Kentucky will face former kicker Grant McKinnis Saturday

Remember Grant McKinnis? The former Kentucky punter/kicker transferred to Missouri over the summer after completing his undergraduate degree and is doing pretty well for himself. Through three games, he’s averaging 44.0 yards on eight punts, with a 66-yarder in the Tigers’ win over defending national champs LSU on October 10. That average ranks No. 25 nationally. (If you’re curious, Max Duffy’s average of 47.8 yards is No. 4)

McKinnis even got to try his hand at a fake punt vs. LSU, although his pass to Jalen Knox fell incomplete.

Regardless, it’s good to see McKinnis doing well. He was a Ray Guy Award nominee his freshman season, averaging 39.2 yards per punt, but once Duffy came to town, shifted to kickoff duties. Let’s hope he takes the field early and often on Saturday.

Another familiar face on Missouri’s sideline: wide receiver Damon Hazelton. He transferred to Mizzou from Virginia Tech and has nine catches for 100 yards so far this season. He had to sit out the LSU game due to COVID-19 tracing protocols but is back this week. You may remember him from this touchdown over Brandin Echols in the Belk Bowl:

Wouldn’t it be nice if Echols returned the favor with a pick on Saturday?