Kentucky Football: Players Who Shined Against Southern Miss

Sep 3, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops shakes hands with Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles head coach Jay Hopson after the game at Commonwealth Stadium. Southern Mississippi defeated Kentucky 44-35. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops shakes hands with Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles head coach Jay Hopson after the game at Commonwealth Stadium. Southern Mississippi defeated Kentucky 44-35. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
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Sep 3, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Tavin Richardson (80) celebrates after completing a pass against the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles in the first half at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Tavin Richardson (80) celebrates after completing a pass against the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles in the first half at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Tavin Richardson

Tavin Richardson is rapidly becoming one of the Kentucky football team’s favorite wide receivers. He impressed all week in practice and took that momentum into the game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.

Richardson only had two receptions against the Golden Eagles, but he showed just how dangerous a receiver he can be on both plays.

Richardson finished the season opener with two receptions for a total of 74 yards. Both plays went for more than 30 yards, and both plays displayed the combination of strong hands and intriguing speed that Richardson possesses.

Whether in traffic or breaking free, Richardson has an uncanny ability to turn nothing into something.

Richardson pulled down receptions of 33 and 41 yards against Southern Miss. One was with a man draped all over him, and the other was an impressive pattern in which he gained enough separation to make a play.

Richardson also pulled down an insane one-handed catch at the back of the end zone, but the ball was overthrown and he landed out of bounds.

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The loss stings, but Kentucky has something to look forward to if these players continue to perform at the level they did in Week 1.

Schedule

Schedule