Mark Story: Pitt-iful showing a nightmare for Joker

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Karma seemed to have Joker Phillips set up with a dream scenario.

The last time Phillips wore the Kentucky uniform as a player was in a bowl game in historic Legion Field. Way back in 1984, Phillips caught six passes to help Jerry Claiborne's Cats upset Wisconsin in the Hall of Fame Bowl.

Yet rather than a triumphant return to Birmingham for a bowl in his first season as head coach of his alma mater, Phillips found the ultimate nightmare trip.

Pittsburgh whipped Kentucky 27-10 to claim the BBVA Compass Bowl trophy on a blustery, chilly Saturday in this cavernous old stadium.

Instead of capping its fifth straight winning season and fourth bowl victory in five years, Kentucky instead ended Phillips' first campaign with a 6-7 record.

Anna Paquin Diane Kruger Magdalena Wróbel Connie Nielsen Melissa George