Kelley king of Kentucky’s defense

Braxton Kelley says he has seen the play about 100 times. And happily, it always ends the same.

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University of Kentucky

Kentucky linebacker Braxton Kelley of LaGrange takes over the outside linebacker spot on a defense that many believe will keep the Wildcats very competitive in the SEC East this season.

It is Oct. 13, 2007 and the overflow crowd at Kentucky’s Commonwealth Stadium has been screaming all day. The game is into its third overtime and LSU, the nation’s No. 1 team, is trailing 43-37. LSU needs two yards on fourth down or the game is over.

The week before against Florida, LSU converted five pressure-packed fourth-down plays in a 28-24 victory. There was no reason to think the Tigers would not do it again.

But LSU did not account for Braxton Kelley, the junior linebacker from LaGrange. LSU gave the ball to Charles Scott, a speedy running back. Kelley slipped the blocker assigned to him and planted Scott firmly into the turf after a one-yard gain. Suddenly, Kentucky had beaten No. 1 for the first time in 43 years. And Kelley’s play will live forever on YouTube.

“All I remember is a bunch of guys jumping on top of me when it was over,” said Kelley. “People have told me that it was the biggest play in Kentucky football history. That makes me feel pretty good.”

Kentucky recorded a number of “firsts” during an 8-5 season that saw the Wildcats beat LSU and take Florida (45-37) to the wire and Tennessee to four overtimes (52-50) before losing.

This season Kentucky is going for yet another first under coach Rich Brooks. Only once in their history have the Wildcats posted three consecutive seasons with eight or more victories. It happened in 1949-51 with Paul “Bear” Bryant as the coach.

In 2008 Kentucky has a chance to match that feat and do something the Bear never did. Kentucky has been playing football since 1881 but has never won three consecutive bowl games. This team can do that and the Wildcats are counting on people like Kelley to make it happen.

“When I look at guys like Braxton I believe we have the most talent and depth on this team that we’ve had at Kentucky,” said Brooks, set to begin his sixth season at UK. “Yes, we lost a lot of really good players on offense, but I anticipate that we’re going to have another good team.”

No SEC team lost more offensive talent than Kentucky. Gone is quarterback Andre Woodson (3,709 yards passing, 40 TD). Rafael Little was one of the best all-purpose backs in the league. Wide receivers Keenan Burton and Steve Johnson combined with tight end Jacob Tamme to pull down 182 catches last season. This season’s offense can’t be nearly as explosive.

But Kelley is expected to be the leader of what many are calling the best Kentucky defense of the Brooks era. After three years of starting at middle linebacker, Kelley moves to an outside spot to replace another LaGrange native, All-SEC Wesley Woodyard. Kentucky has two other All-SEC locks on defense with end Jeremy Jarmon and cornerback Trevard Lindley (from Hiram).

Woodyard was the emotional and vocal leader of the Kentucky defense in 2007. Kelley will bring a different style to the job in 2008.

“Braxton is one of those guys who leads by example,” said UK linebackers coach Chuck Smith. “Nobody practices harder than Braxton. He is very focused. He sets his goals and goes about achieving them. He is going to be the perfect leader for this defense.”

Kelley said that last season proved that Kentucky can play with any team in the country.

“Last year gave us a lot of confidence. We were not intimidated by any team that we played,” Kelley said. “We lost a lot of talent on offense but the defense goes 2 or 3 deep with really good players. I think we have a chance to be pretty good.”

Kelley is part of a pipeline of players from LaGrange to Kentucky. A year ago there were six players from LaGrange on Kentucky’s roster. This year there are three but more are coming, Kelley said.

“Coach (Joker) Phillips has done a great job of recruiting LaGrange and making guys feel they would be comfortable here,” Kelley said. “There is a real family atmosphere at Kentucky.”

Kentucky opens the season on Aug. 31 at Louisville and plays its first SEC game on Oct. 4 at Alabama. Nobody is giving Kentucky a shot at repeating the magic of 2007. The personnel losses are just too great.

That’s a mistake, Kelley said.

“We think we can beat anybody we play,” Kelley said. “I think we’re going to surprise some people.”

THE BRAXTON KELLEY FILE

• Hometown: LaGrange.

• High school: First team All-State at LaGrange High School in 2003 and 2004. Part of three Class AAA state championship teams. Combined record of 55-2 in his four seasons at LaGrange.

• Personal: Son of William and Veronica Kelly. Major is kinesiology. Serves as mentor at elementary school.

• 2007 highlights: Started 12 of 13 games at middle linebacker. Has 29 starts going into the 2008 season; led the team with 10 tackles against Florida.