Kentucky football opens the 2024 season with a weather-shortened shutout of Southern Miss

Kentucky football had to wait 2 hours and 20 minutes longer than anticipated to start its season due to a lightning delay, but Mark Stoops’ team wasted little time after the delay to assert its dominance in the a weather-shortened 31-0 win against Southern. young lady

A promising opening drive by the Wildcat offense ended when quarterback Brock Vandagriff had a pass overturned and intercepted at the Southern Miss 15-yard line, but Kentucky regained possession just two plays later with an interception by linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson. This time, Kentucky ended the drive with Vandagriff finding Barion Brown for a 12-yard touchdown pass and a 7-0 lead.

At half-time, Great Britain led 24-0. Kentucky continued its dominance by forcing a punt on Southern Miss’ first drive of the second half, then scored on a seven-play, 84-yard drive before the game was suspended again by lightning 8 miles from stadium.

The players returned to their locker rooms at 11:52 p.m., with 9:56 remaining in the third quarter. The last time UK was shut out early by the weather was a 49-7 loss at Arkansas in 2012.

THE COURT POINT

Southern Miss looked like it could make things interesting on its second drive, converting three third downs, including a third-and-18, but the Wildcat defense came back with its second interception of the day. It came from cornerback JQ Hardaway in the end zone after linebacker D’Eryk Jackson tipped a pass in the air. After that 14-play, 75-yard drive, Southern Miss totaled just 10 yards on its four remaining first-half drives.

THE PLAYER OF THE GAME

Making his first start in his fourth college season, Vandagriff looked the part of the former five-star recruit, completing 12 of 18 passes for 169 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He also gained 35 rushing yards on five carries. Vandagriff showed impressive awareness, eluding pressure to keep multiple plays alive for long wins. He hit North Texas transfer Ja’Mori Maclin for a 46-yard gain on a deep pass over the middle that set up the final touchdown.

KEY STATISTICS

The Wildcats outgained Southern Miss 148 yards to 5. Starting running back Demie Sumo-Karngbaye had 59 yards and a touchdown on eight carries, but offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan made a point to diversify the rushing attack, with seven different players recording at least one serve. including three wide receivers.