In the UK football program’s annual Blue/White scrimmage Saturday night, the starters overcame a 14-point deficit to open the action and defeated the second-stringers 35-28.

The Cats used the scrimmage to show off some new wrinkles in its offense, namely wide receiver Demarco Robinson. UK head coach Joker Phillips raved about Robinson all spring, and fans were finally able to see why. Robinson had 9 catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns, both of which he scored in the first half.

Quarterback Maxwell Smith was impressive under center for UK, completing 29 of 45 passes for 353 yards, the two touchdowns to Robinson and two interceptions. But Smith was displeased with his performance, especially the two interceptions, and was convinced his coaches were just as disappointed.

“I really don’t think I played too well,” Smith said. “I threw two picks and that’s not good. (The coaches will say) I didn’t play well, especially Coach (Randy) Sanders. I’m not looking forward to watching this film.”

Both the first and second team offenses operated a no-huddle offense for a majority of the game, utilizing the shotgun formation and spreading the ball down the field more than in 2011.

Tight ends were also playing a larger role in the offense than they did a season ago. Tight end Tyler Robinson had a breakout game for the first team offense, catching five balls for 75 yards, and fellow tight end Anthony Kendrick caught three passes for 40 yards and a touchdown for the backups.

“I love throwing to tight ends because they are big targets and they can beat linebackers one on one,” Smith said. “They played well for us today.”

Quarterback Jacob Russell, an Eastern Kentucky University transfer, was just eight of 24 passing for 96 yards and a touchdown at the helm of the second-stringers. Russell impressed more with his feet than his arm, scampering for a 54-yard touchdown in the first half.

“You get 10, 15 yards downfield and then as a quarterback you’re thinking ‘get the first down, get out of bounds,’” Russell said of his long touchdown run. “Then as you start to get towards the end zone you’re thinking ‘get this ball in the end zone.’”

Defensively, linebacker Avery Williamson led the starters with eight tackles and a sack. Defensive back Marcus Caffey had three tackles and a forced fumble out of the secondary. Phillips spoke highly of both players and of Martavius Neloms, who he says has become the vocal and emotional leader of the defense.

“Avery (Williamson) was all over the place,” Phillips said. “For a guy who didn’t play a lot (last year) he had a lot of tackles for us.

“Another guy I’m real pleased with is (Martavius) Neloms. Neloms is becoming the leader we need him to be. He’s becoming the guy we can trust off the field. He takes care of his business in the classroom and those things.  Those things matter and (Martavius) is getting it now.”

For the second-string, linebacker Tyler Brause led all defenders with seven tackles, and defensive back Eric Simmons and linebacker Josh Forrest each intercepted Max Smith one time in defeat.

The game concluded UK’s spring practice season for 2012.