by Jeff Clark, Staff Writer
LEXINGTON (GG) — South Alabama scored all 21 of its points in the second quarter and twice held the lead Saturday, but Kentucky used a late first-half surge and a dominant ground game to pull away for a 45-21 victory at Kroger Field Saturday, September 26. The loss dropped South Alabama to 2-2, while Kentucky improved to 3-1.
The Jaguars took advantage of a Kentucky mistake early in the second quarter when Kam Robinson recovered a muffed punt at the Wildcats’ 22-yard line. PJ Martin finished the short drive with a 7-yard touchdown run to put South Alabama on the board.
Quarterback Jared Hollins then gave the Jaguars their first lead, finding Anthony Eager for a 36-yard touchdown pass that made it 14-7. Later in the quarter, Hollins connected with Jeremiah Jones-Thomas for a 19-yard touchdown, putting South Alabama ahead 21-14 with 1:22 remaining in the half.
Kentucky responded immediately. Jason Patterson broke loose for a 75-yard touchdown run on the Wildcats’ next play from scrimmage to tie the game. Kentucky then intercepted a South Alabama pass and converted the turnover into a 34-yard field goal with 16 seconds left, taking a 24-21 lead into halftime.
The Wildcats controlled the second half, scoring three unanswered touchdowns and keeping South Alabama off the scoreboard.
Kentucky did most of its damage on the ground, finishing with three 100-yard rushers. C.J. Baxter ran for 149 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, Patterson had 137 yards and three touchdowns on 12 attempts, and Jovante Barnes added 100 yards and a score on eight carries. It marked the first time in Kentucky history that three running backs each rushed for at least 100 yards in the same game.
South Alabama still found success through the air. Hollins completed a career-high 23 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns. Jones-Thomas caught six passes for a career-best 91 yards and scored his first career receiving touchdown, while Eager had four receptions for 67 yards and a score.
Martin led the Jaguars on the ground with 48 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. South Alabama finished with 354 yards of total offense, including 266 passing.
The Jaguars also forced two Kentucky turnovers. Robinson recovered the muffed punt that set up South Alabama’s first touchdown, while Christian Ross recovered a fumble in the third quarter. Defensively, Cole Blaylock recorded a career-high 11 tackles, and Dallas Young added 10, marking the first time this season two South Alabama players reached double figures in tackles in the same game.
South Alabama coach Major Applewhite said he liked the way his team competed but pointed to missed opportunities, particularly on third down and in the second half.
“We didn’t come to Lexington to play close,” Applewhite said. “We wanted to win the ball game.”
Applewhite added that facing a strong opponent exposed areas the Jaguars will need to correct as they move into conference play.
South Alabama returns home Saturday, Oct. 3, to host ULM at 6 p.m. for homecoming and the Jaguars’ Sun Belt Conference opener.
(Photos by Aimee Cronan/The Gazebo Gazette via Associated Press)
