better," he said. "We could have stopped any one of those longs run within 10 yards, but those were missed tackles."
The play of Alabama's offense will be given credit for comng back and beating Kentucky, but it may have been clutch performances by the Crimson Tide defense that eventually reversed the momentum.
Thomas admitted that the Tide was somewhat frustrated when UK receiver Ray Gover caught a tipped pass thrown from John Bolden and went in for a 37-yard touchdown.
"That pass play that they scored that first touchdown on was unbelievable," said
Thomas, a 6-4, 230-pound senior from Miami. "The man tipped the ball and the other man caught it and ran it in. That's the kind of thing you see on the ESPN highlights."
But 'Bama's defense, led by Thomas' game-high 11 tackles, tighened its belt and went to work.
Late in the first half, with UK ahead 17-0 and driving for another touchdown, Alabama dodged a bullett when defensive back Lee Ozmint picked off a Glenn Fohr pass at the Tide goal line.
"The biggest play was right before halftime, when Lee Ozmint intercepted that ball, because it would have been a different situation if they had scored before the half." Thomas said. "And we would have been chasing from way back. I think that was the biggest play of the game."
The inability to score on that drive may have taken the wind out of Kentucky's sails. The Wildcats were able to get into the end zone only once more, and the Tide defense held its ground on UK's last possession, forcing a punt.
That set up Alabama's winning drive, capped when quarterback Vince Sutton hit Gene Newberry for a three-yard scoring pass.
I
(55) Thomas says UK's runners are good, but lack of 'Bama's tackling helped matters October-8, /pc?C?
OSCAR L. COMBS
Can't fault 'Cats for their great effort against Tide
The morning after.
The sting is still there. You still hurt all over. Yet another devastating loss has been bestowed upon the Kentucky football program. You wonder if it will ever end.
Only the Lord knows.
But believe me, you cannot fault either the Wildcat football players or the coaching staff. Well, perhaps some of you will, but it will be only those who think they're the most knowledgeable football minds of the world.
Fact is, this team gave it the ultimate 110 percent effort from beginning to end. The coaching staff did likewise. Yet the 'Cats still came up short.
In the visiting team's locker room there was much grumbling about how poorly the Crimson Tide played, of how fortunate they were to sneak out of Commonwealth Stadium with a victory. They were accurate on both counts.
Nevertheless, it was Kentucky which should have left the turf Saturday afternoon with their heads held high, with a glorious victory celebration.
I've preached too long and too hard to go through another one of my sermons on the hard knocks and short life of living in the SEC's pro football world. It would serve no purpose here.
We'll leave the subject of the Kentucky-Alabama football game with just a short comment to the players and staff:
"You gave it your all, you performed past your expectactions and you have to apologize to no one. Regardless of what some may say, Saturday's effort gives new meaning to the phrase, 'It matters not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game.' "
? ? ?
Thankfully, the Wildcats have a week off before having to journey down and play the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge. They'll need the time to forget about the Alabama heartbreaker and get their minds back on the game.
With a 2-3 record, it will be extremely tough, if not impossible, for the Wildcats to record a winning mark this season.
The Alabama game loomed as a prime target to upset a major member of the SEC, what with the game being played at home and the fact that everyone knows the Tide is not as talented as it usually is.
Now, Kentucky will have to eye an upset from either LSU, Georgia or Florida.
After Tennessee's record-shattering 0-5 start, the Vols look more inviting each Saturday. As it now stands, UK could have a shot at both Vanderbilt and Tennessee. If UK could win those two and beat Southern Illinois as the 'Cats should, then one big upset would give UK a winning mark.
LSU and Georgia figure to be tough, tough customers. In the preseason, Florida appeared to be suspect, but the Gators are off in the opposite direction of Tennessee with a perfect 5-0 mark, thanks in part to dropping Miami from its season opener.
So Florida looks to be invincible, but the 'Cats have surprised the Gators more than once over the years.
The most disheartening news from the UK camp is the loss of all-star junior offensive lineman Mike Pfeifer, perhaps for the remainder of the season.
Mike underwent knee surgery late Sunday after he suffered a severe knee injury in the Alabama game. Officials said he turned and tried to recover a fumbled snap when the injury occurred.
Team officials said Mike would be on crutches for at least six weeks. He will have one year of eligibility left after this fall.
