Life in the rugged Southeastern Conference was hard enough for Kentucky, but it got even tougher on Jan. 31, 2002. That was the day the NCAA’s committee on infractions announced what it had decided to do with the program, which had been cited for more than 35 rules violations committed under the tenure of former coach Hal Mumme from 1998-2000.

The violations, most involving Mumme’s director of football operations, Claude Bassett, ran the gamut from academic fraud and excessive recruiting contacts to gifts of cash, clothing, lodging and meals to recruits and high school coaches.

The NCAA called the mess "one of the more serious cases" it had investigated in several years.

The resulting penalties were serious, too.

Team Info Location:   Lexington, KY   Conference:   Southeastern (Eastern)   Last Season:   2-9 (.182)   Conference Record:   1-7 (5th)   Off. Starters Returning:   6   Def. Starters Returning:   4  Nickname:   Wildcats   Colors:   Blue & White   Home Field:   Commonwealth Stadium (67,530)   Head Coach:   Guy Morriss (TCU '73)   Record at School:   2-9 (1 year)   Career Record:   2-9 (1 year)   Assistants:   John Goodner (SW Oklahoma State '67) Def. Coordinator/Linebackers/ Recruiting Coordinator      Brent Pease (Montana '90) Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks      Wesley McGriff (Savannah State '90) Defensive Backs      Tom Adams (Rice '82) Defensive Tackles      Willie Martinez (Miami '86) Secondary      Chris Lancaster (Clemson '89) Offensive Line      Harold Jackson (Jackson State '68) Wide Receivers      Mark Nelson (E. Central Okla. State '80) Special Teams/Defensive Ends      Gerald Carr (Southern Illinois '81) Running Backs   Team Wins (last 5 yrs.):   5-7-6-2-2   Team Rank (last 5 yrs.):   37-26-54-69-85   2001 Finish:   Lost to Indiana in regular-season finale.

The NCAA, citing Kentucky for the dreaded "lack of institutional control," accepted the school’s self-imposed reduction of 19 scholarships over three years. For good measure the NCAA tacked on a couple of bonuses -- Kentucky can have just 80 players on scholarship (down from 85) at any time during the three years it will be placed on probation. And the Wildcats are banned from postseason play this season. An appeal was planned.

Luckily for the future of the program, Kentucky administrators decided to retain coach Guy Morriss, a former Mumme assistant who took over in 2001. After the Wildcats, racked by injuries, finished 2-9, there was some speculation that Morriss wouldn’t be asked back for a second season. But Morris was given a five-year contract and a strong vote of confidence by university president Lee Todd.

It will take Kentucky three years to get back to full strength, numbers wise, but the effects of the probation might last even longer. Undaunted, Morriss aggressively sought to be retained after last season. And after he was, he immersed himself into damage control and salvaged a recruiting class that didn’t impress the analysts but will probably fill a few gaping holes in Kentucky’s lineup.

Morriss has a good feeling about the program. And he was pleased with the effort the Wildcats put forth in spring practice.

Lorenzen’s junior season should be a bit more stable. He had an excellent spring and won the No. 1 spot over sophomore Shane Boyd, to whom he briefly lost the job a year ago.

In 2001, Lorenzen gave way to Boyd after a poor showing in the Wildcats’ season-opening loss to Louisville. He didn’t play in three of Kentucky’s next four games, but he kept a good attitude. And when Lorenzen was called upon against LSU, he entered the game and nearly helped the Wildcats pull off an upset victory over the eventual SEC champions.

Lorenzen was a force after that. He started the Wildcats’ next game against Georgia and completed 32-of-54 passes for 377 yards and three touchdowns. Boyd didn’t play, nor would he leave the sideline in three of Kentucky’s last four games.

Lorenzen finished the season with 167 completions in 292 attempts, 2,179 yards, 19 touchdown passes and just seven interceptions. After only two seasons, Lorenzen ranks second in school history in total offense and passing yardage. As a freshman, he completed 321-of-559 passes for 3,687 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Boyd (6-2, 224) is a relief pitcher on Kentucky’s baseball team, so he is used to the job he will have on the football team behind Lorenzen, who doesn’t figure to be dislodged again.

When Morriss took over as head coach last season, one of his goals was to achieve better balance in his offense. With senior tailback Artose Pinner (5-11, 223) taking on a greater role this season, that balance Morriss sought could be possible. Kentucky coaches are hoping Pinner can carry the ball often.

Pinner’s statistics to this point have been modest, attributable in part to the pass-happy offense of Mumme. Pinner has run for just 691 yards in his career, 441 of those coming last year. Before 2001, Pinner had never scored a touchdown at Kentucky. He had four a year ago.

This will be Pinner’s breakout year. Strong and stocky, Pinner also has great speed and is a punishing runner. He’s tough to tackle.

Pinner’s backup is red-shirt freshman Alexis Bwenge (6-1, 213), who comes from Canada.

