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Kentucky Vs. Ohio Recap

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The Kentucky Wildcats had their best offensive performance of the season in a 41-6 victory over the Ohio Bobcats.
© Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Kentucky’s offense started off slow only scoring a field goal in the first. The Wildcats defensive line maintained pressure on Ohio’s backup QB Nick Poulos. until Jamarion Wilcox sparked the offense in the first quarter with 3 big runs for a total of 63 yards. Kentucky started the second quarter with a rushing touchdown from Demie Sumo-Karngbaye. Halfway through the second quarter fifth year senior JJ Weaver recovered a fumble to keep the score at 10-0. Brock Vandagriff then started to find his rhythm connecting with Dane Key on a crucial 3rd down for 36 yards. Following the turnover Wildcats RB Sumo-Karngbaye found himself in the endzone for his second TD of the half which extended the lead to 17-0.

Late in the 3rd quarter the Wildcats Pre-season All-American cornerback Maxwell Hairston picked off the Bobcats and ran it back for a TD growing the lead to 27-0. After a 27-yard pass from Ohio’s QB Nick Poulos to WR Coleman Owen followed by a 22-yard run from the Bobcats’ Rickey Hunt Jr. The Bobcats when then find their way into the end zone making the score 27-6 at the end of the 3rd. Barion Brown opened up the 4th quarter scoring with a 23-yard TD run for the Wildcats. The Kentucky defense would then go onto force another punt which concluded with a Gavin Wimsatt-led TD drive. The Wildcats would then cruise to victory with a 41-6 win against the Bobcats.

3 Big Takeaways

Brock Vandagriff got the passing game going with 237 Yds going 17/24 through the air. He also added 21 yards on the ground on 7 carries. Wildcats QB was able to get it going after the offense was successful with the run setting up numerous play-action passes. After struggling the past couple of weeks in the air Kentucky was able to roll Brock out in the pocket and have him make tough on-the-run throws which he excels at.

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The Dane Key Game. Dane Key had a career day catching 7 passes for a total of 145 yds. It was imperative to get Key going in his junior year after a slow start to the season. Although Key didn’t get in the endzone, he was able to set up a couple of rushing TDs for Sumo-Karngbaye.

Kentucky’s Defense was dominant the entire game. The Wildcats forced a total of 2 turnovers one being returned for a touchdown. The defense was able to hold the Bobcats’ offense to a total of 223 yds. Kentucky’s defense continues to be a bright spot of the team as we anticipated all off-season. The Wildcats defense will have a huge test next week as they face off with offensive powerhouse Ole Miss in Oxford.

Box Score

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Maxwell Hairston Drafted No. 30 To The Buffalo Bills

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Maxwell Hairston
Caleb Bowlin | UK Athletics

Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston has officially started the next chapter of his career, selected No. 30 by the Buffalo Bills in the late first round.

At 6-foot-1 and 186 pounds, Hairston has come a long way since signing with the Wildcats as a 3-star prospect out of Michigan in 2021.

Although he missed five games this past season due to injury,  Hairston was still selected to Second-Team All-SEC with 19 tackles, two forced fumbles, an interception and four deflections.

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“Mad Max” took a huge jump in the draft boards after running the fastest 40-yard dash among cornerbacks in Indianapolis, completing the drill in just 4.28 seconds.

At 21 years old, Hairston brings a level of experience from the toughest conference in college football, the SEC, to go along with elite speed and length to make him a potential starter for defensive coordinator Bobby Babich.

As one of the few invited to the NFL Draft, Big Blue Nation had a good look at Hairston with his family before his name was called.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called the former Wildcats’ name just before the night ended, making the West Bloomfield native’s dreams come true.

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Ray Davis went to social media to share his excitement to have a familiar face in the locker room.

The National Football League shared an emotional video of Hairston embracing his father after the Bills drafted him.

Time will tell how Hairston’s role will pan out in the league, but rest assured, “Mad Max” will go down as one of the best defensive players in the Mark Stoops era.

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Running Back Revamp: Kentucky Adds Former Oklahoma, New Mexico State Transfer

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New Mexico State University Athletics

The Wildcats bolstered their backfield with the addition of former Oklahoma and New Mexico State running back Seth McGowan on April 20, per KSR’s Nick Roush.

Standing at 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, McGowan brings size and downhill power to Kentucky’s offense. Coming off a productive season at New Mexico State, he rushed for 823 yards and three touchdowns while adding 23 receptions for 277 yards and three more scores through the air.

A former four-star recruit in the class of 2019, McGowan originally signed with Oklahoma and logged 370 rushing yards, three touchdowns and 201 receiving yards with one touchdown during his lone season with the Sooners.

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On May 7, 2021, McGowan was removed from Oklahoma following his involvement in a legal case in which he was arrested and charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The charges were ultimately dismissed, but he pleaded guilty to larceny from a person at nighttime in December of that year.

After a stint at NAIA school Texas College in 2022, where he did not see game action, McGowan continued his path back to Division I football, playing six games with Butler Community College before transferring to New Mexico State for the 2024 season.

Now, with his past behind him, McGowan has a chance to turn the page and contribute in a major way to the Wildcats’ offense.

Running backs coach Jay Boulware, who helped Oklahoma sign McGowan out of high school, likely played a role in bringing him to Kentucky, where he is expected to have one year of eligibility remaining.

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Along with Nebraska transfer Dante Dowdell, McGowan could be a part of a versatile and punishing backfield tandem for the Wildcats. While Dowdell brings a physical, downhill rushing style, McGowan’s ability to contribute in both the run and pass game adds a dynamic layer to offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan’s pro-style system, which emphasizes balance and explosive playmaking.

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Jamon Dumas-Johnson: A NFL Draft Steal

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Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson (2) makes the sign of the cross while taking a knee before the game.
Carter Skaggs | Imagn

Before he transferred to Kentucky, Jamon Dumas-Johnson was an All-American at Georgia, with waves to at least test the NFL draft after winning a National Championship. However, with the decision to play his last collegiate season as a Wildcat, Dumas-Johnson was a cornerstone piece for the Kentucky defense, finishing the season with 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks during his 11 starts for the team. 

His athleticism spoke volumes at Kentucky football’s NFL pro day, where current NFL draft boards now list the linebacker as one of the best athletes at the position and has earned himself a “top 10” feel ahead of the draft. Before pro day, publications such as Bleacher Report had him listed as No. 13 at his position. 

Dumas-Johnson proved himself with the highest vertical jump (37.5) and the longest broad jump (10.60) out of the Wildcats who competed in said events, and ran an impressive best 4.50 40-yard dash. At 245 pounds, he also managed to press 16 reps of 225, which could technically be “better” compared to NFL standards, but is impressive nonetheless in hindsight.

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At 23 years old, this linebacker exploits explosiveness, agility and can hawk down any playmaker on the field. Out the 31 NFL teams that attended the event (a Cleveland Browns representative did not attend), one will be getting a prize steal of the draft with Dumas-Johnson. 

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