Mike redshirted his freshman year at UK so he wasn't eligible for a redshirt and since this was his fifth game of the year, Mike wouldn't have been eligibile for a medical redshirt anyway. Any injury must occur during the season's first three games to qualify for a medical redshirt.
The injury to Pfeifer, who was the starter at right tackle, further weakens the position. Just one week earlier, in the Kent State game, Tom Crumrine. who had been running second-string behind Pfeifer, was lost for the year. Now Bo Smith, who has been playing both tackle spots well in a reserve role, will become the starter on the right side. And the only other offensive tackle on the depth chartbesides starter Mike Nord on the left sideis 6-4, 257-pound true freshman Greg Lahr of Pickerington, Ohio.
? ? ?
It's the time of year when our annual, gigantic, one-of-a-kind basketball yearbook is published and you can order your personal copy by mail starting today.
Copies of the yearbook will be shipped on a first-come, first-served bases starting Oct. 14.
This year's edition will be packed with 308 pages of stories, pictures, features, statistics and information on everything from the Wildcats to the local Kentucky high schools.
You'll have a complete report on each and every one of Kentucky's regular-season opponents (including all teams in the Great Alaska Shootout and the UKIT), as well as every college basketball team in the state of Kentucky.
There will be special articles on all 13 of the Wildcats, including Shawn Kemp and Sean Woods, who will be sidelined this winter but should be in action after a year of academic seasoning.
Our report on prep recruiting is second to none, whether you're wanting to get all the inside information from the great Bob Gibbons' All-Star Report, or read about the famous Nike/ABCD Ail-American Camp, Kentucky's top 100 or the major all-star classics over the summer.
Special bonuses come from such well-known Kentucky writers as Russell Rice and Earl Cox. Rice gives us insight into UK's early relationship with the Kentucky High School Athletic Association's state tournament, and the benefits reaped by both, while Cox gives you his all-time
Kentucky basketball squad.
And there's much, much more. We'll have our preseason Top 50 poll, which has Michigan (remember Terry Mills?) No. 1, and we'll talk briefly about the future of UK basketball.
For more information on how to order, and for a broader glimpse at the contents, look for the subscription advertisement in this issue of TCP. Cost is $9.10 which includes UPS shipping and handling.
Freshman Chris Mills is just one of 13 UK players profiled in our now-available TCP Kentucky Basketball Yearbook.
For those extremely true Blue fans, we have a deluxe, hard-cover edition available this year to the first 500 fans. Its cost is $15, which also includes UPS shipping and handling. However, the hard-cover edition will not be available for shipping until Nov. 1.
? ? ?
Speaking of basketball, UK coach Eddie Sutton held a press conference last Friday to discuss UK basketball and the ongoing NCAA investigation of his program.
The session lasted almost one hour and dealt almost exclusively with the NCAA probe. It was the first time Sutton had held such a press conference (he had given two earlier exclusive interviews) since a Los Angeles newspaper report last spring charged that an Emery Freight package containing $1,000 came open during handling in Los Angeles. The package was sent by UK assistant Dwane Casey to the father of UK signee Chris Mills. The NCAA promptly said it would investigate, and in July the NCAA issued an official letter of inquiry concerning the incident.
The NCAA also said UK could expect to receive a second LOI within 30 days dealing with perhaps 10 other charges. UK is still awaiting the second LOI, although the 30-day period has long passed.
During the press conference (which is printed in its entirety inside this edition of TCP), Sutton defends himself, his coaches and his program.
Sutton said he wanted to speak out in defense of his program and himself all along but did not do so because UK
president Dr. David Roselle said all unversity statements would be made by his office.
About three weeks ago, athletics director Cliff Hagan issued his first statement. Both Hagan and Sutton said they were going public with the blessing of Roselle.
Without being too opinionated, I think you'll find Sutton's comments very interesting to say the least. For the sake of accuracy, we decided to publish the entire press conference rather than just taking excerpts.
? ? ?
Now some good basketball news!
The official tipoff for the new basketball season will arrive with the opening day of practice on Saturday, Oct. 15.
After that, it will be down to the rough assignment of preparing for the Hall of Fame Classic and the Duke Blue Devils.
This Duke team will be ranked in most everyone's top five, and we have them No. 2 in the country behind Michigan.
A week later, the 'Cats will be off to the Great Northwest and the Great Alaska Shootout. The Shootout this year includes such teams as Florida, Iona, Kansas, California, Utah, Seton Hall and Alaska-Anchorage.