Mike Kamphake (6-0, 215), a senior, will start at fullback, serving mainly as a blocker when the Wildcats use a two-back set.

The Wildcats are solid at this position with a host of talented players returning, including junior "X" receiver Derek Abney (5-10, 176), a first-team All-SEC pick last season as an all-purpose player. He’s also an excellent return man.

A year ago, Abney -- who has good speed and hands -- caught 66 passes for 741 yards and six touchdowns. He was third in the SEC and 24th in the nation in receptions per game (6.0) and eighth in the league in receiving yards per game (67.4). Abney came into his own late in 2001 as he had 100-yard receiving games against Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State.

Abney’s workload was limited in the spring because he was nursing a hamstring injury.

Like Abney, seniors Aaron Boone (6-3, 210) and Ernest Simms (5-8, 167) significantly increased their contributions as last season progressed. In 2001, Boone, who was born on Jan. 13, 1978 and wears No. 13 for good luck, caught 18 passes for 268 yards and six touchdowns.

Boone combines size with good hands, making him a reliable target. He backs up Abney.

Simms, the starter at "H" receiver, is a much smaller target, but he has breakaway speed that can help him shake defenders. As a junior, Simms caught 16 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown. He had a career-high six receptions, good for 75 yards, against Florida.

Tommy Cook (6-0, 190), a sophomore, starts at "Z" receiver. Last season, he caught 20 passes for 298 yards and three touchdowns. Fourteen of his catches came in the last three games of the season.

Morriss and his staff fortified the receiver corps with the addition of junior Chris Bernard (6-1, 189), a junior college transfer who is list as the backup to Cook.

At tight end, the Wildcats will miss Derek Smith, who left school early for the NFL.

But senior Chase Harp (6-4, 247) will take over. He’s a solid all-around player who can block and catch passes. Last season, he hauled in 22 for 251 yards and two touchdowns.

Kentucky doesn’t have much depth here, and can ill-afford injuries such as the ones that plagued the Wildcats during spring drills, when three starters Matt Huff , Jason Rollins and Antonio Hall missed time.

The plus side to that rash of injuries was that Morriss could take a long look at some reserves. What he learned was that he should keep his fingers crossed and hope his starters can stay healthy, or that his recruiting class can offer some help.

Sophomores Huff (6-5, 307), a tackle, and Rollins (6-5, 277), a guard, man the left side. Last season, Huff played in just five games, but he started the last four after an injury to Matt Brown.

Rollins, too, came to the rescue last season as a red-shirt freshman after injuries struck. He started the last six games in place of Keith Chatelain .

Chatelain (6-5, 312), a senior right guard, is the veteran on the line. He was sidelined with an ankle injury last season, but still managed to play in nine games, starting the first five. In 2000, he had to fill in for an injured starter, starting 10 games after center Nolan DeVaughn went down.

Junior Antonio Hall (6-5, 302) will start at right tackle, and he’s by far the most durable of the bunch.

Nick Seitze (6-5, 274), a junior, also got his first starts at the expense of the oft-injured DeVaughn. In 2001, Seitze played in 10 games and started the last six. Kentucky coaches were impressed with the job he did in relief.

In the spring, sophomore tackle Daniel Burnett (6-5, 278) and junior guard Sylvester Miller (6-5, 303) stood out among potential reserves.

This position was still up for grabs after spring practice. Candidates for the job are sophomore Clint Ruth (6-1, 200), red-shirt freshman Taylor Begley (6-0, 196) and junior Justin Hutton (6-4, 200).

Ruth is the only one of the three with any experience. He red-shirted a year ago, but in 2000 kicked off 31 times.

The loss of defensive ends Dennis Johnson -- picked in the third round of the NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals -- and Chris Demaree hurts here, but the focus could change this season to the tackles. The Wildcats have a solid trio of players at that position.

Juniors Dewayne Robertson (6-3, 314) and Jeremy Caudill (6-3, 295) and sophomore Ellery Moore (6-3, 289) were hampered with various injuries last season, but were 100 percent in the spring. Robertson was particularly impressive, prompting Morriss to proclaim that he was "unblockable."

Robertson started nine games last season, but missed two more because of ankle and knee injuries. He ended up with 26 tackles, including four for loss, six quarterback hurries and a sack against Tennessee.

Caudill was slowed by a back injury a year ago and missed the first two games. He played in the final nine games, however, and improved as the season progressed

Caudill, one of Kentucky’s strongest players, also saw some action at fullback against Georgia and Vanderbilt, helping block for a first down and a touchdown, respectively.

Moore make his mark as a true freshman in 2001 and was chosen to SEC All-Freshman teams by the league’s coaches, the Knoxville News-Sentinel and The Sporting News.

The task of replacing Johnson and Demaree falls to senior Otis Grigsby (6-4, 244) and sophomore Vincent "Sweet Pea" Burns (6-2, 261). Burns practiced just one week after undergoing an appendectomy, but he impressed coaches in that short amount of time.

