Former Kentucky Wildcats shine in Thursday night games

Last night, it felt like college football was truly back, and two former Kentucky Wildcats turned in some impressive performances. MJ Devonshire, who transferred from Kentucky to Pitt in 2021, was one of the stars of the Panthers’ win over West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl. The junior cornerback got a pick six to put Pitt up 38-31 over the Mountaineers late in the fourth quarter.

It was the first pick-six and second interception of Devonshire’s career. Last year, he had an interception in overtime to give the Panthers the win over North Carolina. Afterward, the Aliquippa, Pa. native opened up on what it was like to make such a crucial play in a rivalry he grew up watching.

“100%. This is why I came back to Pitt, to do things in this type of game. This is the greatest rivalry in college football. My nephew, he’s three, he got to watch me for the first time. It’s amazing.”

“Probably the play of the game was MJ Devonshire, that pick that he had and took it to the house,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. “That guy was running. He was fast. That was one of the nicer ones I’ve seen, and that was a big-time play. He wasn’t going to be denied.”

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Beau Allen throws three touchdowns in Tarleton State debut

Down in Texas, former Kentucky quarterback Beau Allen shined in his debut at Tarleton State. Allen finished 23-39 for 294 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions in the Texans’ 29-13 win over Mississippi Valley State in the FCS. Allen transferred from Kentucky to Tarleton in August and won the starting job during camp. Jaden Smith’s one-handed grab for the first touchdown was so impressive it made Sportscenter‘s Top 10.

Even though we miss them in Lexington, it’s good to see former Cats thriving in their new homes.