And all three UK games will be beamed back to the Bluegrass.
WTVQ-TV, Channel 36 in Lexington, has secured the right to all three games. The first game will also be seen on ESPN. The sports cable network will carry all first round games and the remaining part of the championship bracket.
? ? ?
HITS AND MISSES . . . Films of the Kentucky-Alabama game clearly show movement on the Alabama offensive line during the play which Alabama scored the winning touchdown. In fact, two differed players moved, but the officials failed to detect the obvious. Jerry Claiborne said he would not protest since there could be no reversal, but indicated he would note it in his grading report to the league office, and just "hope it doesn't happen again." What a class guy! ... Is WTVQ-TV coming after the UK sports market? The local TV station has successfully won rights for the three UK games in Alaska and will now have at least five UK games live this winter. The local ABC affiliate will have the Big Four Classic as well as the Kentucky-Georgia game in Athens. WTVQ once won local TV rights to UK games, but a UK selection group threw out the bids and rebidded the deal with WKYT-TV winning the second time. WTVQ-TV got the rights to the Alaskan games not through UK, but through the tournament committee. ABC-TV will televise the championship of the Southeastern Conference tournament next March, but it won't be on Channel 36. Jefferson-Pilot, which contracts out SEC games for the conference, has a clause in ABC-TV's [Continued on page 20] Tide, unfit to be tied, wins 31-27
'Bama rallies from 17-0 deficit as third-string QB tosses three-yard TD pass in final seconds to nix 'Cat upset bid
By TCP staff writer Jim Easterwood
Defensive end Jay Dortch walked off the field with a white towel hiding his face.
He was oblivious to the red-clad Alabama fans above. In fact, he was oblivious to everyone.
Kentucky coach Jerry Claiborne was right behind his star defender. He smacked his right fist into his left palm as he walked, stoney-faced, into the tunnel leading into the locker rooms.
He, too, seemed to be in semi-shock.
The Kentucky defensive sanctuary underneath Commonwealth Stadium also was a tomb of gloom and utter despair.
Left defensive guard Jerry Bell, who had played his heart out, stared straight ahead, his eyes transfixed.
"Right now I'm in shock," said the intense 278-pounder. "I don't know what happened the second half. I have no idea. The team effort was there. . .but I just don't know what happened. I just don't know."
HISTORY WILL SHOW the Tide rushed in to overcome a 17-0 halftime deficit, scored 24 fourth-quarter points to win 31-27.
The record books will reveal the 12th-ranked Tide rolling 86 yards in the final 1:47 of play to score the winning touchdown.
Disdaining the tie, Alabama's third-string quarterback, Vince Sutton, hit little-used tight end Gene Newberry with a three-yard pass in the right corner of the end zone with 10 seconds left on the clock.
Kentucky then got off one desperation play for naught as a few of the players got caught with their heads down.
"My immediate thought was that we could score again," said Kentucky quarterback Glenn Fohr. "But some guys had their heads hanging already. That's what I was mad about."
Fohr had a right to be mad. For, in fact, 'Bama also could have hung their heads when Kentucky took a 27-16 lead with 9:39 to play.
But Greg Gilbert wouldn't quit. He separated Alfred Rawls from the ball with Kermit Kendrick recovering at the 24. Sutton then floated a perfectly-timed seven-yard pass to Greg Payne for a touchdown. Philip Doyle's PAT made it 27-24, with 5:06 left.
'BAMA BOUNCED one more time. Crunch time began at their 14.
Sutton scrambled 17 yards for a crucial first down on fourth down, hit Howard Cross for 16 and then Todd Richardson on a 45-yard pass to the five.
And then, again on fourth down, Sutton faked a pitchout to Hill going to the left, whirled back to his right, and found a wide-open Newberry. Newberry had badly beaten UK safety Ron Robinson in the corner.
"We were in a man (defense) with a blitz to one side," said linebacker Randy Holleran, the leading 'Cat tackier with nine. "What they (the coaches) give, I call. Apparently they thought it was a good call. We were going to try and pressure them and somebody missed a man coverage."
Claiborne, however, insisted that the 'Bama left tackle was moving before the ball was snapped to Sutton.
"There was illegal procedure, definitely," said Claiborne at first. "Nobody called it. I think it was the left tackle." But Claiborne then hedged a little. "Well, I have to look at the films before I can say definitely."
