This time though, he'll be wearing the opposing colors of the Louisville Cardinals.Gordon, a 5-foot-10 inch, 206-pound junior, transferred to U of L after the Cards' 13-10 victory in the opener of the 1995 season. At UK he was third-string tailback behind Ray McLaurin and Moe Williams.
In 1994, Gordon gained 99 yards on nine carries in a 24-7 loss to Vanderbilt at Commonwealth Stadium. In two seasons in Lexington, Gordon gained 315 yards on 52 carries. His lone collegiate touchdown came against Kent in 1993.
At South Oldham High School, Gordon was a consensus all-state selection and was selected as the Kentucky Player of the Year by Gatorade. He was also a finalist for the Kentucky Mr. Football award.
According to Louisville coach Ron Cooper, Gordon will see playing time behind starter Frank Moreau. Cooper said that Gordon has "earned the right to carry the football" because of his practice habits and his ability to hold on to the ball.
UK coach Bill Curry is also expecting to see Gordon carry the ball against his former teammates.
"He's a big, tough, hard runner," Curry said of Gordon. "He's a tremendous player."
Bell dismissed
UK defensive tackle Harold Bell was dismissed from the team, UK coach Bill Curry announced on Tuesday.
A transfer from Los Angeles Southwest Junior College, Bell was on the third team at the time of his dismissal.
Early start
The Aug. 31 starting date for the UK football team is the earliest in school history.
Eight making first career start
Eight players are tenatively listed as making their first collegiate start.
They are: defensive tackle Jeff tanner, linebacker Dele Ali, cornerback Chris Ford, tight end Chad Spencer, left tackle Jeremy Streck, left guard David Berringer, right guard DeAnthony Honaker and wide receiver Quentin McCord.
Schlarman, Stewart out
Center John Schlarman and linebacker Anwar Stewart are the lone players listed on the injury report as of Thursday.
Smith debuts as defensive coordinator
Rick Smith will be making his debut as the Wildcats' defensive coordinator tomorrow night.
Smith is taking over for Mike Archer, who left to become the linebackers' coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Smith had been the secondary coach for the Cats since 1990, the first year Curry was in Lexington.