xt7kkw57dx2g https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7kkw57dx2g/data/mets.xml Wildcat News Company 1986 Volume 11 -- Number 6 athletic publications  English Wildcat News Company Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. The Cats' Pause UKAW University of Kentucky Men's Basketball (1986-1987) coaches Sutton, Eddie players Lock, Rob Walker, Kenny (Sky) Harden, Roger Ireland, Mary Lloyd Lange, Ken University of Kentucky Football (1986) Claiborne, Jerry statistics schedules Cats' Pause Combs, Oscar The Cats' Pause,  "October 18, 1986" text The Cats' Pause,  "October 18, 1986" 1986 2012 true xt7kkw57dx2g section xt7kkw57dx2g Rob Lock
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SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS PER COPY University of KefitUC
Lexington, Kentucky
The Cats' Pause
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Cedric Jenkins
VOLUME 11 - NUMBER 6
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1986
LEXINGTON, KENTU
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OSCAR L. COMBS
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Tigers 2-0 In SEC Play
LSU-UK Tangle At Commonwealth
LSU (3-1-0) at Kentucky (3-1-1). The Competitors: The Tigers registered their second consecutive conference victory in their last outing, defeating Georgia 23-14 last Saturday at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. The Tigers opened the season in impressive fashion, whipping Southwest Conference favorite Texas A&M in Baton Rouge, before being shocked by the visiting Redskins of Miami (Ohio). LSU also upended the Florida Gators in Gainesville.
The Wildcats opened their Southeastern Conference schedule with their first loss of the campaign, a 33-13 setback at the hands of Mississippi last Saturday in Jackson. Kentucky had won three straight games after opening the season with a tie to Rutgers.
The Coaches: LSU coach Bill Arn-sparger is in his third year with the Tigers, during which time he has compiled a 20-62 ledger. Arnsparger served as head coach of the NFL's New York Giants from 1974-76, and was a long-time aide to Don Shula with the Baltimore Colts and Miami Dolphins. A native of Paris, Ky., and former offensive lineman for Paris High School, Arnsparger graduated from Miami of Ohio in 1950. He also served as an assistant coach at Kentucky under the late Blanton Collier from 1954-61. Arnsparger also played for Collier at Paris High School.
Kentucky's Jerry Claiborne is in his fifth season as the head man at his Alma Mater. Claiborne, a 1950 graduate, has a record of 23-25-3 since returning to Lexington. He has guided the Wildcats to appearances in the 1983 and '84 Hall of Fame Bowls. Claiborne is in his 25th season as a head coach, having guided successful programs at Virginia Tech and Maryland. His overall coaching mark is 160-101-8, making him fourth on the active list of coaches in number of victories.
The History: LSU leads the series, which began in 1949 by a count of 26-9-1. Kentucky last defeated the Tigers in 1983, claiming a 21-13 win in Baton Rouge, giving Wildcat head coach Jerry Claiborne his first win against SEC opposition at Kentucky. Kentucky has not defeated the Tigers in Lexington since 1976, when Fran Curci's Wildcats stopped the Tigers, 21-7.
The Ransdell Report: Bill Ransdell, Kentucky's senior quarterback from Elizabethtown, passed for 131 yards and pick-
ed up 140 yards total offense at Ole Miss to take over as the school's career leader in passing yards and total offense. Ransdell threw for 131 yards against the Rebels, giving him a career total of 4,623, bettering Rick Norton's mark of 4,514. Ransdell's 140 total yards against the Rebels gives him 4,473 for his career, bettering the standard of 4,446 held by Babe Parilli.
77if 'Cats: ^'Kentucky's junior tailback Mark Higgs is the younger brother of former LSU basketball star Kenny Higgs, who played for the Tigers during the 1970s.
*By failing to produce a score in its first possession against Mississippi, Kentucky became the first team this season to fail to score on the Rebels in their first possession. The Wildcats also became the first team to score on the Rebels in the fourth quarter.