Tide split end Todd Richardson (23) was able to outmaneuver UK's David Johnson to turn this bad throw by Sutton into a 45-yard reception, setting up Alabama's winning touchdown.
The 45-yard pass to Richardson was, simply put, a brilliant catch. Richardson maneuvered to the inside in front of Johnson and came down with the ball.
"You are supposed to look at the man and I heard the crowd roar and knew the ball was in the air," said Johnson. "To be honest with you I thought I played it pretty good. . .but he played it perfect."
Kentucky was almost perfect as the 'Cats took it to 'Bama in the first half to roll back the Tide 17-0.
The Wildcats jumped off to a 7-0 lead when Fohr played carom ball with John Bolden, who tipped his pass into the waiting arms of Ray Gover. Gover sped away from John Mangum for the touchdown.
The Wildcats then made it 10-0 on a 38-yard field goal by Willis and Al Baker up-ped it to 17-0 with a 42-yard scoring scamper.
Despite the second-quarter loss of spiritual leader Mike Pfeifer, the much-maligned 'Cat offensive line was doing wonders. Pfeifer, unfortunately, went down for the year with knee damage.
BUT STRANGE THINGS began to happen just before the half. Strange plays that seemed to be a harbinger of a shock to come.
Fohr drove the 'Cats 64 yards to the Alabama two following a missed Tide field goal.
But, on a second down, Rawls was thrown for a two-yard loss. And then on third down Fohr, trapped, desperately got off a pass left-handed. . .a tricky feat since he is right-handed all the way.
The ball was intercepted by Lee Ozmint on the one.
"No, I've never tried it before and I wish I hadn't done it," said Fohr. "I should have ate the ball and we'd have had a field goal out of it. Heck, it's hard enough to throw right-handed."
More misfortune followed in the second half. It began, innocently enough, with a nine-yard sack by Keith McCants that caused Fohr to cough up the ball. George Bethune recovered on the 14. Kentucky stiffened, but on fourth down,
HUGE OLIVER BARNETT agreed with Claiborne.
"The left tackle did move," said Baraett. "We all pointed toward the guy and the ref didn't call it. I didn't think there was anything I could do to change his mind."
However, Bell differed with his coach and teammates.
"Nah, his feet were still," said Bell. "He just kind of bobbled. He didn't take a step or nothing."
The game films proved Barnett and Claiborne right, partly. In fact, two, not one, 'Bama lineman moved prematurely.
However, if the ref missed this one, the 'Cats missed several opportunities to keep the game from coming down to that goal-line
Play-Just what was missing on that last 'Bama march? Holleran had no plausible answers.
"We stop them on fourth down in their end and we win it," said Holleran. "We didn't rise up. . .for whatever reason. It's disappointing. It breaks your heart."
Fohr, who directed a 'Cat offense that piled up 410 net yards, also had no ready answer to the 'Cats inability to hold onto something precious.
"I don't know what it is," said Fohr, who threw for 182 yards. "Maybe somebody has a curse on us. . .or something. We need to get a little more. . .1 don't know what the word is. . .we need to learn how to win the close ones."
'BAMA HAS WHAT IT TAKES. Winning teams usually find ways to win. And Kentucky seems to look for ways to lose even when they are winning.
Sutton was looking for a way to win when he ducked through the 'Cat rushing lanes for the play that ultimately decided UK's fate.
"That was a defensive letdown," said Barnett of Sutton's desparation run up the 'Cats' gut. He slid to a stop on the Alabama 34 after a 17-yard run.
"We've got to learn to play four quarters. . .not just three. Or, we have to play every second," said Barnett, pinpointing UK's penchant for relaxing too soon.
