Landon Young (UK Athletics Photo)
What did Kentucky offensive tackle Landon Young think about beating Tennessee 34-7 Saturday to end a 36-year UK losing streak in Knoxville?
“It’s bigger (rivalry) than Louisville. I look forward to beating their butt. We knew we could do it,” Young said Tuesday.
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops was obviously ecstatic to get the win and even UK’s record at 2-2 going into Saturday’s game at Missouri. However, Stoops downplayed any extra significance for the win. Not Young. He was candid about what beating the Volunteers meant.
“It is a huge deal confidence-wise,” Young said.
He compared it to UK’s win at Florida in 2018 when the Cats ended a 31-year losing skid to the Gators. Kentucky won on to finish 10-3 and beat Penn State in the Citrus Bowl.
Young grew up in Kentucky and knew all about both streaks. He admitted he had heard way too much about both before UK ended them.
“We have gone into a hostile environment and done something that has not been done in 36 years,” Young said. “If you can beat a team like that you can play with anybody.”
Young said the win would be a mental boost the rest of this season.
“Look at the season we beat Florida. We had confidence and that’s the reason we won so many (games) after that,” Young said.
Even though UK has its own winning streak against Missouri, Young understands in SEC play that mistakes can get any team beat. He also understands UK also likely will not get a lot of respect despite being Tennessee because the national scenario now is that the Vols have hit bottom.
“Each and every week for us, we want to prove we are the best,” Young said. “We get all that crap
each and every week. UK is not good. Started 0-2. Keep on doubting us. We want to make streaks of our own. We have heard about them our whole life. We want to not only break it (the losing streak at Tennessee), but make our own streak. Turn it around on them the next 36 years and see how it feels.”
Young said he’ll have that same mindset against Missouri.
“I want to go out and dominate and at the end of 60 minutes want them to know I was there and remember I was there,” the senior lineman said. “They have to match our intensity to beat us.”