*Senior linebacker Don Yarano out of Zanesville, Ohio, was credited with 12 solo tackles in the Mississippi game. The figure represents a team-high for the Wildcats this season, eclipsing the previous mark set by Larry Smith in the season-opener against Rutgers.
?Honorary captains for Saturday's game with Louisiana State are senior Cornell Bur-bagc and senior Don Yarano. Permanent captains for the Wildcats are Bill Ransdell and Tom Wilkins.
*Senior linebacker Larry Smith, who last season led the SEC in total tackles, continues his torrid pace to repeat as UK's leading stopper. Smith racked up 13 total stops against Mississippi, bringing his season total to 64 after only five games. Smith was in on 152 stops last season.
STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP
Statement of ownership, management, etc., of The Cats' Pause, a sports newspaper published weekly except monthly in the summer with thirty-five issues per year. The name of the editor and publisher is Oscar L. Combs, of 1056 Turkey Foot Road, Lexington, Kentucky, 40502. The Cats' Pause is owned by Oscar L. Combs, 1056 Turkey Foot Road, Lexington, Kentucky, 40502. There are no bondholders, mortgages or other security holders. The average number of copies of each issue during the preceding 12 months is: Total number of copies printed, 18,494; paid circulation sales through dealers, 2,890; mail subscriptions, 14,379; total paid circulation, 17,269; free distribution (including samples), 475; total distribution, 17,744; office use, left overs, spoiled after printing, 120; copies distributed to news agencies but not sold, 630; total, 17,269. I certify that the above statements made by me are correct and complete. (Signed Oscar L. Combs, publisher, October 10, 1986).
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it iiii ii, October-/<9, /p&6
Future Is Now For The 'Cats
It was only the first loss of the season, but to many of those who have followed the Kentucky Wildcats this fall it was almost like the end of the season.
Ole Miss had just blasted the Wildcats 33-13, a score which indicated just how much the Rebels had dominated the Big Blue.
Although Kentucky's record still stood at a highly respectable 3-1-1, there wasn't a lot of joy back in Lexington. After all, Ole Miss was to be the tune-up game for a slate of SEC opposition which includes the likes of LSU, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee.
Reasoning had it that if Kentucky cannot beat Ole Miss, then how can the 'Cats line up the rest of the season?
Point is well taken.
Quite frankly, the Ole Miss game was a mighty big one. Perhaps it wasn't a must-win game, but the 'Cats certainly had to be more competitive than they were.
Can the 'Cats rebound?
Who knows.
Perhaps. Maybe.
One thing is for sure. A team can usually survive one disaster a year. And a club can even withstand a second close call if. . .if the team can make up for it with an upset or two in the opposite direction.
What all this means is that Kentucky can no longer follow that patterned road to a post season bowl. In other words, UK just cannot win the games they're suppose to and keep from getting crushed in the games they're expected to lose.
Without question, Kentucky must win at least seven contests to have a shot at post season action. Perhaps we shouldn't even be talking about bowls at a time like this, but that's the whole reason you play college football, isn't it?
Going into the season most experts reasons that Kentucky could be a legitimate bowl contender by beating up on the likes of Rutgers, Kent State, Cincinnati, Southern Miss, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech and playing respectable in losses to the other four SEC opponents.
All that is history, thanks to a tie with Rutgers and a stunning 20-point loss to Ole Miss.
But don't give up the ship just yet.
Certainly the odds are against Kentucky playing in any bowl after this fall, but the way the league has progressed thus far anything can happen.
Preseason predictions had LSU, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee marked down as lopsided losses for the Cats. It may well turn out that way, but the four schools combined record at this writing is a somewhat dismal 9-11. LSU is best at 3-1 while Georgia is 3-2. Tennessee is only 2-3 and Florida has only two wins in six tries.
Thus we have Kentucky backed into the darkest of corners this Saturday night under the lights at Commonwealth Stadim. The 'Cats will take on their toughest SEC rival in a game which is totally a must if the 'Cats have any hopes to reversing last week's script.
