The Gators will keep a close eye on Kentucky receiver Wan'Dale Robinson on Saturday in Lexington. (Photo: Michael Clevinger/Courier Journal via Imagn Content Services)
The Opening Kickoff (Part II): Gators Are Aware of Robinson's Impact
Tuesday, September 28, 2021 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — If what transpired at the end of Gators head coach Dan Mullen's Monday press conference is now considered bulletin-board material in the Southeastern Conference, goodness, the conference's standards have dipped considerably.
But in the social-media age, anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of Twitter (and fan message boards).
For those who have a life or perhaps just missed it, the 22nd and final question for Mullen on Monday centered on Kentucky receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, a transfer from Nebraska. When a reporter asked Mullen about Robinson by name, Mullen hesitated and responded: "Which one? What number?"
Mullen is more familiar with opponent's numbers than names, a common trait among his tribe. I remember in my time covering Florida State under Bobby Bowden there were times when Bowden sometimes referred to his own players by number rather than stumble over a name.
What made the exchange funnier is that the reporter who asked about Robinson, Gators beat writer Thomas Goldkamp of 247Sports, wasn't sure of Robinson's number when Mullen asked. That's a common trait among Goldkamp's tribe, including the guy typing these words and, admittedly, would have needed to look up Robinson's number as well.
For the record, Robinson is No. 1.
Now that we have his name and number squared away, Robinson has Florida's attention when the No. 11-ranked Gators head to Lexington to face the undefeated Wildcats on Saturday night at Kroger Field.
"That's who I'm talking about,'' Mullen said in regard to Kentucky's playmakers. "The guys that come in, you know, within the play-action part of the game that come in and can create the explosive plays down the field. When you go play them with their backs and their line and their physicality, you do focus on the run game.
"We've got to stop the run, and that creates the matchups for the play-action shots down the field, and he's done a great job of making explosive plays down the field."
In his first four games with Kentucky, Robinson has three 100-yard receiving games. He joined the Wildcats in the spring and immediately caught the attention of his teammates and coaches.
"I knew he was a good player coming out of high school and you can watch the film from Nebraska and know he was a very good player," Kentucky coach Mark Stoops told reporters Monday. "I don't want to use the word 'surprised.' I am extremely pleased with him and love his attitude. I love his competitive nature. He is very unselfish. He works very hard. He is all about the team and I love that part of it and yes, by the way, he is very talented."
No. 1 on Kentucky's roster — Wan'Dale Robinson if you are better with names — will provide a good test for the Florida defense on Saturday night.
A look at the SEC's leading receivers according to yards:
But in the social-media age, anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of Twitter (and fan message boards).
@CoachWoody7 @ASeaOfBlue @marcum89 @PatrickLoney @bigblueinsider1 @BBNWonka @BBNToday @SSN_Kentucky @CatsCoverage_ @TheCatsPause247 @ThingsBBNLikes @UKFootball @BarstoolUK
— Josh Berrian (@_joshonair) September 28, 2021
For those who have a life or perhaps just missed it, the 22nd and final question for Mullen on Monday centered on Kentucky receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, a transfer from Nebraska. When a reporter asked Mullen about Robinson by name, Mullen hesitated and responded: "Which one? What number?"
Mullen is more familiar with opponent's numbers than names, a common trait among his tribe. I remember in my time covering Florida State under Bobby Bowden there were times when Bowden sometimes referred to his own players by number rather than stumble over a name.
What made the exchange funnier is that the reporter who asked about Robinson, Gators beat writer Thomas Goldkamp of 247Sports, wasn't sure of Robinson's number when Mullen asked. That's a common trait among Goldkamp's tribe, including the guy typing these words and, admittedly, would have needed to look up Robinson's number as well.
For the record, Robinson is No. 1.
Now that we have his name and number squared away, Robinson has Florida's attention when the No. 11-ranked Gators head to Lexington to face the undefeated Wildcats on Saturday night at Kroger Field.
"That's who I'm talking about,'' Mullen said in regard to Kentucky's playmakers. "The guys that come in, you know, within the play-action part of the game that come in and can create the explosive plays down the field. When you go play them with their backs and their line and their physicality, you do focus on the run game.
"We've got to stop the run, and that creates the matchups for the play-action shots down the field, and he's done a great job of making explosive plays down the field."
In his first four games with Kentucky, Robinson has three 100-yard receiving games. He joined the Wildcats in the spring and immediately caught the attention of his teammates and coaches.
"I knew he was a good player coming out of high school and you can watch the film from Nebraska and know he was a very good player," Kentucky coach Mark Stoops told reporters Monday. "I don't want to use the word 'surprised.' I am extremely pleased with him and love his attitude. I love his competitive nature. He is very unselfish. He works very hard. He is all about the team and I love that part of it and yes, by the way, he is very talented."
No. 1 on Kentucky's roster — Wan'Dale Robinson if you are better with names — will provide a good test for the Florida defense on Saturday night.
A look at the SEC's leading receivers according to yards:
|
RECEIVER |
SCHOOL |
CATCHES |
YARDS |
|
Wan'Dale Robinson |
Kentucky |
25 |
402 |
|
Treylon Burks |
Arkansas |
19 |
373 |
|
Dontario Drummond |
Ole Miss |
20 |
339 |
|
Kayshon Boutte |
LSU |
24 |
309 |
|
Makai Polk |
Miss St |
33 |
304 |
|
Jameson Williams |
Alabama |
12 |
299 |
|
Josh Vann |
South Carolina |
13 |
298 |
|
Jonathan Mingo |
Ole Miss |
15 |
290 |
|
Brock Bowers |
Georgia |
18 |
272 |
|
John Metchie |
Alabama |
24 |
240 |
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