Tayvion Robinson celebrated after his first-half touchdown catch Saturday. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Tayvion Robinson’s 2022 season did not go the way he wanted after he transferred from Virginia Tech to Kentucky.
First, offensive coordinator Liam Coen, one of the reasons Robinson transferred to UK, left to return to the NFL. Second, he never truly clicked in new offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello’s offense and no longer was a primary target. Third, he let his attitude become a problem at times.
“I felt at times I got a little selfish with touches last year. Everybody gets that way at times. We all want to make big plays,” he said. “This year I have just focused on my craft. I am good between the hashes. I have got better at blocking and keeping my attitude up and being a good teammate on the sideline and just playing faster.”
That combination all paid off against Eastern Kentucky in Saturday’s 28-17 win when he had six catches for 136 yards and two scores, including one late in the first half that enabled UK to tie the game 7-7. It was his third 100-yard game at UK and second game with two touchdowns but the previous two came early last season when he had 24 catches for 365 yards and three scores in the first five games and just 16 catches for 132 yards the rest of the year.
Robinson opted to come back to UK for another season because of Coen’s return to Mark Stoops’ staff and Coen has pushed him from day one.
“He’s been responding and practicing that way every day,” Coen said after Saturday’s win. “The nice thing about him is when you get into a live situation where people have to tackle him, he shows some of his miss-ability and his ability to win in space.
“I was really happy for Tay today. The more he can do for us, the better our offense will be. When the bullets are flying, he shows up.”
Stoops was not only glad Robinson had touchdown catches of 24 and six yards but has learned to understand the value of patience and waiting for his chance to shine.
“He’s explosive. He’s good in the return game, and he is showing better leadership and just playing really hard,” Stoops said. “And within this offense, most guys just have to continue to grind and some days they pop up with statistics, and other days they’re not.”
Last year freshmen Barion Brown and Dane Key became the main receivers. They were the most hyped receivers going into this season but Robinson has nine catches for 174 yards in two games — more yards than he had the second half of last season.
“We have a really good starting three receivers,” Robinson, who had a 56-yard catch and run, said. “Going week to week it could be any guy’s game. Everybody gets touches but anybody could have a big day. It is just a very unselfish room and group.”
Robinson admitted the 24-yard scoring catch he made just before halftime surprised him.
“That was a great ball (from Devin Leary). Honestly I didn’t think it was coming to me. I thought it was going to Dane. He (Leary) took a chance and we scored.”
Robinson believes the offense is developing better chemistry each week despite its sluggish first half against Eastern Kentucky and expects better play this week against Akron.
“We are feeling more comfortable as a unit. I think we will go out there better (in our next game),” he said.
