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After beating one All-Pro corner, Patriots WR is ready for another in AFC Championship
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- After beating one All-Pro corner, Patriots WR is ready for another in AFC Championship
FOXBOROUGH – Kayshon Boutte went into the Patriots divisional round matchup with confidence.
That stemmed from his experience going up against Houston Texans All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. in practice at LSU and in last season’s matchup. That confidence showed last weekend when Boutte caught three passes for 75 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown with Stingley in coverage.
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Boutte said the prior experience helped.
“When I got (to LSU) in 2020, they were coming off a National Championship season and (Stingley) was the best cornerback in college football,” Boutte said. “And we had Eli Ricks , too. Just working every day with those guys, it’s only going to make you better. You only want to play against the best competition.”
Boutte hopes the experience with Denver Broncos All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II brings about similar results in this weekend’s AFC Championship game .
The 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Surtain, enters this matchup as the best player on a talented Denver defense. He’s made the last four Pro Bowl teams and is a three-time All-Pro selection. Surtain has faced the Patriots once, in 2023, but Boutte only played five offensive snaps that game during his rookie season.
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Boutte’s experience with Surtain goes back to his college days.
In 2020, as a true freshman, Boutte had his first 100-yard game against Alabama. He caught eight passes for 111 yards against a secondary that featured future NFL cornerbacks Surtain and Josh Jobe .
“A lot of respect,” Boutte said when asked about Surtain. “Played against him in college, too, my first year there. I would say it’s a familiar matchup. I’m kind of used to him, great corner.”
Last weekend, Boutte got the best of his college teammate. The touchdown was his second against Stingley. The score was very similar to a play Boutte had on the cornerback last season when the Patriots lost to the Texans.
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Boutte said the familiarity helped him in that case.
The Patriots hope it’s similar this weekend in their AFC Championship matchup.
“Overall, the Denver defense is great,” Boutte said. “I’m looking forward to it.
“... You always want to play against the best. It’s only going to make you better.”
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