Kentucky beats Southern Miss 31-0 after multiple severe weather delays
Game was delayed two hours and halted again in the third quarter
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW)- Kentucky Football is 1-0 after a season opening 31-0 win versus Southern Miss which was called in the third quarter due to lightning strikes in the area.
Don’t Rain on our Parade
With nine minutes remaining in the third quarter, a lightning delay stopped the game and both teams were sent into the locker rooms at 11:53 p.m.
Kentucky was leading 31-0 at that time.
Just under an hour later, the game was called and considered complete by mutual agreement.
“By mutual agreement of the participating institutions as permitted by NCAA rules, the game between Kentucky and Southern Mississippi has been terminated and is considered a complete game with a final score of 31-0 in favor of Kentucky. All statistics in the game are considered final and complete,” a UK Athletics statement read.
The game’s original kickoff time of 7:55 p.m. was pushed back multiple times due to lightning strikes as well. Kickoff eventually took place at 10:05 p.m. During a portion of the pregame lightning delays, fans were not allowed inside the stadium. When the gates opened, fans had to wait inside the concourses for awhile before taking their seats.
1-0 in 2024
Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff’s career in blue began with an first quarter interception, but it didn’t take long for the former Georgia backup to produce.
Vandagriff ended the night 12/18 for 168 yards and three touchdowns. Two of those passes to pay dirt were to wide receiver Barion Brown.
UK racked up 317 yards of offense with 18 first downs and a 3/5 third down conversion rate. Defensively, Kentucky intercepted two passes, record two sacks and seven tackles for loss.
Up Next for the Wildcats
Kentucky will be back inside Kroger Field for an SEC opener versus South Carolina on September 7 at 3:30 p.m. The Gamecocks have beat the Wildcats two years in a row and are coming off of a 23-19 win over Old Dominion.