KENTUCKY ALABAMA
First downs.................................................16 16
Rushes-yards.......................................52-228 42-195
Passing yards...........................................182 180
Attempts-completions-interceptions..........16*1 27-12-2
Total yarns................................................410 375
Return yards...............................................16 30
Punts-average........................................5-40.6 645.7
Fumbles-tost..............................................3-2 1-0
Penalties-yards.........................................5-35 5-60
Possession time.....................................31:41 28:19
Kentucky...................................10   7   3 727
Alabama.................................... 0   0   7 24  31
KYGover 37 pass from Fohr (Willis kick)
KYWillis, 38 FG
KYBaker 42 run (Willis kick)
UA Doyle 12 pass from Mohr (Doyle kick)
KYWillis 28 FG
UADoyle 23 FG
UAHill 76 run (pass failed)
KYMurray 1 run (Willis kick)
UAPayne 7 pass from Sutton (Hill run)
UANewberry 3 pass from Sutton (Doyle kick)
	KENTUCKY					
RUSHING	ATT	GAIN	LOST	NET TDS		LONG
Fohr	6	0	41	(-41)	0	(-1)
Hunter	19	67	8	59	0	14
Murray	3	5	0	5	1	3
Bilberry	2	12	0	12	0	6
Baker	9	69	8	61	1	42
Rawls	13	145	13	132	0	57
TOTALS	52	298	70	228	2	57
PASSING	ATT	COMP	INT	YDS TDS		LONG
Fohr	16	8	1	182		44
TOTALS	16	8	1	182	1	44
PASS RECEIVING			NO	YDS TDS		LONG
Gover			2	56	1	37
Hunter			1	(-7)	0	(-7)
Jones			2	39	0	26
Logan			2	81	0	44
Murray			1	13	0	13
TOTALS			8	182	1	44
PUNTING			NO	YDS	AVG	LONG
Nelson			4	203	50.8	58
Team			1			
TOTALS			5	203	40.6	58
FIELD GOALS			ATT	MADE		LONG
Willis			?		2	38
TOTALS			3		2	38
	PUNTS		KICKOFFS			INTS
ALL RETURNS	NO	YDS	NO YDS		NO YDS	
Tolbert	5	15		- 		 
Maggard				1 6		 
Rawls				2 31		 
Hunter				1 21		 
Massey				- 		1 (-3)
Johnson				- 		1 4
TOTALS	5	15		4 58		1
ALABAMA
RUSHING	ATT	GAIN	LOST	NET TDS		LONG
Dunn	3	14	3	11	0	7
Stewart	8	29	2	27	0	9
Hill	21	145	2	143	1	76
Kent	3	8	0	8	0	3
Casteal	1'	2	0	2	0	2
Sutton	4	20	19	1	0	17
Turner	2	5	2	3	0	5
TOTALS	42	223	28	195	1	76
PASSING	ATT	COMP	INT	YDS TDS		LONG
Dunn	12	3	2	62	0	36
Sutton	14	8	0	106	2	45
Mohr	1	1	0	12	I	12
TOTALS	27	12	2	180	3	45
PASS RECEIVING			NO	YDS TDS		LONG
Stewart			1	(-1)	0	(-1)
Payne			6	103	1	36
Doyle			1	12	1	12
Turner			1	2	0	2
Cross			1	16	0"	16
Richardson			1	45	0	45
Newberry			1	3	I	3
TOTALS			12	180	3	45
PUNTING			NO	YDS	AVG	LONG
Mohr			6	274	!') 1	56
TOTALS			6	274	45.7	56
FIELD GOALS			ATT	MADE		LONG
Doyle			2	1		23
TOTALS			2	1		23
	PUNTS		KICKOFFS			INTS
ALL RETURNS	NO	YDS	NO YDS		NO YDS	
Cassimus	3	21		_ _		_ _
Thomas	1	9		- 		 
Goode				3 43		 
Ozmint				- 		1 0
TOTALS	4	30		3 43		1 0
-Cars Pause chart  Wildcat coach Eddie Sutton meets with press; remains optimistic heading into '88 campaign
Following are UK basketball coach Eddie Sutton's comments made during a press conference Friday, Sept. 30, at the Wildcat Lodge.
Eddie Sutton's opening remarks: I wanted to get together for a couple reasons. One, basketball season begins in two weeks from tonight, with "Midnight Madness." So it's right around the corner. Another reason I wanted to get together is because several of you had requested to visit with me about Kentucky basketball and what has been going on in the last few months, as far as the investigation is concerned. So I told Chris (UK sports information director Chris Cameron) to call some of my friends and we'd get together and visit. I wasn't aware we were going to have a press conference. I'm happy to be here and answer any questions you all might have.
Media: Concerning the ACT test that Eric Manuel, were you aware that Lexington Lafayette coach Donnie Harville was going to pick up both Eric and your son Sean to go to the test?