There was a time when a 6-4-1 record or 7-4 would insure a Kentucky team of a post season bowl. No more, my lady; Yes,
wins will get the 'Cats a bowl this season. Make no doubt about that. But for the 'Cats to achieve seven wins means UK will have to win four of its remaining six games. A monumental task to say the least. If Kentucky can go 4-2 the rest of the way, the 'Cats will deserve a lot more than a bowl of wheaties.
If you want to subscribe to the eternal optimist's journal you can look at the latest SEC standings and heave a sigh of relief inasmuch as three of UK's five remaining SEC opponents are eighth, ninth and tenth respectively. Only problem with that stat is the fact that Ole Miss was tied with No. 8 before beating Kentucky in Jackson.
Until Saturday, Kentucky played like a team of destiny. It always did what it had to do to avoid defeat. In Jackson, there was no ducking. The finger-in-the-dyke just didn't hold up.
It will be a do-or-die Saturday night at Commonwealth Stadium. A win will put the 'Cats back in a position to decide their own fete. A loss will provide a fate we'd rather not
face.
Kentucky in a big, big upset.
Much has been made of Bill Ransdell's less than star-studded performance during the first five games of the 1986 season. No one was more aware of his play Saturday than Bill himself.
As he toweled off in front of locker No. 9 after the UK-Ole Miss game, Ransdell faced the press, answered the questions and pointed the finger toward himself each time a reporter asked what went wrong.
It took a man of courage to point the finger to himself time after time. And sure, there were times when Ransdell shouldered the blame. But not all the time.
His passing hasn't been as crisp and as accurate as in past seasons. Sometimes he appears confused on the field, especially between plays when plays are being sent to the huddle.
But Bill Ransdell isn't the problem when Marc Logan or Mark Higgs get tackled three yards deep in the backfield. He isn't the reason a third and long pass play is completed against the defense when someone stumbles or gets burned.
Saturday's loss was a team effort from the opening kick-off til the final horn and even Jerry Claiborne said he and his staff had to shoulder the blame because they had not prepared the team.
For Ransdell, the hawks are beginning to circle in the stands. Despite the fact that Billy will own practically all the Wildcat passing marks when he leaves this fall, fans sometime forget very quickly.
Remember Randy Jenkins. He was the quarterback everyone loved to criticize. He was also the quarterback Bill Ransdell replaced.
Because the two were friends, Bill can probably handle the pressure better than Jenkins did.
Claiborne went a long, long way with Ransdell Saturday in Jackson although Billy
went over three quarters without putting a score on the boards.
After the game, Claiborne told reporters he kept Ransdell in the game during the third period because UK was facing a stiff wind and he wanted to go with his strongest armRansdell.
The first UK series of the fourth quarter brought in Kevin Dooley who lasted for only three plays and then was replaced by Ransdell on the next drive which resulted in the 'Cats' only touchdown.
Ransdell most likely will be in the starting role against LSU, but the hook could be quick if the 'Cats don't move the ball early. Not only is UK facing the crossroads of a season, Bill Ransdell is facing the do-or-die date of his career.
Odds may be against the Elizabethtown senior, but don't bet the children's lunch money against him. Ransdell has the ability and dedication to burn any defense and the same goes for the oddsmakers.
Most all the major college basketball annual magazines have now been released and it appears that Eddie Sutton's Wildcats are headed toward a top ten finish if the so-called experts are correct.
Here's a sampling of some annuals:
GamePlan: 1. Oklahoma, 2. UNLV, 3. North Carolina, 4. Purdue, 5. Kentucky, 6. Louisville, 7. Georgia Tech, 8. Iowa, 9. Arizona, 10. Villanova, 11. Florida, 12. Auburn, 13. Kansas, 14. Indiana, 15. Tulsa, 16. Duke, 17. Navy, 18. Georgetown, 19. California and 20. Western Kentucky.
