Octavious Oxendine had a big game against ULM
All preseason part of the buzz about Kentucky football was the depth on the defensive line and the talent level of the young players waiting for a chance to show what they could do. Octavious Oxendine didn’t waste any time. He had a career-high five tackles (three unassisted) that included a tackle for loss in the 45-10 win over ULM last week. He had three straight tackles on the second series of the game even though he said after Wednesday’s practice he did not know he had done that.
“I didn’t even know I did it, honestly, until I got to the sideline and everybody was telling me I made every tackle,” said Oxendine. “I was just playing football.”
He will need to do that again Saturday night when UK hosts Southeastern Conference rival Missouri. Coach Mark Stoops praised Oxendine earlier this week when he talked about the UK defense that had 14 tackles for loss and gave up only 87 total yards to ULM.
“I thought he played faster than he has in the past. He’s worked hard in the off-season. He scraped and played fast and played with great energy. I was excited about that,” the UK coach said.
Defensive coordinator Brad White thought the second-year defensive tackle played at a “high level” in the opening game — which was what recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow expected when he landed the four-star prospect out of North Hardin when many thought he might go to Tennessee.
Defensive line coach Anwar Stewart loves Oxendine’s work ethic on a daily basis and says following the lead of senior Josh Paschal has been a huge plus for the redshirt freshman.
“He’s playing really fast, and the game is slowing down for him. It’s just one of those things where let’s see how many back-to-back weeks he can put up because we’re waiting for some of these young guys to step up,” Stewart said.
2 Responses
What a wonderful young man, as well as football player. Everything I have read and heard about O is so positive. What a blessing to his family and all around him.
He really is John