Dorian Baker was suspended vs. Tennessee; will play vs. MTSU

The trend of dropped passes continued in the Kentucky Wildcats’ loss to the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday.

However, wide receiver Dorian Baker was not to blame. In fact, Baker didn’t make the trip (let alone dress or see the field) with his team to Knoxville.

Kentucky football head coach Mark Stoops said in his press conference on Monday that Baker’s absence was due to a suspension.

“He (Baker) was suspended for that game,” Stoops said. “He’ll be back this week.”

While reasoning was not clarified, this comes as Baker’s second suspension during his time at Kentucky. The first came back in 2014 when Baker was a freshman. He, Boom Williams, Drew Baker and Tyrone Dubose were suspended due to an incident involving an “airsoft gun.”

Baker’s senior season has been more of a let-down that any could have expected, catching just 11 balls for 112 yards without a touchdown through seven games. He’s had a major problem with drops this year and has slowly lost snaps to younger receivers as the season has gone on, including Zy’Aire Hughes.

Stoops went on to say that Baker would make his return in time for Saturday’s game against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, which will serve as Kentucky’s senior day. It’s been a rocky road for Baker as Kentucky, but he has a chance to go out on a high note with two more regular-season games left in addition to a bowl.

Kickoff for Saturday is set for 12 P.M. EDT at Kroger Field.