LEXINGTON, Ky. — During Kentucky's game on Saturday when they host Arkansas, the Wildcats program will be honoring Jared Lorenzen, the former UK quarterback who passed away in July.
Leading up to the game, you can purchase tickets at a $22 discount by using the code "TWENTYTWO" and they will give out commemorative rally towels. Once the game begins, there will be several other opportunities for the program to recognize one of the True Blue Fans favorite players.
UK Head Coach, Mark Stoops, is going to make sure his team knows all about the former UK quarterback who was always told he was too big to play the position but won everyone over with the way he threw and ran the ball. "He's a beloved player here and rightfully so. I think because any player, you're going to have respect for if they go out there and lay it on the line for your team week-in and week-out. And I think any time you go back and watch any of his films and see the things that he's done, and trying to put the weight of the team on his shoulders and running it, passing, spinning around, tossing it, any which way to make plays for his team, it's hard not to admire that. I think that's what everybody remembers," Coach Stoops said. He then added "Again, I think our team, we really try to exemplify that a little bit by playing the game the right way, respecting the game, playing it hard, laying it on the line, doing the best you can."
Lorenzen's family plans to be at the game and Coach Stoops also wants to make sure the team gets the chance to see them as well. "I know they have some activities planned on Friday, but I would sure like to bring them and introduce them to the team and talk to his son and daughter and his mom and dad and just let them know that we're thinking about them and recognize them and really want to play well for him."
Lorenzen played at Kentucky from 2000-'03 where he threw for 10,354 yards and 78 touchdowns. He also ran the ball for 281 more yards and 12 touchdowns. After leaving Kentucky, he signed with the New York Giants where he was the back-up quarterback to Eli Manning when the Giants won Super Bowl XLII in 2008.
Kentucky and Arkansas kick off at 7:30 on Saturday on the SEC Network.
