Expectations were running high for Mark Stoops’ 12th Kentucky squad as they kicked off the 2024 season. The Big Blue Nation was hoping to not have lightning strike twice as a replay of the 2016 opener. That’s when the Golden Eagles rallied from a 28-7 halftime deficit to win 44-35. However, it wasn’t lightning striking twice it was happening over and over again. The result was a nearly two-hour delay and a game that ended early. Let’s break it down as Kentucky blanks Southern Mississippi 31-0.
Waiting And Hoping
All week the forecast for Lexington was a chance of storms on Saturday night. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened. Fans were not allowed into the stadium until late causing confusion and delay. Once fans were in there weren’t a whole lot of updates as to what was happening. Each time it looked like the game would start you’d get more lightning and a 30-minute wait. At least it gave the fans and folks at the stadium a chance to check out the new light show and ribbon boards.
New light show and with guest lightning strike pic.twitter.com/hfop5jUxRx
— Brian Stahl (@stahlingphotog) September 1, 2024
Worth The Wait
Finally, at 10:05 pm the BBN’s patience was rewarded and the game got underway. As we talked about earlier this week, the big thing was the debut of quarterback Brock Vandagriff. After a shaky start, he showed why he was a five-star recruit coming out of high school.
The Cats first drive ended when a tipped pass was picked off by Dylan Lawrence. However, on the ensuing drive, he hit Barion Brown on a 12-yard strike and it was 7-0. An Alex Raynor 41-yard field goal put UK up by 10 followed by a one-yard run from Demie Sumo-Karnbaye and it was quickly 17-0. Another 12-yard pass to Brown just before the intermission put the Cats up 24-0.
With 9:56 left in the third period, Vandagriff found tight end Jordan Dingle on a five-yard touchdown to make it 31-0. Shortly thereafter lightning was detected again and this time the decision was made to end the game.
📢 | Statement regarding @UKFootball – Southern Miss Football game:#SECFB pic.twitter.com/ezOovKRUGU
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) September 1, 2024
That was your short but sweet wrap-up as Kentucky blanks Southern Mississippi 31-0.
Looking Ahead
With the win, the Stoops go to 9-3 in season openers. The last loss came to Auburn in 2020. They’ve got a big one coming up next Saturday when they host South Carolina at 3:30 pm on ABC. The SEC Nation crew already announced they’ll be in Lexington. UK needs this one as they dropped two in a row to Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks after winning seven of the last eight. USC squeaked past Old Dominion 23-19.
As for the Golden Eagles, they fall to 0-1 on the young season. They will host Southeastern Louisiana from the Southland Conference in their home opener next Saturday.
Final Thoughts
Overall Vandagriff looked good throwing for 169 yards and three touchdowns. In addition, he hit five different receivers and ran for another 35 yards. Demi led the rushing attack with 58 yards and a touchdown. Ja’Mori Maclin paced all receivers with 66 yards while Dane Key added 60.
Another huge plus on Saturday night was the pace of play, something new offensive coordinator Bush Hamdam stressed in the off-season. The Cats ran 42 plays in a little over two quarters. A season ago they ranked at the bottom in college football averaging 54.9 plays per game.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Cats looked as good as advertised. Holding the Golden Eagles to only five yards rushing and 131 yards overall. Kentucky had seven tackles for a loss of 22 yards and two interceptions. JQ Hardaway and Jamon Dumas-Johnson both had picks for Brad White’s defense. Overall they held quarterback Tate Rodemaker to 126 yards and the two interceptions. As a result, it was the second shutout in Stoops’ tenure in Lexington. The other came in a 31-0 win over Youngstown State in 2022.
Again Kentucky blanks Southern Mississippi 31-0 in a game that ended early in the third quarter due to lightning. Thanks for checking out our recap here at Last Word On College Football. Coming soon we’ll have updated bowl projections and a preview of the South Carolina game.
