Mike Edwards Can't Stop Laughing in the Final Practice Notes of the 2017 Season

@UKFootball

It feels like the 2017 Kentucky football season just kicked off, yet today was the team’s final practice of the season.  Out of the cold at Vanderbilt’s indoor football facility, the Cats were having fun ahead of the Music City Bowl match-up with Northwestern (except for Mike Edwards).

—  Honey Funny Badger.  Kentucky was completely obliterated by Northwestern in last night’s hot chicken eating contest.  Even though it was a long shot from the get go, Mike Edwards made sure Kentucky could not win.  The UK safety ate just three pieces of chicken in the time allotted and his teammates have not let him forget.

“First of all, everybody was thinking it was wings,” Edwards defended himself.  “I thought it was going to be regular wings, but it was like breaded chicken fingers and it was hot and spicy with a lot of meat.  So, I’m laughing and stuff and I saw the dudes from Northwestern already had like ten and I was on one.  I was like, it’s over with.”

Nashville hot chicken is one tricky beast, one I intend to tangle with alongside Freddie Maggard before we depart from the Music City.

—  The Best and Worst Singers.  Matt House did not hesitate to throw his fellow assistant coaches under the bus.  Tasked to karaoke for the crowd, the defensive coordinator said Dean Hood had the best pipes, while Steve Clinkscale had the worst.

—  Filling in for Ware.  Without Ware this Friday, Josh Paschal will receive most of the workload.  Kengera Daniel will relieve Paschal, as well as Boogie Watson.  Even though Watson primarily plays the other outside linebacker position, he can play just about anywhere on Kentucky’s defense.

“On third down he can get into the boundary too,” House said.  “Boogie’s a kid that’s really done a good job of being that utility guy and embracing it.”

Boogie can be ready to roll, but Paschal will carry most of the responsibility.  Courtney Love is confident the true freshman can handle it.

“He’s got a guy behind him that’s gonna play some great football, Josh Paschal.  Denzil has helped mentor him and help him become the player he wants to be.  I think it’s going to work out really well.”

Love added that it isn’t all about Paschal, “We all have to step up.”  See everything Love had to say:

—  “Positive Anxiousness.”  That’s the best way House could describe the vibe around the team.  The Cats are having fun, they’ve finished their bowl prep and now they’re ready to lay it all on the line.

—  Containing Justin Jackson.  Northwestern’s offense runs through perennial All-Big Ten second teamer Justin Jackson.  A consistent threat, he’s never been the conference’s flashiest back, but he’s one weapon that can quickly derail Kentucky’s hopes for a postseason victory.

“He runs really hard.  You’re not a four-time 1,000-yard rusher without being really talented,” House said.  “He’s a guy that we’re going to have to keep great leverage on.  We’re going to have to tackle.  He’s a really patient runner.  It’ll be a challenge.”

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