By KEITH TAYLOR
ktaylor@winchestersun.com
Derrick Locke didn’t repeat Ricky Lumpkin’s halftime speech that got Kentucky’s attention in a 38-20 win over Vanderbilt Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium.
Locke, making his first appearance after missing the four previous games because of a shoulder injury, said Lumpkin, was fiery and vocal.
“He gave us a speech we needed to hear and we responded,†Locke said of Lumpkin’s halftime address that came after the coaching staff left the locker room. “It was something that we needed to hear.â€Â
Locke, one of 15 seniors honored prior to the contest, turned in his second highest rushing total of the season with 145 yards on 22 carries, complete with two touchdowns. Locke finished with 171 all-purpose yards and gained most of his yardage in the second half following Lumpkin’s brief pep talk.
Locke had just 14 yards in the first half, but regained some of his form in the second half with 131 yards, including an 83-yard touchdown run with 5:38 remaining to put the finishing touches on his final home contest.
“I just needed that after sitting out for a long time,†he said. “I needed it a lot.â€Â
The run tied as the seventh longest run in school history. Locke now has 719 rushing yards on the season and is closing in on the 1,000-yard mark with at least two games remaining.
“I needed that to get back on track and get to 1,000 (yards),†he said. “I want it and I’m going to do whatever I need to do to get it. I’ve something I’ve always wanted to accomplish. If I don’t get it, I didn’t make the plays to get it and I’m going to do whatever I have to do to get it.â€Â
Locke received a scare after he went down with 14:46 remaining in the contest, but it turned out to be nothing serious. Locke said he “got the wind knocked out of him†and returned to the lineup on the next series. Throughout the contest, Locke took several hits on the injured shoulder, which he said was beneficial.
“I needed that just to see what it felt like,†he said.
The senior running back admitted that he “was not normal yet†and “it shows.†Against the Commodores, Locke was hesitant at times because of the injury.
“He didn’t look like the same Derrick,†Kentucky coach Joker Phillips said. “Even on the long run, I mean he steps away from those guys and he didn’t step away from them (the defenders) like he had been earlier in the season. They didn’t tackle him. But, he steps away from those guys and they don’t get a chance to get a hand on him. He didn’t look the same, but he looked good enough to win today.â€Â
Kentucky has an open date Saturday, which will give Locke more time to heal before the Wildcats’ regular-season finale against Tennessee on Nov. 27 in Knoxville. Locke doesn’t plan on holding back against the Volunteers, who have defeated the Wildcats on a regular basis since 1984.
“I’m glad I get a week off to rehab my arm and get more strength,†he said. “I’d like to be at 95 percent and hold (the ball) in my right hand more, but I still have to be cautious. When we play Tennessee, I’m going to try and not hold anything back. I’m going to just play. We went out on a good note, but now we finish (the season) on a good note.â€Â
5 Responses to Locke “needed” this type of game
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The coaches need to simply leave the locker room before the Tennessee game after saying that whether this team wants to win or lose is entirely up to them.
Then allow the leaders on this team [Lumpkin it seems has decided to step up and pick up the mantle] explain the facts of life to all their teammates.
Not sure why players need these gimmicks this year for motivation. That being said, beating Cards, Spurrier & 5th bowl in a row is pretty nice – and having a realistic shot to beat Tenn if team shows up. GO CATS
These guys to seem to need some type of “extra” motivation, Rod. Former Wildcat quarterback Dusty Bonner has said how this team especially seems to “feed off” the crowd’s energy. Coach Phillips mentioned the same in his radio show last week. Too, obviously, they “feed off” the energy of teammates’ “fiery” halftime speeches, too.
Also, hearing on the postgame show about Ricky Lumpkin’s motivational, inspirational halftime speech to the entire team, I had already been SO proud of Ricky. Indeed, Ricky stepped up and inspired the team to a higher leveal of play. Too, yes, a “players only” meeting prior to the game sounds like a good idea. On the other hand, perhaps our leaders cannot be as “fiery” unless faced with that halftime deficit and an impending defeat. By the way, as a positive, team leader Randall Cobb said after the game that the team will be fully motivated PRIOR to the beginning of the UT game — and I’m counting on just that.
In regard to Derrick Locke, I’m so thankful that he had such a productive game in his return. Too, when he had gone down in that fourth quarter, I had been so scared for him– and then so thankful that it had not been anything serious. Finally, may Derrick and all of his teammates PLEASE be healthy to face those Vols.
If they beat the Vols, it will go down as a very memorable season for this team. Lot rides on healthy Locke to beat Tennessee, too
If, and it is a bigger IF than I imagined just 2 weeks ago, UK beats Tennessee, this season will have beaten Louisville for the 4th straight time, second straight at Papa Johns, ended Spurrier’s streak and USC’s streak, and ended the Vols streak on their way to 7 wins and a 5th straight bowl.
If anyone had offered that result to me in August without playing a game, I would have taken it.
Here’s hoping that the Cats can shut the Big Orange down and shut them up.