With arguably its biggest game in over six years set for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday night, Kentucky will be going back just as far to include one of its former star players in the pregame at Commonwealth Stadium.
Marcus McClinton, who starred at safety for the Wildcats from 2004-08, will be singing the national anthem prior to start of the contest with division rival Georgia.
Marcus McClinton will be back before the fourth quarter for the Georgia game, but first he has a message for the #BBN. #PackCWS pic.twitter.com/Km3QuFZXZd
— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) November 4, 2016
McClinton finished his Kentucky career with 154 tackles and nine interceptions. After he was finished in Lexington, he signed a free-agent contract with the New England Patriots in 2009 but was cut before training camp. It was not long after that the former UK standout said music is his passion and that football just paid the bills.
Kentucky (5-3, 4-2) needs one more win to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2010. If UK beats Georgia and Florida loses to Arkansas, the two teams would be tied for first place in the SEC East — though the Gators hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Tyler Waddell is a member of the Saturday Down South news team. He brings over five years of professional journalism experience and is closing in on a Bachelor's in sports management. Follow him on Twitter (@Tyler_Waddell).