Maxwell Hairston now shares the UK record for interceptions returned for touchdowns with Dallas Owens. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky junior cornerback Maxwell Hairston has a good problem.
“I need to think of some touchdown celebrations, man,” he said after Saturday’s win over Ohio. “I need to get better in that aspect, but it happened so fast. I’m just trying to find my fam.”
He had a 25-yard interception return for a score in the win. Last year in UK’s fourth game he had two interception returns for touchdowns against Vanderbilt that led to national defensive player of the week honors.
“You know, it’s crazy, I did think about that while I was taking a shower,” Hairston said about last year’s Vanderbilt game. “I was like, ‘Hey, last year, Week 4, I got my first pick six — well, two of them.’ It’s Week 4 now. Man, that’s God.”
Hairston had an easy path to the end zone after making the interception.
“I really tried to bait the quarterback, and he took it. So when I seen that ball — or really, I (saw) his eyes … I knew it was all me,” he said.
Hairston now shares the UK record for most career interceptions scoring returns with Dallas Owens (1974-77) with three. He also now has six career interceptions. Hairston has five tackles, one forced fumble and one sack to go with his interception return. He has allowed only 50 percent of the balls thrown to players he was covering to be caught according to Pro Football Focus.
“I feel like this defense is so close and tight that it gives us confidence. It makes you go out there and play faster because I know that my brothers to the left and to the right are going to do their job,” Hairston said. “They’re going to play hard and aggressive, and I trust them and they trust me, so the belief system that we have with one another is just amazing.
“Last week (against Georgia) opened our eyes because we knew we came up short, but it showed that we can go at anybody. Going up against the No. 1 team in the country and giving them a fight makes us feel better and makes us know that hard work does pay off. Like I said, we came up short, but that was a step in the right direction.”
Kentucky gets another chance to knock off a highly ranked team Saturday when it plays at Ole Miss, which has won three straight close games against UK.
“We’re accepting the challenge. Ole Miss has a very explosive offense but we are going to come ready, watch the film, and do what we have to do. But we are accepting that challenge. Can’t wait for it,” Hairston said.
One Response
He has the right mindset. He doesn’t feel like he’s made it yet. He’s still working on getting better and he’s one of the best corners in the SEC. It just sucks he doesn’t have alot of help. The secondary does look better than last year that’s not saying much but it is improvement. We will see what this defense and this secondary are really made of Saturday. Jaxson Dart is a outstanding quarterback so they better be ready. Lane Kiffin will definitely have ole miss ready on Saturday. We can beat Ole Miss. One thing we can’t do is play sloppy. If we play sloppy we will get killed. If we play like we did against Georgia it will be a close game and come down to the wire.