Florida coach Dan Mullen says Kentucky receiver Wan'Dale Robinson is an explosive playmaker. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Will Florida coach Dan Mullen not knowing Wan’Dale Robinson’s name when asked about the Kentucky receiver Monday provide any extra pregame motivation for the Cats going into Saturday night’s game with No. 10 Florida?
Many Kentucky fans, and even assistant coach Vince Marrow, think it should and took it as a sign of disrespect by the Florida coach.
Robinson has 25 catches for 402 yards — the most of any Southeastern Conference player — and two scores in four games. He’s had at least five catches in every game and has gone over 100 yards in three games.
When Mullen was asked Monday at his weekly press conference what he thought of Robinson, he said, “Which one? What number? I know numbers, you know what I’m saying.”
The reporter told him Robinson was No. 1 and Mullen went on to praise Robinson for being an explosive playmaker.
So what’s the big deal?
During my nearly 47 years covering sports, coaches often have not known an opposing player’s name but can tell you about him by number. Coaches watch video to scout and identify numbers, not names. Plus Mullen is an offensive guru who may not have delved into the UK offense that much by Monday morning.
To me, it was more important what Kentucky coach Mark Stoops had to say about Robinson. Quarterback Will Levis revealed after the South Carolina game that Robinson had been banged up all week even though he had seven catches for 65 yards in Columbia.
“He is available to play. At this point, there are nagging things with people and it’s fair to say he has something nagging him,” Stoops said, obviously intent on not revealing any information.
With the hits Robinson is going to take, he’s going to be sore. But Levis has a connection with him and Stoops is not worried about targeting Robinson too much.
“There were times when I wish he (Levis) was lasered in on him more. So, no, in this offense there’s the ability to distribute the football. Guys have to do what they are supposed to do. He’s got a very, very high football IQ and he’s got a great competitive nature about him,” Stoops said.
