Shout out to Austin Dotson. The most KY mfer I’ve ever seen had himself a day. He mauled some fools, made a couple bone headed plays, rolled at least one guy after the whistle, and was pivotal in the game winning run….after setting us back 5 yards. I just love how that dude looks, and he plays just like he looks. Here’s to you mountain man. Great career.
Bringing this post back to the top because it was so good.
No game better exemplified Dotson's UK career better than this one.
He damn near single handily cost Kentucky the game two or three times. He also made key blocks on key plays that I am not sure any other player on the team was capable of making including that TD run by C-Rod to win it where he pulled and made a key block five yards down field ahead of the RB (as pointed out, right after a numbskull penalty). Most of Kentucky's biggest run plays Dotson had a major hand in, he also was basically solely responsible for about three or four sacks or TFL's because he got his butt whipped. He was on the verge of a 15 yard penalty several times, but you can't even be mad because most of those was because he was blocking guy ten yards down the field Blindside style setting a tone.
He was a 2* recruit who played more snaps than several of our 4* prospects, but in the end he probably was a truly 2* talent who graded out like a 2* talent but never backed down against some of the best D-linemen in the country over his career. He played different positions, gave key snaps when injuries occurred over his career, and straight up mauled some folks along the way.
When he did start, there were times it looked like he may be the reason UK would lose, but my guess is UK's winning percentage with him as a Starter was better than when he didn't start in some perverse twist.
I don't think UK can ever compete with the elites of the SEC with guys like Austin Dotson starting or playing the lion's share of minutes, but by God did we end up needing him to get across the finish line the past two seasons!
