Big Blue Brew 10/19: 4 Football Awards

Today, we're looking at Stoops, the O-line, Davis, and Weaver all receiving awards.

🔵 The Official Daily Newsletter For Kentucky Athletics

Good morning. Time to take a trip around the world, but don’t worry we already mapped it out for you. See where all of our UK student-athletes are from here.

What else are we mixing into today’s Brew?

🏈 Stoops and O-line awards
🏈 Ray Davis and J.J. Weaver awards
🔵 And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP 

🔼 The Bear of Cats. Mark Stoops is on the American Heart Association’s 2023 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Watch List for the third season in a row. Stoops is recognized for his contributions that make the sport better for athletes and fans by demonstrating grit, integrity, and a winning approach to coaching and life both on and off the field.

And when it comes to winning, Stoops has many athletes being named to prestigious awards and even the whole offensive line being recognized. The Kentucky O-line was named to the Joe Moore Midseason Honor Roll Award for the Most Outstanding Offensive Line Unit in college football. It’s the fifth time in the last six seasons that the Big Blue Wall has been named to the honor roll.

🔼 Two Standouts. Now, when it comes to awards for individual football athletes, we’ve got two standouts. Ray Davis was named Midseason All-American by The Sporting News, and J.J. Weaver was named a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year. Staring with Davis, he’s played seven games this season, and in three of them, he’s hit 100 yards. His two best rushes have been with the Wildcats— 55 yards against Akron and 75 yards against Florida.

Weaver is one of 20 semifinalists for the Man of the Year award and was picked for his leadership, exceptional courage, integrity, and sportsmanship, both on and off the field. He’s been captain for two years and helps the community by being an outspoken advocate for mental health and counseling. Weaver started a peer-led grief counseling group on campus while also running his non-profit organization “The Perfect Fit.”

🤔 BIG BLUE TRIVIA

Even More. It’s been a minute since we’ve heard Ray Davis getting an award, and here we are today with another one on his list.

Today’s question— how many award lists is Davis on now?

Think you got it? Scroll on down to the bottom of this email for the answer!

🔵 ONE BIG THING

🔼 Pre-Work. Two men’s basketball players were named to the SEC Preseason League, and here are the details. Justin Edwards, first team, is a freshman and was ranked No. 3 in the 2023 recruiting class. He averaged 14.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in the GLOBL JAM this summer for Kentucky. The reigning Co-SEC Sixth Man of the Year, senior Antonio Reeves, second team, is the leading returning scorer for the Wildcats. He averaged 14.4. points per game and made a team-high 80 3-pointers at a 39.8% clip last season.

📬 STICK WITH US

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📅 THE WEEK AHEAD

Thursday, October 19

⚽️ Women’s Soccer at Georgia @ 6pm ET | Watch 
🎾 Women’s Tennis ITA Regionals

Friday, October 20

🏐 Volleyball vs. Mississippi State @ 7pm ET | Tickets
🥎 Softball vs. Miami (OH) @ 8pm ET | Free Admission | “Big Blue Boo” @ 6pm

Saturday, October 21

🏀 Men’s Basketball Blue-White Game (EXH) @ 6pm ET, Truist Arena at NKU, Highland Heights, Ky.

Sunday, October 22

🏐 Volleyball vs. Arkansas @ 1pm ET | Tickets
⚽️ Women’s Soccer vs. Missouri @ 1pm ET | Tickets | Watch 
⚽️ Men’s Soccer at Marshall @ 4:30pm ET

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: 11!

🔵 Have a great Thursday!