DeAndre Square (5) celebrates after his game-saving interception Saturday in the Citrus Bowl. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky’s defense was decimated by injuries, COVID protocols and fatigue. Iowa’s offense was having its way with the Wildcats in the second half. Senior linebacker DeAndre Square went down with an ankle injury covering a punt in the first half and it looked like he would not return to the game. In fact, Square said after the game that he was “ruled out” and was not supposed to be back on the field.
Guess who made the game-saving interception in the UK’s 20-17 Citrus Bowl win Saturday in Orlando?
Square did with a great diving catch that both quarterback Will Levis and receiver Wan’Dale Robinson rated as better than any other catch made in the game.
“All I could think about was my teammates,” Square said. “I was going to step in no matter how I was feeling. We have a lot of days to rest up, so I don’t care.”
Square said he was in a lot of pain on the field and still was after the game but got all the inspiration he needed from nose tackle Marquan McCall and returned to the game midway through the fourth quarter. He finished with six tackles.
“He grabbed me. He yanked me and said, ‘We need you.’ Something clicked,” Square said.
He asked for his helmet and despite still feeling some pain, he went back in the game.
He was watching the tight end on the play he made the interception when he noticed the tight end was not looking for the ball. Then he saw the running back who was the intended target.
Safety Yusuf Corker blitzed on the play and forced an early throw.
“I was not looking at the ball and then I saw something flying (toward him) and it was the ball,” Square said. “Do I let it fall or I am close enough to catch it. I tried to get under it (the ball) and it fit perfectly (in his hands).”
Three years ago when UK beat Penn State in the Citrus Bowl it was a fumble recovery by Chris Oats that secured the win. Oats was paralyzed by a summer illness and missed this season. He was in Orlando in a wheelchair watching the game.
“When I seen him out there, I was going to have the ball and was planning to run and give it to him (after the interception) but the refs snatched it from me,” Square said. “He was another person I thought about. I am in pain and wanted to stop but I have got to do this.”
And he did just that.
10 Responses
Gutty performance !
No Kentucky team has EVER had this kind of depth – that was proven on the field yesterday.
Preach it Paul
Also, a moment of silence for the portal ……………………………Amen.
Our players that played yesterday played their hearts out, playing out of position or newly playing. So proud of all of them.
Great game Cats. I will say that the guy that got to the QB and caused a bad throw is not getting nearly enough credit.
So right RJohn – had a great game ALL day. I’m thinking Corker will play on Sundays.
I was thanking how important the Corker touch actually was. If Corker had been a step quicker he may have made a tackle and given Iowa another chance. If he had been a step slower the pass may have been completed or just another down. What a play!
Corker has made big plays for lot of years. UK will miss him a lot
I believe for all the heroics on the offensive side to get the winning score, DeAndre Square is why UK got this win. The team trainer took his helmet away, taking him out of the game, but he insisted on going back in because his teammates were telling him “We need you” I believe the entire team drew unknown strength from his return to the game and that was the difference between a win and a loss..
Square was the man for sure. big play by Corker too