Dane Key celebrates his first touchdown catch. (UK Athletics Photo)
Virginia Tech transfer Tayvion Robinson was sensational in his first game at Kentucky with six catches on eight targets for 136 yards along with one big punt return.
However, the senior knew the biggest buzz from Kentucky’s 37-13 win over Miami of Ohio was about freshmen receivers Barion Brown and Dane Key.
“Those two kids are going to be special,” said Robinson.
Special? Yes, they are.
Both were key pieces in UK’s talented 2022 recruiting class. Both had their choices of big-time schools and picked Kentucky. Both started as true freshmen in their first game at receiver, something that doesn’t happen a lot for Southeastern Conference teams.
Brown electrified the stadium with his 100-yard kickoff return to start the second half — UK’s first kickoff return for a touchdown since Derrick Locke in 2009. He cut left about the 20-yard line, found a lane, and outran everyone to the end zone.
His only mistake — he dropped the ball just after crossing the goal line. The play was reviewed but Brown clearly was in the end zone when he let go of the ball and then did a little celebratory dance.
“We have done a good job being solid (in kickoff return) but sometimes you gotta have dudes who can just go,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said.
Stoops admitted he was a “little nervous” during the potential fumble review that would have negated the touchdown.
“We needed that big play. You hate to see that happen and get wiped away. He veered instead of running straight in (at the goal line). I told him to hand the ball to the official,” Stoops said. “But he is a great young man. He is very respectful. He wants to do great. He will learn.”
“The good news is he had control (of the ball) and chose to do it like that but it was a little too close for comfort.”
Brown also had three catches for 45 yards, including one 38-yard play.
Key, the hometown star, had four catches on four targets for 53 yards and a fourth-quarter. He also drew a pass interference call in the end zone and three plays later caught a 1-yard scoring strike from quarterback Will Levis.
Stoops said Key was one of the players who “showed flashes of how athletic they are” and Robinson was not surprised.
“You got to see a little bit of what they (Key and Brown) can do. Barion is fast, a track guy. He’s a playmaker,” Robinson said. “Dane stepped up as soon as he got here.”
Now they get to play their first SEC game at Florida in what will be one of the biggest games of the season for Kentucky.
