Wan'Dale Robinson (UK Athletics Photo)
Kentucky has not had a receiver have 100-yard games in the first two games of a season since Craig Yeast in 1998 and has not had a receiver with consecutive 100-yard games since Jeff Badet in 2016. Wan’Dale Robinson caught five passes for 101 yards in Saturday’s win over Missouri after the former Western Hills standout started the season with five catches for 125 yards against ULM.
Robinson even had an electrifying 64-yard run on UK’s first possession. However, his most talked about play was a second-half collision where a Missouri defensive back and Robinson collided at full speed going for a pass. A personal foul targeting penalty was called because of the helmet-to-helmet contact before a review waved off the flag, a call Kentucky coach Mark Stoops obviously did not like.
“I couldn’t … I cannot at all understand why, you know, it wasn’t (targeting),” Stoops said after the 35-28 win. “I need an explanation.
“I will not be giving you that explanation. I like … I don’t want to spend that money on that (to pay a SEC fin), you know? So I won’t tell you. But I can tell you they’re going to say he didn’t hit him in the head.”
Robinson managed to take the hit and after briefly leaving the game came back in to help UK finish the win.
“I mean, you can’t say enough good things about him, really. Just so tough. Took shots, just bounces back up,” Stoops said. “Two long passes were critical that he hauled in today that weren’t easy catches. Those are difference makers.
“You’ve heard me talk about it in here for a long time. You got to have guys that can make some big-time plays. And it’s nice to have him on our team.”
Robinson, the first UK receiver with a 100-yard game in a SEC opener since Garret Johnson at Florida in 2014, was just glad Kentucky won.
“We felt like we could’ve pushed the lead a little further,” Robinson said. “I don’t think we’re playing near the top of our game. Once we really start clicking, people are going to be aware.”
His catch on a third-and-12 play on UK’s final touchdown drive was one of Kentucky’s biggest offensive plays of the game.
“It’s something the coaches harp on with third downs. They say that we usually take a whole day with third downs,” Robinson said. “We just need to make sure we’re on the same page with (quarterback) Will (Levis), and we just have to go out there and make plays.”
Which is something Robinson does very, very well.
2 Responses
This young man is the real deal, one heck of an athlete. I sure hope and pray he can stay healthy. He is taking a lot of punishment. His toughness and skill are remarkable for his size. My prediction? Robinson will be a legend at UK before he’s through.
He is really tough kid. Watched him lot in high school and he can take a hit and keep going