Eddie Sutton: I did not know that until he had already picked them up. As I understand it, Sean had applied to take the test again, but I guess that's old news. But is bears repeating, because I want everyone to be clear on exactly what happened. Sean had already passed the test, and I don't think it's really unusual, if you really check around, that most young people do take the ACT test or the SAT more than one time, trying to improve their score. Normally, you take it once, and if you take it again, you are going to improve.
At the request of his mother, Sean had signed up to take the test again. In fact, Scott, our youngest son, had signed up also and took the test that very same day. There were several sites here in Lexington where the test was given. Eric and Sean had been playing ball earlier in the week, and knowing that Eric had no transportation and no automobile, Sean asked Eric if he wanted to catch a ride, and Eric said yes. So when Sean got over here that morning, they were prepared to go. About that time, Coach Harville did drive up, so they both did drive over with him to Lafayette High School. As I understand it, Coach Harville had been asked by Coach Richardson, Eric's (high school) coach, to make sure he did have transportation. Don Richardson and Donnie Harville have known each other for many years, having worked at basketball camps around the country.
Media: So coach Richardson is the one who asked coach Harville?
Eddie Sutton: That is correct. And I don't think it's unusual. If you know Don Richardson, he has players all over the United States, and he always has tried to find someone in that community, where the young man was atending college, to try and keep and eye out for that particular young man.
Media: What was the first indication you had that someone was looking into the possibility that there was some irregularity in connection with that test?
Eddie Sutton: I can't answer that. I don't remember. The NCAA has been in here for it seems all summer. I'm not exactly sure when that did occur.
Media: Do you know is there has been a comparison made between Eric's test answers and a student who sat next to him?
Eddie Sutton: The NCAA and the university have certainly tried to investigate that story to the fullest. You guys may know as much about it as I do. It's my understanding that they have checked with the monitors over
Eddie Sutton: still confident Wildcat program is clean
at Lafayette, and they felt like there was no wrongdoing. I have talked to Eric, and he tells me that he took the test in an honest manner. I will believe that until it is proven that he did violate some rule. The young man that was sitting next to him (Eric), from what I read in the newspaper, and watch on television and listen on the radio, that he has said that Eric did not do anything as far as cheating off his paper, and Eric says he didn't think the young man cheated off his paper. And Sean was about three tables away, and Sean says that as far as he could see, there was no wrongdoing in the room. So until proof is brought forth, I have to assume that Eric Manuel is innocent.
Media: Is it true that in your meeting with Dr. David Roselle and Cliff Hagan, they wanted Eric Manuel out of school right at that point?
Eddie Sutton: In the meeting that was held at Dr. Roselle's house, there were three people from the administration, and with Cliff and myself, there were five of us. That was just an information meeting was all it amounted to. They indicated to Cliff and myself that there was a possible violation in Eric Manuel taking the examination. That's basically all. It was a very short meeting.
Media: Did they specifically tell you about the comparisons of the tests and what they revealed?
Eddie Sutton: They indicated the probability of test scores. That's basically what the meeting was about?
Media: Did they get into any specifics? Eddie Sutton: No.
Media: Was this (Manuel's alledged cheating on his ACT test) actually^revealed by Judge (James) Park rather than by the NCAA?
Eddie Sutton: I don't know how that was revealed. I thought it was very premature that anything like that would be revealed. From the very beginning, the university has been trying to keep everything quiet, and I'm sure the NCAA has. I don't know how that was revealed.
Media: Would you care to speculate on how that meeting (with Dr. Roselle) became public knowledge?
Eddie Sutton: I don't know how it became public knowledge. I certainly know that I didn't indicate to anyone that we had a meeting that Sunday afternoon.
Media: Were you surprised when it did become public knowledge?
Eddie Sutton: I was surprised, and I think disappointed, because I don't think anything like that should be made public until all the facts are brought forward.
Media: Do you think you have received sufficient support from the administration during this time?
Eddie Sutton: I think the university certainly has given us support. Dr. Roselle, and I speak for myself, we both want the same thing. We want to get to the bottom of this thing and find out just exactly what the problems are with the University of Kentucky program. I have been a little angry, distressed and frustrated with the past six months in that if you were to listen to some of you all (media), you would think we've already have been tried, convicted and the gallows were prepared to hang us. And we've had one allegation...that's all.
An allegation is a charge. We haven't been given due process. There will be other allegations, evidently, but they haven't been brought forward yet. I don't think some of you understand how the NCAA works. You have the enforcement division, which Dave Berst heads up, a