Trevin Wallace could have been playing for Florida against Kentucky Saturday night. The Georgia linebacker was seriously considering the Gators before his family’s influence helped him pick the Cats.
“I really went with my parents’ decision. When my parents felt comfortable at Kentucky, I felt comfortable with it too,” he said Saturday night after UK beat No. 10 Florida 20-13.
In a game filled with big plays, he had one of the biggest. After Josh Paschal blocked a Florida field goal try, the ball bounced to Wallace. He showed why he was such a terrific athlete by picking up the ball, avoiding two tacklers and racing 74 yards to score.
It was Kentucky’s first blocked field goal return for a touchdown since David Jones’ 57-yard return against Vanderbilt in 2008.
“When I caught the ball, my whole body went into running back mode. I knew it was time to go. My natural instinct will always be to go into running back mode,” Wallace said.
A roar erupted at Kroger Field during his return.
“I’m not going to lie, I was nervous. I’m just not used to that kind of environment,” he said.
Apparently, neither was Florida. The Gators had eight false start penalties.
“It was big time. When the crowd was loud and the quarterback was clapping his hands, everything was just so loud that you couldn’t even hear him,” Wallace said.
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops was not surprised by Wallace’s play.
“He’s an unbelievable athlete. I mean, he got that ball, there was no stopping him now,” the UK coach said. “He’s a freaky athlete. I mean, he was gone. It didn’t surprise me.”
6 Responses
I thought this play was the difference for the cats to win.
A blocked FGA returned for a TD is just as much a turnover as an intereption returned for a TD.
Tonight’s turnover margin for UK: +1
And I agree that provided the difference in the game.
The heroics of this epic play are not only Josh Paschal’s tip and Trevin Wallace’s clean catch and sprint to the back of the end zone, but the critical, legal blocks by sprinting teammates accompanying him. I always fear big returns being nullified by sloppy blocks in the back, which is really all the officials have to look for on such plays.
Great point Dave on the blocking
This was a big time play, no doubt, they all were, but the plays that counted the most IMO were the 8 stops at the goal line by the UK defense, none more so than Jones’ play in breaking up the last Florida attempt through the air as he tipped the ball away and broke up the pass attempt on 4th down. Game over.
No argument there Pup