Dane Key was one of Pro Football Focus' highest-graded Wide Receivers in Week 4

Dane Key broke out in a big way in Kentucky’s 41-6 win over Ohio, totaling seven catches for 145 yards, both career highs. Turns out it wasn’t just his best game of the season, or arguably career. It was one of the best performances by a wide receiver in all of college football that week.

Pro Football Focus released its grades for Week Four and Dane is tied for first among Power Four wide receivers. He and Tennessee wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. have a 91.5 grade, the only two wideouts from the SEC in the top eight.

Key’s most memorable play was in the second quarter when he hurdled an Ohio defender to get to the Bobcats’ two-yard line on a 36-yard pass from Brock Vandagriff. Afterward, he said the move was a tribute to Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the former Kentucky track star and reigning 400-meter hurdle gold medalist who was inducted into the UK Athletics Hall of Fame over the weekend. The catch came on 4th and seven, a huge conversion for Kentucky’s offense.

“I know when Brock gets out of the pocket, he wants to make a big play,” Dane said. “I saw nobody was deep, so I was like, ‘Okay, let me go deep’. Then, I did, I think we made eye contact, and I saw the ball coming, and I was like, ‘Okay, let me make this grab’.”

Key had more yards (145) on Saturday than he did through Kentucky’s first three games (119). Against Ohio’s pass defense, the Cats were finally able to get the offense off the ground. Vandagriff also had a career day, completing 17-24 passes for 237 yards. He had the tenth-highest grade (85) among Power Four quarterbacks on Pro Football Focus.

Vandagriff had nothing but praise for Dane after his big performance, pointing out a block he made on Barion Brown’s touchdown run.

“Dane, he is an absolute heck of a receiver. I’m really glad he’s wearing blue and white,” Vandagriff said. “Great kid, great dude off the field as well. He’s going to line up, he’s going to do exactly what he’s told to do, coached to do. I don’t know if he had the most reps of the wideouts but just a great game and one of the things that showed up to me was he had a touchdown block on that one to Barion on that sweep so he’s just doing the right stuff. Performing when the ball’s not in your hands and just a true team player. Really glad he’s on the squad.”

The feeling is mutual.

“I know Brock’s going to get up every time if he gets hit,” Key said. “Brock’s a tough player and I just love playing with Brock. He’s a great guy and any time I can get out there and make a play with Brock, I’m willing to do it.”