Kentucky DB Maxwell Hairston dealing with wrist injury in Gator Bowl

The Gator Bowl has been going very well for Kentucky to this point of 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 also picked up an unsportsmanlike conduct call early in the game against Clemson.

Over his sophomore year in Lexington, Hairston had 63 tackles, six deflections, five interceptions, including two pick-sixes, and a forced fumble. That was good for first on the defense in picks, deflection, and interception scores and third on the unit in tackles.

Hairston is arguably Kentucky’s most impactful piece in the secondary. That’s why, with the fourth quarter closing in, they’ll want to get him back out on the field as soon as they can as they continue to monitor his wrist.

Barion Brown scores record-breaking, 100-yard kick return vs. Clemson

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).

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.