Friday, September 27, 2002
UK transfer loves big-time spotlight
The Associated Press
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky defensive end Vincent Burns can't wait to run out on the field to face No. 7 Florida on Saturday in “The Swamp.”
“Opportunities like this are the reason I came to Kentucky,” said Burns, who transferred from Division I-AA Northern Arizona in 2001.
“You hear things about playing in places like that and see it on TV, but it's going to be intense to experience it myself for the first time.”
Intense is a word that also could be used to describe the 6-foot-2, 258-pound sophomore from Lake Park, Ga., who ranks third in tackles with 22 for the unbeaten Wildcats (4-0).
His nickname probably will not inspire fear in the hearts of the Gators' offensive linemen. They may change their minds, though, when they see on film the havoc he can wreak.
“I've been called "Sweet Pea' ever since I was a baby,” said Burns, who is tied for the Southeastern Conference lead in tackles for loss with 5 1/2. “I've been trying to find out where that came from all my life.
“It's been with me through grade school, then high school and now college. I can't explain it. It's just stuck.”
Off the field, Burns is soft-spoken and polite, answering questions with a prompt “Yes, sir,” or “No, ma'am.” On the field, he's just a bit more ... intense.
“He's just like the Energizer bunny,” said senior linebacker Morris Lane, a teammate of Burns' at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Ga. “His batteries are always going at full power.”
As a freshman at Northern Arizona, Burns made 27 tackles, including 11 for loss, and had three sacks and an interception in nine starts.
He was forced to sit out last season at Kentucky because of the NCAA transfer rule but made a definite impression on his new teammates in practice.
“He was playing on the scout team and always stirring things up,” defensive end Otis Grigsby said. “I don't know if the offensive linemen liked him very much.”
He surely doesn't have many detractors now.
In his first game as a Wildcat against archrival Louisville, Burns had five tackles, including three for loss, as he and the rest of the defensive front battered quarterback Dave Ragone for 60 minutes.
He had only two tackles in a 77-17 thrashing of Texas-El Paso but bounced back with a game-high 10 stops the following week against Indiana.
Last week against Middle Tennessee, Burns set up shop in the Blue Raiders' backfield. He finished with three tackles for loss, two other stops and recovered a fumble that led to a score.
“With guys like Dewayne Robertson, Ellery Moore and Jeremy Caudill inside, my job is easy,” he said. “They get a lot of attention because they've been around and teams know who they are and what they can do.
“People don't really know much about me yet, but they will.”
Kentucky coach Guy Morriss knew enough to start Burns right away even though he missed most of spring practice after an appendectomy.
“He's one of those guys whose motor runs all the time,” Morriss said. “He's a playmaker, and he gets all the guys around him fired up with his intensity.”
Lane said the defense, which has played well after languishing as one of the nation's worst the past two seasons, needed a spark to realize its potential. Burns has delivered a three-alarm blaze.
“I played with him in high school, so I knew what he was capable of giving us,” he said. “He brings that extra jolt of energy, and that's something we really needed.
“You've got to have guys who can keep you loose but get your adrenaline pumping at the same time. He's one of those guys.”
Burns may have a hard time containing his fire Saturday as the Wildcats look to improve on their best record in 18 years against a team they haven't beaten since 1986.
“Don't get me wrong, 4-0 is great,” he said with a grin. “But 5-0 would be better.”
With that in mind, he's hoping to entertain the Florida faithful with a little shimmy he breaks out when he makes big plays. He's had plenty of chances to perfect the move already this season.
“The guys on the team get on me about that, saying I can't dance,” he said. “I don't care what they say, though. As long as I'm still making plays and dancing, I'm going to be a happy guy.”
Sports Stories
Bengals at loose ends at tight end
Bengals Notebook: More kicking the grass
NFL Notebook: Moss apologizes to team
Reds 1, Cubs 0
Reds Box, Runs
Reds will play AL East in '03
Kearns eligible for other rookie award
Reds trainer Lynn resigns
Reds-Expos Series Preview
Sosa prepared to wait till next year
Dodgers still kicking in wild-card race
Johnson ends D'backs slide
Athletics clinch AL West
Angels finally get back to playoffs
UC's Adams seeks interception records
Elder, Dixie put top rankings on the line
Prep football schedule
Previews of top Cincinnati games
Previews of top Northern Ky. games
Football helps Maupin leave trouble behind
Ohio playoff picture taking shape
Old strategy recharges Harrison
Top QB prospect playing tight end
Highlands grad coaching Dixie to new heights
Student says 'hit' note was hoax
Scott star dedicated to revive winless program
More Player of the Year candidates
Boys cross country results
Boys golf results
Boys soccer results
FAVC schools reap sportmanship awards
Girls cross country results
Girls soccer results
Girls tennis results
Girls volleyball results
Ohio state cross country polls
UK transfer loves big-time spotlight
