Tayvion Robinson accepted he would have limited touches against Florida. (Vicky Graff Photo)
It could not have been the kind of game Tayvion Robinson envisioned for himself at Florida.
The Virginia Tech transfer had only two passes thrown to him and had one catch for zero yards. He did run the ball four times for 11 yards to help UK’s depleted backfield. Robinson also had two punt returns for eight yards.
In Kentucky’s first game, he had six catches on eight targets for 136 yards with 103 yards coming after the catch against Miami.
Still, Kentucky beat Florida 26-16 using a lot of two- and three-tight end alignments, especially in the second half when it wore down the Gators.
“He was excited for it, no problem. He did a really good job in practice all week. We have a package off of that that could be unique and he’s a versatile player,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said Monday.
Kentucky associate coach Vince Marrow said Robinsons is a “great young man” and the type of leader Kentucky wants when it goes to the transfer portal because he values winning.
“You can’t be selfish. He is a really a great punt returner and does not get enough credit on that,” Marrow said. “He knew what the game plan was. He and the other receivers knew we would be using three tight ends and the game would revolve around that.”
“You have got to be unselfish to really buy in and do what it takes to win. When Dane (Key) scored (on a 55-yard reception), he was the first one to congratulate him.”
Marrow said not to worry about how big a role Robinson will have on the team this year.
“He will catch 80 or 90 balls. He will get more and more balls his way,” Marrow said. “All the receivers knew the ball would not come their way a lot (at Florida) but they all bought in and Tayvion certainly did. He understands winning is what comes first.”
