John Calipari to hit five states on basketball recruiting trail today

Aug 5, 2011; Lexington, KY USA; Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Aaron Boyd (27) during media day at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-US PRESSWIRE

After Saturday’s 11 catch, 100 yard performance, Aaron Boyd has become the feel good story of the year. It’s been a rough time at Kentucky for the fifth year senior, who has struggled to live up to his four star ranking. This year, it is all coming together and he can thank his brother , former Wildcat Shane Boyd, for inspiration:

"“He’s always been an inspiration to me,” he said. “He’s always been a big brother to me and I talk to him before every game and after every practice. He just tells me to keep focused and do whatever I have to do to get better.” As expected, Joker Phillips has tons of praise for his new star receiver: “I got more excited about the blocks (he made) than the catches,” he said. “You have to be a physical wide receiver and Aaron is trying to be physical.” Phillips credited Boyd’s emergence to a personal willingness to improve. “A lot of it is just Aaron, saying, ‘Hey, it’s my last (season), I’m going to do what I have to do (to get better). I’m going to work my tail off. For a guy who can’t run as fast as the other (receivers), you have to be a physical guy. Aaron has bought into that and I’m excited that he’s starting to make plays for us.”"

Sept 8, 2012; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Maxwell Smith (11) passes the ball against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Commonwealth Stadium. Credit: Mark Zerof-US PRESSWIRE

After Saturday’s win over Kent State, some Wildcats are starting to get some national attention. Max Smith earned a “helmet sticker” from ESPN for his performance on Saturday and was also named the Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Week by SouthernPigskin.com and Honorable Mention Quarterback of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards.

True freshman punter Landon Foster was named Honorable Mention Punter of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards for the second consecutive week.

Part of the highlights of my week is the continual stream of text message stat goodness I get from WBN stat guru Corey Price. Here is some of the information Corey has passed on to me, to put Max’s performance into perspective:

• Smith is just the 5th QB in school history to pass for 350 yards in a single game as a sophomore.  The other four?  Pookie Jones in 1992, Tim Couch in 1997, Dusty Bonner in 1999, and Jared Lorenzen in 2001.
• Smith has the 5th most passing yards in school history (634) after two games.  When were the other four two game starts over 634 yards?   Tim Couch in 1997 and 1998, Dusty Bonner in 1999, and Jared Lorenzen in 2000.
• Smith and Tim Couch are the only two QB’s to pass for at least 600 yards, complete 60 passes, have a 70% completion percentage,  and have at least 6 TD’s and 0 interceptions over a two game span.

Either way you slice it, that is in some good company.