Barion Brown shakes off mistake with kickoff return touchdown: "I was just ready for the next play"

Barion Brown set an SEC record tonight in Gainesville, but you wouldn’t know it looking at him afterward. The junior wide receiver was spotted being comforted by associate head coach Vince Marrow on the sideline in the aftermath of Kentucky’s 48-20 loss to Florida. It was a nightmare performance by the Cats, but Brown was responsible for two of the very few highlights.

Brown was on the receiving end of a 45-year flea flicker touchdown pass from Brock Vandagriff to tie the game at six near the start of the second quarter. About ten minutes later, he made a costly error, dropping a pass that fell into the hands of Florida’s Devin Moore, who returned the ball 52 yards to Kentucky’s one-yard line to set up a touchdown. On the very next play, Brown reminded us all of why he’s one of the most explosive players in college football, returning a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, his fifth kickoff return for a score, a new SEC record. It pulled Kentucky within striking distance of the Gators, 27-13, although that would not last for long.

“I think he felt bad on the one that deflected off his hands,” Stoops said of Brown’s return. “Heck, before I had a chance to see him after the kick return, he was up next to me on the sidelines. ‘I’m sorry.’ I said, ‘At least you went out and made up for it and made a big play.'”

“Coach always preached about playing the next play,” Brown said after the game. “It’s football. Not everything is going to go your way. I was just ready for the next play. Ready to make an impact.”

Brown insists that Kentucky’s offense is close to clicking and vowed not to let back-to-back losses affect his mindset.

“It’s football. Get back Monday to the drawing board. Make sure we go out there and execute. Practicing hard and just keeping our best foot forward.”

For Kentucky to have a chance of making a bowl, Barion and his teammates will have to.

7 deserves better. I can’t wait to watch him play on Sundays pic.twitter.com/CNEsz2BMBk

— Conner Caldwell (@connerjcaldwell) October 20, 2024