RICHMOND, Ky. - Eastern Kentucky University head football coach Roy Kidd said, "It's time to go over there, execute to the best of our ability and hope for the best," as his ninth-ranked EKU Colonels get set to tangle with the highly-explosive University of Kentucky Wildcats Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium.

Both teams come into the game 1-0, Eastern off a 43-13 defeat of Kentucky State and UK fresh from a 68-34 pasting of Louisville.

"Kentucky is a very talented team, both on offense and defense. They can put a lot of points on the board on offense and they really impressed me against Louisville on defense where UK has a lot of team speed," Kidd said.

The 35-year veteran head coach of the Colonels feels the key to playing well Saturday against the 'Cats could lie in basic, fundamental football.

"To be successful Saturday, there is no doubt in my mind that we are going to have do a very good job of tackling. I'm talking about when our guys get to their man, wrapping him up and, hopefully, our pursuit will get there to help. UK has so many weapons that if we don't do a good job in this area, we could be in serious trouble," Kidd continued.

EKU comes into the game with two of its main players injured who will miss the Kentucky game and two others who are listed on the questionable for duty list.

Senior All-American wide receiver Rondel Menendez suffered a separated shoulder last Saturday on a punt return, while sophomore linebacker Adam Rader came out of the KSU contest with a strained knee. Both players will miss this week.

Sophomore defensive end Shorty Combs has a pulled groin and senior defensive back Dedric Campbell has battled the flu the latter part of the week. Both should see some action vs. Kentucky.

"It's time to go over there, have some fun and play our brand of football. That's all we can do," Kidd concluded.

Following the Kentucky game Saturday, Eastern must go on the road the following two Saturdays with games at Western Kentucky, Sept. 19, and at Middle Tennessee, Sept. 26. After an open weekend, Oct. 3, Eastern returns to Roy Kidd Stadium for a 7:00 p.m. encounter with Ohio Valley Conference rival Tennessee State.

Tickets for EKU's five remaining home games are on sale weekdays at the EKU Athletics Ticket Office in Room 126 of Alumni Coliseum. Tickets may also be ordered by phoning (606) 622-2122 or 1-800-262-7493 (inside Kentucky).

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