Key and Hairston garner national attention for Week Four performances

Pro Football Focus ranks both players as top performers in position groups

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW)- A pair of Kentucky football players are receiving national attention after stellar performances in a week four win versus Ohio.

Dane’s Dazzling Game

Wide receiver Dane Key caught seven passes for a career-high 145 yards and 39 yards after catch. The Frederick Douglass product’s catch, run and hurdle of an Ohio player was a highlight of the Wildcat’s win.

Pro Football Focus grades Key’s performance was a 91.5 which is tied with Tennessee’s Dont’e Thornton Jr. for first place across wide receivers in power four conferences.

Wide receivers coach Daikiel Shorts says that Key’s positive mentality in practice has made the praise no surprise.

“Dane is just playing how he practices. he practices extremely hard every day. It was nice for him to go out there on Saturday and reap some of the benefits of that,” said Shorts. “I thought he was going to get in the end zone once he hurdled that guy.”

Mad Max’s Mission

Hairston, a cornerback, intercepted an Ohio pass for a touchdown to extend Kentucky’s hefty lead.

He was given a 92.5 rating by PFF for his play and was the outright leader amongst power four cornerbacks.

“I really tried to bait the quarterback,” said Hairston. “I saw his eyes go to the flat and knew that was me.”

Hairston has been a part of a defense who have played well in the majority of its games. A highly ranked Ole Miss team is Kentucky’s next test away from home in Oxford.

“We’re accepting the challenge,” said Hairston.