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RECAP: Kentucky Defeats Eastern Kentucky 28-17

Published

2 years ago

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Kentucky linebacker Trevin Wallace celebrating a play against Eastern Kentucky at Kroger Field.
Ethan Rand/UK Athletics

After losing to the Cincinnati Bearcats 66-13 in Week 1, many people didn’t expect EKU to march into Kroger Field and give Kentucky much competition, but they did. After a very slow and sloppy first half, UK slipped by EKU with a 28-17 victory.

Momentum for EKU Early On

To open the game, the crowd was very excited to see how Liam Coen and the UK offense would do against an FCS opponent, but after a big completion to Dane Key, the offense stalled. Kentucky would then fail to move the chains, meaning that they were forced to punt around midfield. Things would proceed to go from bad to worse as Wilson Berry’s punt was blocked.

This resulted in a great field position for the EKU Colonels. Parker McKinney would put on a show on EKU’s opening drive, and ultimately would McKinney scramble for a touchdown to make it 7-0 right out of the gate.

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Late in the first quarter, Kentucky would march down the field, but after being stopped on the 33-yard line, Mark Stoops elected to go for it on 4th and 9. In disastrous fashion, Devin Leary was sacked for a big loss.

Starting to Turn Things Around

The 2nd quarter would prove to be more friendly for the Cats. When it looked like UK was about to go down by two scores, Maxwell Hairston got an interception at the EKU 4 yard line. The sophomore DB’s 1st career pick was pivotal in swinging the momentum in favor of Kentucky.

With halftime just a mere 42 seconds away, Devin Leary found Tayvion Robinson in the back of the end zone to tie the game at 7. Finally, Kentucky had gotten on the board.

Offense Gaining Steam

Following the 2nd half kickoff, EKU had a long drive that would go all the way inside the 10-yard line. However, Brad White and the UK defense were able to keep the Colonels out of the end zone. EKU would kick a chip-shot field goal to make the score 10-7 with 9:41 in the 3rd quarter.

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Leary would then find Robinson yet again in the end zone minutes later, giving Kentucky a 14-10 lead. Quickly, Kentucky would add more salt to EKU’s wound, as Barion Brown also managed to get into the end zone, meaning UK led 21-10 after three-quarters of play.

Finishing Things Off

To begin the 4th quarter, McKinney found an open receiver for a quick touchdown, which made the score 21-17. All of a sudden EKU had clawed back into the game, and their was an overwhelming feeling of anxiety glooming over Kroger Field.

Ray Davis would give UK some cushion, however, after getting into the end zone with a reception. That would make the score 28-17, giving UK some breathing room with regulation coming to a close.

As EKU drove down the field to try to make a comeback, Deone Walker shut things down with a sack to make it 4th and 14. That would up being the final nail in the coffin, and Kentucky advanced to 2-0, avoiding the major upset.

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View the box score from the game here. Below, you can find the full UK vs EKU highlight reel:

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Two More Wildcats Eye NFL Futures

Two more Wildcats are receiving opportunities to accomplish their NFL dreams.

Published

1 week ago

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May 10, 2025

By

UK Athletics

Linebacker D’Eryk Jackson and kicker Alex Raynor are the latest Kentucky Wildcats aiming to make their mark in the NFL.

Jackson, a 6-foot-1, 244-pound linebacker, signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks after impressing during the team’s rookie minicamp.

In his five seasons playing college football, Jackson amassed 216 total tackles including 17 tackles for loss, 9 sacks and five interceptions.

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The former Kentucky standout and the teams leading tackler from 2022 and 2023 will now compete for a spot on the Seahawks final 53-man roster.

Raynor, meanwhile, received an invitation to attend the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ rookie camp, which runs May 9–11.

The Kennesaw, Georgia, native made 25 of 27 field-goal attempts in two seasons with Kentucky, including a school-record 55-yarder.

His performance earned him SEC Special Teams Player of the Year honors in 2024 and a shot to prove himself at the next level.

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With the addition of Jackson and Raynor to NFL rosters, the total number of Kentucky Wildcats now vying for a spot in the league has reached 10.

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Saskatchewan Roughriders Sign Octavious Oxendine to CFL Deal

Published

2 weeks ago

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May 8, 2025

By

UK Athletics

On Wednesday, it was officially announced that former Wildcats defensive lineman Octavious Oxendine agreed to play with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

Oxendine becomes only the fifth player from Kentucky to take their talents up north. Those before him included fellow Roughrider Micah Johnson, Josh Ali of the Calgary Stampeders, Lynn Bowden of the BC Lions and Quandre Mosely Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The Radcliff, Kentucky, native played five seasons in Lexington. Making 19 starts in 47 games played, Oxendine recorded 78 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick.

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In 2024, Oxendine appeared in all 12 games for the Wildcats and made one start against Murray State, finishing his final season with a team-second best four sacks.

A key performance by Oxendine helped Kentucky defeat the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels in Oxford, Mississippi, as the defensive lineman recorded three tackles and a career-high two sacks for a combined 10 yards lost. His first sack came on a third down play, forcing the Rebels to punt, and the second led to Ole Miss letting the clock run out to end the first half.

The standout performance led to Oxendine being named SEC Defensive Player of the Week.

In December 2024, Oxendine graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in social work. Additionally, the recent graduate was named the 2025 CATSPY Male Supporting Role Award.  

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Now in green, Oxendine will take the field with the Saskatchewan Roughriders as they are set to kickoff the preseason on Saturday, May 24, against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

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Tre’vonn Rybka Signs With Dolphins As Undrafted Free Agent

Published

3 weeks ago

on

April 29, 2025

By

John Clay | UK Athletics

Another Cat is heading to the NFL after defensive lineman Tre’vonn Rybka was signed by the Miami Dolphins in undrafted free agency on April 28, shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Rybka, who appeared in 48 games over five seasons with Kentucky, amassed 95 tackles including 5 sacks. As a senior, he started all 12 games, finishing with 34 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks.

He now joins a Dolphins defense that used their No. 13 pick in this year’s draft on Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, meaning Rybka will have to compete for a roster spot in a deep defensive front rotation.

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Off the field, Rybka, who was adopted by his grandparents as a child due to his mother’s battle with addiction, is an active member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass. He was awarded the “Big Ambassador of the Year” award in 2024 for his commitment to mentoring and supporting the youth.

His commitment to give back to the community and its youth reflects dedication to make a positive impact both on and off the football field.

Rybka will report to the Dolphins rookie camp on May 9-12, before he officially fights for a spot on the 53-man roster in June.

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