Maxwell Hairston (31) celebrates the first of two interception returns for touchdowns against Vanderbilt. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Beating Vanderbilt was something that Kentucky running back Ray Davis really wanted to do after transferring from Vandy to UK. However, even though he scored two touchdowns and ran for 78 yards, Davis knew who was the star of the game for the Cats in the 45-28 win.
“Did you see what Max did? What’s crazy is that we talked about this all week. This game meant so much to him and he made a statement today,” Davis told SEC Network sideline reporter Alyssa Lang after the game when asked about sophomore Maxwell Hairston. “He had a good day.”
How good?
So good that he became the first UK player ever to return two interceptions for touchdowns in the same game. He had a 29-yard return in the first quarter and a 54-yard runback in the fourth quarter. He also had four solo tackles and three pass breakups.
Hairston called it a “blessing” that he was able to do what he did and said on the UK Radio Network he was “just doing my job” on both plays. He told UK Radio Network sideline reporter Dick Gabriel he had put in extra work watching film and was “dialed in to how they lined up and just played ball.”
He said his first interception that he took in full stride was because he watched the quarterback’s eyes.
“I seen the ball in the air and went to get it,” he said. “The second one I had been watching what they do and was just executing.”
What I really liked was that Hairston was so humble after his record-setting performance.
“I give thanks to the older guys here before me for teaching me how to study and prepare,” Hairston said.
Now Kentucky is 4-0 going into the home game this Saturday with Florida, a team that lost at Utah but pummeled Tennessee.
“We just have to continue to get the little mishaps out of the way, play fast and take time to study our opponents,” Hairston said. “We have got a lot of momentum and have got to carry it over (to Florida).”
One Response
Nice win despite the penalties, interceptions, dropped passes, and a litany of other miscues.
I suppose one way to look at this team is to cite its high ceiling if it can quit shooting itself in the foot, and hope it reaches that ceiling starting next Saturday.