WATCH: Dane Key rehashes 'the catch' against Florida

The hype around Dane Key coming into his freshman year was palpable. Thanks in part due to Ryan Lemond, the chatter around Key picked up during the summer with rumors that he might earn a starting role in his first year on the field.

Not only did he start, but Key also excelled. In his very first game against Miami (OH), Key caught three passes for 53 yards and a touchdown. However, the real breakthrough moment came the following week against Florida on the road.

The 6-foot-3-inch pass-catcher hauled in a 55-yard bomb from Will Levis in the 2nd quarter for a touchdown and catapulted the Wildcats to an eventual 26-16 victory in the Swamp. We have all seen the highlight 100 times, but did you know Key wasn’t even expecting to get the ball on that play? In his mind, his job was to run as fast as he could and simply distract the cornerback and safety.

Key explained his mindset leading up to that play and what was going through his head when he looked up and surprisingly saw the ball sailing his way.

“Let me just do my job. I’m just going to take this corner and safety out of the play…I’m not even getting the ball right here. I’m just about to run as fast as I can and I’m gonna see my GPS time because I was always messing with Barion [Brown] about how I was gonna beat him this time and my GPS was going to be faster than his.

I’m running, running, not thinking I’m going to get the ball. I look up and I see the ball is coming…and then I just went up and made a play.”

Dan Key | UK Athletics

Make a play, he did. That catch served as one of the highlights of the year and solidified Dane Key as a receiver to be reckoned with for the Wildcats.

It is also great to hear him talk about his competition with Barion Brown about who has the better GPS. No, they aren’t comparing their Google Maps arrival times. GPS is a collection of statistical measurements that details a player’s speed, intensity, distance, and other measurements on the field.

Listen to Key’s complete recap of the play from his perspective:

"I just went up and made the play and the ball was in my hands." @DaneKey6 pic.twitter.com/HALNtg3ADz

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) July 22, 2023