Barion Brown sends Kentucky ahead 21-10 on Clemson with record-breaking 100-yard kick return

Barion Brown has made several opponents pay in the return game over his two seasons at Kentucky. Now, in the Gator Bowl against Clemson, the sophomore receiver has done so once again.

Brown had already scored a touchdown in the first half against Clemson. Then, coming out of the half, he broke off another kick return score to add to his career’s total.

.@BarionBrown goes 100 yards for the kick return TOUCHDOWN. pic.twitter.com/6WpbcY4k1Y

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) December 29, 2023

This return was the longest in the 79-game history of the Gator Bowl.

For Brown, it also gave him the new school record for kickoff return touchdowns both in a single season (three) and in a career (four).

As a freshman last year, Brown scored a 100-yard kickoff return in his collegiate debut. Now, with this one against the Tigers, Brown has his third of the season and second in as many games after doing so in his last outing at Louisville in the season-finale.

Through three quarters, Brown had caught three passes for 38 yards. He also scored his lone toss run from 22 yards out for the game’s first trip to the endzone.

For those counting at home, that gives Brown a total of 160 yards of offense and two scores off of five touches against the Tigers. That explosiveness has been a major key to the success of the Wildcat offense in Jacksonville today.

Brown has proven himself to be one of the best weapons in the country as a returner on special teams, if not the best. Now, as the game comes close the fourth quarter, that score could end up being the difference in the bowl matchup between the Wildcats and Tigers.

Maxwell Hairston dealing with wrist injury in Gator Bowl

The Gator Bowl has been going very well for Kentucky through the third quarter. However, the latest update from ESPN’s Taylor Tannebaum on the broadcast suggests there may be some issues regarding one of the Wildcats’ top defensive backs in Maxwell Hairston.

Per Tannebaum’s report, Hairston has been dealing with a injury to his right wrist since early in the game. After returning to the sideline after halftime and preparing to play, he has since returned to the medical tent on the Kentucky sideline.

“Earlier in the first half, Maxwell Hairston, the team leader in interceptions with five on the season, left the game with a right wrist injury,” said Tannebaum. “Was taken into the locker room. I was told at halftime that he is available for the second half. He was out there but I just watched him go back into the injury tent. He’s in there right now. We’ll keep you posted.”

Hairston had already picked up an unsportsmanlike conduct call early in the game against Clemson.