The Kentucky offense is attempting to stay sharp in the off-season by holding passing scrimmages against other local colleges.
Last week quarterback Morgan Newton organized a 7-on-7 scrimmage against Georgetown College. Kentucky is scheduled to do the same with Eastern Kentucky Wednesday.
Coaches are forbidden from organizing or participating in practices during the summer months but players are free to gather on their own. Newton said he inherited the job of organizing the scrimmages. Quarterback Mike Hartline had contacted the players from nearby schools in previous years.
The 7-on-7 format removes the offensive and defensive linemen. Skill position players on offense run patterns against defensive backs and linebackers. Blitzing is illegal but the quarterback usually has a limited time to attempt a forward pass.
While it is a far cry from how things will look when Kentucky begins fall camp in August, Newton knows the scrimmages do serve a purpose during
the dog days of summer.
"You kind of just see where you're at on 7-on-7 against some other guys. You don't really put much stock in to it but it's always important to get out here with a different group of guys," he said.
So would he consider calling Louisville - a team they will play in full fledged 11-on-11 football on Sept 17 - to inquire about a scrimmage?
"We're not scared, Newton said with a smile. "I mean probably not, we play them during the year, so probably not."
Last week quarterback Morgan Newton organized a 7-on-7 scrimmage against Georgetown College. Kentucky is scheduled to do the same with Eastern Kentucky Wednesday.
Coaches are forbidden from organizing or participating in practices during the summer months but players are free to gather on their own. Newton said he inherited the job of organizing the scrimmages. Quarterback Mike Hartline had contacted the players from nearby schools in previous years.
The 7-on-7 format removes the offensive and defensive linemen. Skill position players on offense run patterns against defensive backs and linebackers. Blitzing is illegal but the quarterback usually has a limited time to attempt a forward pass.
While it is a far cry from how things will look when Kentucky begins fall camp in August, Newton knows the scrimmages do serve a purpose during
the dog days of summer."You kind of just see where you're at on 7-on-7 against some other guys. You don't really put much stock in to it but it's always important to get out here with a different group of guys," he said.
So would he consider calling Louisville - a team they will play in full fledged 11-on-11 football on Sept 17 - to inquire about a scrimmage?
"We're not scared, Newton said with a smile. "I mean probably not, we play them during the year, so probably not."