All-Stars play like roughnecks

"You hate to see that in an all-star game," said Tennessee linebacker Baron Huber, a former Powell High School star who is signed with Alabama. "It kind of ruins it. That's not what it's all about. Things happen."

Kentucky beat Tennessee 41-27 in the 22nd annual Ten-nessee-Kentucky All-Star Foot-ball Classic amid several questionable calls and shoving matches.

The worst incident of the night came as Kentucky was trying to take a knee and run out the clock leading 41-27 with: 20 left in the game. After Kentucky quarterback Brandon Smith was whistled down, Tennessee defensive back Blake McAdams leveled Smith.

Several players were involved in an ensuing fracas before coaches and officials restored order to Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Amid boos, several Tennessee players left the field without shaking hands with Kentucky's players.

Tennessee was called for seven penalties for 48 yards. Kentucky was flagged three times for 35 yards. What was supposed to be an exhibition was a far more physical contest than most expected.

Tennessee offensive lineman Darius Myers seemed shocked looking at the scoreboard after the game seeing that Kentucky had just won the fourth consecutive game in the series.

"They (officials) pulled it off for Kentucky," the UT signee said. "They wouldn't have beaten us if the officials would have done their job right."

UT's LaMarcus Coker and his teammates had plenty to lose. Coker is enrolled at UT, waiting for his opportunity to serve as Gerald Riggs' backup this fall. An injury could derail those plans.

"When you agree to play football, you agree to take the risk of getting hurt," the former Antioch tailback said. "I'm not scared of getting hurt. I've played this game my whole life."

Memphis East offensive lineman Dan Williams wasn't afraid to mix it up with his Kentucky counterparts. Williams was involved in two plays that could have drawn flags and two shoving matches.

"It really surprised me," the UT signee said. "It was just like we were back in high school. People were throwing low blows even in an all-star game. It caught me by surprise but I just had to man up and take it.

"When you get mad and get angry, you hit an extra gear. You just want to keep on going and going and never stop I did lose my head one time We had to overcome adversity."

Coker was asked as he was leaving the stadium, "Are you going back to Knoxville?"

He replied, "That's where I live. Where else would I go?"

UT fans and coaches will welcome him back. Thankfully, he'll return healthy.

"It was more like a wrestling match than a football game," Coker said. "I didn't know they played ball like that in Kentucky. It was a dirty game. It got a little out of control. It was hard for us players to control our temper After every play, somebody was doing something dirty."