First Down Kentucky: Wildcats have Juice in the Gator Bowl

Anticipation overload is creeping into the Kentucky football program. These Wildcats can’t wait to take on Clemson in the Gator Bowl. Fortunately, they don’t have to wait much longer. Kickoff is right around the corner on ESPN, beginning at noon from EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville.

JJ Weaver can still taste the bitterness from last year’s loss to Iowa in the Music City Bowl. He does not want history to repeat itself.

“It’s big. We need this one for sure,” he said Thursday morning. “I’m excited for it. I know the guys are excited for it. We just want to play different than we did last year. Last year we had a lot of opt-outs. This year we got everybody, so I’m excited for it.”

Dabo Respects Kentucky RB Ray Davis

For most of the last month we’ve shared the kind words Mark Stoops has had for the Clemson program. The respect is mutual between programs. Head coach Dabo Swinney knows what Devin Leary is capable of. Clemson lost to Leary back in 2021. The Tigers’ head coach know a tough battle awaits in the Gator Bowl.

“I think they’ve got good players at every single position. They’ve got some guys outside that really spread the ball out, pretty balanced,” said Swinney.

“That daggum back, you don’t get lucky and lead the SEC in touchdowns. That’s not something you just luck into. (Ray Davis is) A tough, physical dude. Big guys up front. Obviously Leary is a very experienced quarterback.”

Is there enough time to replace “Davis” with “That daggum back” on the back of No. 1’s jersey?

Sir Josh Kattus

Following the Thursday morning press conference, the final Gator Bowl event was a little community service. A dozen members of the Jacksonville area Dream Team spent time with members of both the Kentucky and Clemson football teams. There were a few sweet moments between the athletes and the kids, but nothing made me chuckle more than watching this back and fourth between Josh Kattus and the Tax Slayer.

Josh Kattus has officially been knighted by the Tax Slayer. He’s now Sir Ass-Kicker. pic.twitter.com/29V4MoWTSc

— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) December 28, 2023

I made it into the Hype Video

This is weird. It’s so weird I didn’t even recognize my own voice. Does it sound like me? I don’t know. I’m kind of freaking out. Am I famous? What’s going on? *GET A GRIP ROUSH*

Are you ready for the final Kentucky Football Cat Walk of the Season?

The noon kickoff on ESPN will get the Big Blue Nation up and at ’em early in the am. Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats will be making the bus trip and arriving around 9:45 am EST. The Cat Walk will be just outside of Gate 1 at EverBank Stadium. We’ll be ready to rock with a cup of coffee or two. See ya there.