LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky defensive back Maxwell Hairston claimed another award this week, hauling in the Jim Thorpe National Defensive Back of the Week recognition, it was announced by the National College Football Awards Association on Tuesday.
The honor comes after being named the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week and the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
Hairston tied the league record by returning two interceptions for touchdowns to help Kentucky defeat Vanderbilt, 45-28, in Nashville last Saturday. He is the first UK player ever to have two pick-sixes in one game.
On Vanderbilt’s second possession he broke on, and picked off, a floating pass near the sideline and easily raced 29 yards untouched for the touchdown to give UK a 14-0 lead. In the fourth quarter, he snatched a pass near the same sideline and weaved his way 54 yards to the end zone, sealing UK’s triumph.
For the game, Hairston had four tackles, three pass breakups and the two interceptions for 83 return yards. Two of the breakups came on series of downs that ended in punts. He also helped keep short completions from turning into long plays, as all four of his tackles came on plays of 11 yards or less.
Add linebacker D’Eryk Jackson’s interception and UK caused three turnovers on the day in defeating Vanderbilt for the seventh time in the past nine meetings. On the season, Hairston has 23 tackles, one tackle for loss, three interceptions, three pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Kentucky returns to Kroger Field Saturday when it plays host to Florida at noon on ESPN. The game is sold out. UK Athletics urges fans to use caution against counterfeit and invalid tickets. Only tickets purchased directly through the following outlets are guaranteed to be valid:
- The UK Ticket Office
- Ticketmaster, including the UK Athletics official resale marketplace
- FEVO
- Visiting team ticket office
UK Athletics cautions against purchasing tickets through other outlets that may be unable to provide this assurance. That risk is magnified for sold-out games like Saturday’s.