New format for Blue-White Spring game announced

The+Kentucky+Wildcats+take+the+field+prior+to+the+blue+white+spring+game+at+Commonwealth+Stadium+on+Friday%2C+April+14%2C+2017+in+Lexington%2C+KY.+Photo+by+Addison+Coffey+%7C+Staff.

The Kentucky Wildcats take the field prior to the blue white spring game at Commonwealth Stadium on Friday, April 14, 2017 in Lexington, KY. Photo by Addison Coffey | Staff.

Kernel Sports Staff

UK football’s Blue-White Spring is usually a unique experience compared to regular season games, but this year’s scrimmage will be even more unique with a new scoring format.

The Cats have suffered from plenty of injuries in this year’s spring practices, forcing them to divide the two teams up to offense (blue team) and defense (white team). In a regular game, most would put their bets on the blue team to win every time, but the coaches have implemented some new scoring rules to make it compeititive for both sides. 

Offense

Ways to score for the offense will traditionally be the same. The blue team will receive six points for a touchdown, three points for a field goal and one point for an extra-point kick.

The blue team will have the chance to earn additional points by keeping drives alive. If the offense gets back-to-back first downs to start a drive, it will receive two points, and an additional for each first down afterwards. However, all those first-down points would be wiped off the board if the offense finishes the drive with a touchdown or field goal.

Defense

The new scoring rules mostly apply to the defense, and they will have the chance to score in a variety of ways. Here’s the ways the white team can put points on the board.

  • Force a turnover = 4 points
  • 4th-down stop = 2 points
  • Force offense to go three and out = 2 points
  • Sack = 1 point
  • Tackle for loss = 1 point 

The defense can also score points if it scores a touchdown off a turnover, just like in a regular season game.

Special teams

Due to all the injuries sustained, the special teams will barely see any playing time on Friday. There will be no kickoffs, and for punts, there will only be a punter, snapper and returner on the field with no return.

Kickoff for the scrimmage is set for 6:30 p.m. at Kroger Field.