Click here for box score!
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University’s football team fell to the University of Kentucky, 50-10, in its 2007 season opener on Saturday in Lexington, Ky.
Kentucky opened the game by scoring on five of its seven first half possessions to build a 30-3 halftime lead. Only a missed field goal and the end of the first half halted the Wildcats in the first 30 minutes of play.
UK wasted little time getting on the board. After forcing Eastern Kentucky to punt on the game’s opening possession, Andre’ Woodson connected with Dickey Lyons, Jr., for a 51-yard touchdown pass on the Wildcats’ first play.
The Colonel offense picked up just two first downs and was forced to punt on its first six possessions before string together a drive late in the second quarter.
Back-to-back completions by Allan Holland to start the drive moved the ball 13 yards. Three plays later Holland picked up another first down with a 5-yard run. A holding penalty on Kentucky moved the ball across midfield and gave the Colonels their third first down on the drive.
Holland’s 4-yard completion to Evan Cromer gave the visitors a first and 10 at the UK 31 yard line. On the next play Mark Dunn was stopped behind the line for a 9-yard loss. On third and 19 Holland found Kyle Barber for 12 yards but the Colonels were still seven short of the first down marker.
True freshman Logan O’Connor came on and converted his first career field goal attempt, a 45-yarder.
Kentucky got the ball back with 56 seconds remaining in the first half and moved across midfield. Woodson’s pass to the end zone as time expired was broken up by Antwaun Molden and the teams went to the locker room with the Wildcats in leading 30-3.
EKU’s duo of Josh Greco and Allan Holland were 8-of-15 for 57 yards. Dunn gained 34 yards on five carries in the first half.
The Colonels scored again shortly after the halftime break. EKU was forced to punt on its first possession of the second half but Rafael Little fumbled the ball on the return and Eastern Kentucky recovered it at the UK 22 yard line.
A pass interference penalty on Kentucky, on third down, gave the Colonels a second chance. On the next play Holland connected with Cromer, a true freshman, from four yards out. Taylor Long tacked on the extra point to make it 37-10.
The Wildcats opened the third quarter with touchdowns on their first three possessions to build a 50-10 advantage. Neither team scored after UK’s Alfonso Smith hit paydirt from 12 yards out with 2:57 left in the third quarter.
Holland finished the night 16-of-25 for 72 yards to go along with his touchdown pass. Dunn rushed for 70 yards on 12 carries. Bobby Washington totaled 32 yards on six carries. EKU’s Cody Hamlin and Justin Curry led all players with 10 tackles each. Chris Hall and Cardius Dowell each finished with one sack.
Eastern Kentucky will play its home opener against Western Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 8. Kickoff at Roy Kidd Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m.
NOTES
--Sophomore defensive lineman Chris Hall (Waynesville, N.C.) registered his first career sack when he took down UK’s Andre’ Woodson in the first quarter for an 8-yard loss on third down, forcing a Wildcat field goal.
--Freshman Logan O’Connor’s (Knoxville, Tenn.) 45-yard field goal conversion in the second quarter was six yards longer than any EKU field goal made during the 2006 season. O’Connor also made a 45-yard field goal at Commonwealth Stadium in June during the Kentucky-Tennessee High School All-Star Game.
--Freshman defensive back Jeremy Caldwell (Chattanooga, Tenn.) recovered a fumble by Rafael Little during a UK punt return in the third quarter.
--True freshman Evan Cromer (Tampa, Fla.), making his collegiate debut, caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Allan Holland (Hazard, Ky.) in the third quarter.
--Senior Derrick Huff (Hamilton, Ohio) made his sixth career interception in the fourth quarter.
--Senior Mark Dunn (Harrodsburg, Ky.) rushed for 70 yards against Kentucky and now needs 48 more rushing yards to eclipse the 2,000 yard mark for his career.