Senior Ronnie Riley (6-2, 234) should finally be back in action at middle linebacker after missing most of last season and spring practice. He injured his knee in the season opener against Louisville and was forced to take a red-shirt season. Fortunately for Riley, he didn’t red-shirt as a freshman, so he was able to retain his final season of eligibility.

Riley worked hard at rehab and in gaining strength to play an inside linebacker position.

In Riley’s absence, red-shirt freshman Dustin Williams (6-5, 251) got a lot of work and impressed the coaching staff.

Morris Lane (6-1, 210), a senior, will start at the other linebacker spot. Before 2001, most of Lane’s contributions had been on special teams. As a junior, he saw his first game action at linebacker, though he missed the first two games while recovering from a sprained ankle. Lane made 20 tackles on the season.

Lane’s backup after spring was Justin Haydock (6-3, 227), a sophomore.

Kamaal Ahmad (6-2, 239), a junior college transfer who joined the team at mid year, will make an impact at this position. Ahmad came from Northeast Oklahoma A&M, where he played in just seven games after suffering a high ankle sprain. He accumulated 25 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and a fumble recovery.

Kentucky’s system employs outside safeties that are a cross between linebackers and defensive backs. Kentucky has a good one in senior David Johnson (6-0, 207), the team’s most experienced defender.

Johnson is always around the football and has a knack for making plays. Last year he missed four games because of injury, but still managed to make 44 tackles and intercept two passes, against Mississippi State and Vanderbilt.

Sophomore Mike Williams (5-11, 179) will join Johnson on the outside. He was moved from cornerback in the spring, and Kentucky coaches were pleased with how he handled the switch. Williams is a hard hitter and has coverage skills. He dealt out some memorable hits in the spring.

Senior Derrick Tatum (6-0, 190) and junior Leonard Burress (5-11, 186) retained their starting cornerback jobs after spring practice. Tatum, who played last season with a shoulder injury, started seven times and totaled 42 tackles and nine pass breakups. He intercepted a pass against Georgia.

Burress started eight games last season and finished second on the team with 10 pass breakups. He made 26 tackles. Like Tatum, he struggled with an injury -- a bad back kept him out of two games.

Kentucky has a great punter, and he got a lot of work last year. In 2001, senior Glenn Pakulak (6-3, 230) averaged 44.5 yards per punt, leading the SEC and ranking sixth in the country. He was chosen a first-team All-SEC pick and a third-team All-American by Football News.

Pakulak was nothing if not consistent, averaging at least 42 yards per kick in all but one game. He landed 18 of his kicks inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Pakulak’s best game came against Georgia, when he averaged 50.2 yards on five punts. That included a personal best 69-yarder.

Pakulak is a strong player who has exceeded 400 pounds in the bench press and can do the 225-pound NFL bench press 28 times.

Sevin Sucurovic (6-2, 190), a sophomore, is listed as Pakulak’s backup.

Abney is a tough and fearless return man. Last season, he ranked seventh in the SEC in punt returns (9.6) and eighth in kickoff returns (22.4). Abney was second in the SEC and 11th nationally in all-purpose yards (153.8 per game).

Abney took the first punt he returned all season 47 yards for a touchdown against Louisville. He had an 83-yard touchdown return against Ball State called back because of a penalty.

Abney finished with 1,692 all-purpose yards, the third-highest single season total in school history.

The Wildcats’ class didn’t impress the recruiting analysts, but it helped fill some glaring needs. Given the NCAA sanctions that were staring the program in the face throughout the recruiting process, Morriss was pleased to have salvaged a class that could provide some immediate help.

All three junior college players, linebacker Kamaal Ahmad, receiver Bernard and offensive lineman Yancey Reynolds, will contribute right away. And Kentucky signed five high school offensive linemen in an effort to start building depth at the position.

The star among the freshmen linemen could well be Jared McGowan (6-4, 295), who played for Horn Lake High School in Walls, Miss. A second-team all-state pick by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, McGowan is mobile despite his size. He didn’t allow a sack all season, and Horn Lake ran a passing offense.

McGowan waited until national signing day to pick Kentucky over Mississippi State and Troy State.

Kentucky football, on the verge of upward mobility during the tenure of former coach Hal Mumme, was smacked back to reality the last two years with consecutive 2-9 records and some harsh NCAA sanctions. A lesser man might have bolted for a nice, safe assistant’s job somewhere, but Morriss, who was thrown into the fray after Mumme’s departure in February 2001, actively campaigned to stay around. Kentucky officials wisely gave Morriss a shot.

Morriss and his staff will try to rebuild Kentucky the right way, and in truth, they don’t have a choice. Any more brushes with NCAA rules and the program, as a repeat offender, runs the risk of being shut down.

But Morriss is a solid citizen who expects his players to be the same. He has introduced a balanced offense, one that isn’t so reliant on the pass. He has tried to shore up an offensive line that has lacked depth. And he has taken several steps to improve a porous defense.