Football

Recap and Takeaways from Kentucky’s 45-28 Win Over Vanderbilt

Published

2 years ago

September 25, 2023

Kentucky running back Ray Davis running against Vanderbilt.

UK Athletics/Elliott Hess

The Kentucky Wildcats open conference play with a win, as they defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores 45-28 in Nashville on Saturday. In previous games, Kentucky was sluggish out of the gate, but they would pick things up as the game progressed.

Today, however, the complete opposite was true. Kentucky would lead 21-0 after the first quarter, but it was back and forth between the two teams the rest of the way. Here’s a quick rundown of how the Cats advanced to 4-0:

Brad White’s unit set the tone on defense early in the game. Vanderbilt punted after going three-and-out on the first series of the game. Devin Leary would get things going with a 14 yard completion to Dane Key, which set up a 36 yard touchdown run from JuTahn McClain. On Vandy’s next drive, Maxwell Hairston would get a pick six to make the score 14-0 early. Then, Devin Leary found Barion Brown for 55 yards, which put Ray Davis in position to score an easy touchdown. The Cats were up three possessions after fifteen minutes of play.

The 2nd quarter opened up with a 22 yard scramble from Devin Leary, and from there, Alex Raynor sunk a 27 yard chip shot field goal to make it 24-0. Vanderbilt would match Kentucky’s effort, however, as they finally got on the board with a 41 yard field goal of their own. Then, after a facemask penalty on Maxwell Hairston in coverage, Sedrick Alexander made the score 24-10 heading into the half with a rushing touchdown.

Despite getting the ball on the 35 yard line after the second half kickoff sailed out of bounds, Kentucky couldn’t do anything with the good field position, as the offense would go three-and-out. When UK got the ball back, they immediately gave it away via Devin Leary’s 2nd interception of the day, and Vandy would get a field goal out of that. D’Eryk Jackson would follow with an interception of his own, and Ray Davis then scored his 2nd touchdown of the game. The score was 31-13 after three.

Ray Davis would exit the game early after being shaken up following a 38 yard run. Soon after, Leary found Dane Key for a 22 yard pass to give Kentucky a 25 point lead. Vanderbilt then worked their way to a touchdown and a 2-point conversion to make it 38-21 with eight minutes to go. Then, Maxwell Hairston recorded his second pick six of the day to seal the game. Vanderbilt would score a touchdown as regulation came to a close, but ultimately, Kentucky won 45-28.

Maxwell Hairston Has a Historic Performance

Despite some questionable penalties called against him, Maxwell Hairston shined bright in Saturday’s game. He had his fair share of big plays and pass break ups, but the main reasons for his big game were his two pick-six’s. Hairston became the first Kentucky Wildcat to ever accomplish such a feat.

O-Line Getting Better, But Still Has Room to Grow

While there were some costly holding penalties called against multiple guys for the Big Blue Wall, they played much better today. Eli Cox and Jager Burton swapped positions, and Josh Kattus was out today with an injury. Despite the change up front, there were much fewer miscues and mistakes made on the line of scrimmage.

Ray Davis Shines in Homecoming Game

Ray Davis rushed 17 times for 78 yards and two touchdowns against his former team on Saturday. Despite leaving the game early due to being shaken up following his explosive 38 yard run, Davis was able to do what he does best: dominate in Nashville, whether it be for Vandy or for Kentucky.

After advancing to 4-0 (1-0 in SEC play), the Kentucky Wildcats will take on the Florida Gators at Kroger Field on September 30th. This will likely be Kentucky’s first ranked opponent of the season. View the box score from Kentucky’s 45-28 win against Vanderbilt here.

Football

Two More Wildcats Eye NFL Futures

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

Published

5 days ago

May 10, 2025

Israel Schill

UK Athletics

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

Go be great at the @Seahawks, @Derykjackson4. pic.twitter.com/ZHvVsVonNr— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) May 9, 2025

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.

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.

Go be great at the @Buccaneers, @acraynor1. pic.twitter.com/M8UOxK9rOm— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) May 8, 2025

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.

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.

Football

Saskatchewan Roughriders Sign Octavious Oxendine to CFL Deal

Published

1 week ago

May 8, 2025

Isaiah Pinto

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.

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.

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.

Football

Tre’vonn Rybka Signs With Dolphins As Undrafted Free Agent

Published

2 weeks ago

April 29, 2025

Israel Schill

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.

Go be great at the @MiamiDolphins, @trevonnrybka. pic.twitter.com/OkBHiubzyG— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) April 28, 2025

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.

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.