The Sporting News: 1. Indiana, 2. North Carolina, 3. Louisville, 4. Oklahoma, 5. Purdue, 6. Kentucky, 7. Navy, 8. Iowa, 9. UNVL, 10. Illinois, 11. Pittsburgh, 12. Auburn, 13. Georgia Tech, 14. Alabama, 15. Cleveland State, 16. California, 17. New Orleans, 18. Western Kentucky, 19. Iowa State and 20. Florida.
Street & Smith: 1. North Carolina, 2. Louisville, 3. UNVL, 4. Indiana, 5. Georgetown, 6. Purdue, 7. Kentucky, 8. Kansas, 9. Georgia Tech, 10. Navy, 11. DePaul, 12. Syracuse, 13. Arizona, 14. Notre Dame, 15. Oklahoma, 16. Auburn, 17. Iowa State, 18. N.C. State, 19. Tulsa and 20. Iowa.
pick Vitale's Basketball: 1. North Carolina, 2. Louisville, 3. Kentucky, 4. UNLV, 5. Indiana, 6. Georgia Tech, 7. Purdue, 8. Iowa, 9. Syracuse, 10. Kansas, 11. Illinois, 12. Alabama, 13. Arizona, 14. Notre Dame, 15. Auburn, 16. N.C. State, 17. Villanova, 18. Navy, 19. UCLA and 20. Western Kentucky.
From the early preseason top twenty, it's easy to determine where the best collegiate basketball will be played this winter, in the states of Kentucky and Indiana, a notch ahead of North Carolina.
Kentucky boasts of three consensus Top Twenty teams in Kentucky, Louisville'and Western Kentucky while Indiana sports Top Twenty teams at IU, Purdue and Notre Dame. No other state can claim such fame.
North Carolina comes close with the Tar Heels but experts are divided on the talent
level at both N.C. State and Duke.
Again the West is virtually shut out. UNLV gets a lot of votes but only UCLA gets any attention west of the Rockies. George Raveling and Southern Cal will make some noise in the not-too-distant future, but the Trojans are a couple years away.
Teams are allowed to begin practice on Oct. 15 each year and you can bet it won't be long before the early November recruiting races near the boiling point.
While everyone seems to be picking Kentucky to rule the roost in the SEC, it says here that as many as five teams have a legitimate shot at the top spot.
Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky and LSU all have a shot at the title.
As everyone south of the Mason-Dixon line knows, seven different teams have won the SEC tournament tide the last eight years with only Kentucky winning the title more than once. Don't be surprised if an eighth team makes it eight out of nine years.
The surprise team in our opinion could be the Florida Gators with Norm Sloan as he nears retirement. The big question will surround how much play he can get from his freshman center Dwayne Schintzius. If he comes through, the Gators will have a super season with the play of Vernon Maxwell, Pat & Joe Lawrence and Andrew Moten.
LSU is going to be down according to some, but don't sell Dale Brown short. Besides, Nikita Wilson (who needs to pass 15 hours this fall to be eligible for the second term) might be the best in the SEC and Fess Irvin will make Tigers fens forget Derrick Taylor ever played. And no one, other than Kentucky, plays better on the road in the SEC than LSU.
Auburn has a wealth of talent returning if the Tigers will only decide to play in December and January, something they haven't done the past couple years. Auburn has as much talent as anyone in the league.
Alabama lost a great one in Buck Johnson but Derrick McKey returns and he just might be the best center in the SEC. Terry Coner, Jim Farmer and Mark Gottfried all return and since many of the league's top stars departed last spring, Wimp Sanderson may just be the top gun next March.
Kentucky lost Kenny "Sky" Walker and Roger Harden, but Winston Bennett returns along with Ed Davender and James Blackmon. But the real question marks which must be answered surround veterans Cedric Jenkins, Rob Lock and Richard Madison. Two of the three must come through and Eddie Sutton will have to get some early help from freshmen Rex Chapman and Derrick Miller.
Tennessee returns just about everyone, but the disappointment of a losing season still lingers in the minds of most Big Orange fens. Sophomore Doug Roth, a prep All-American out of Knoxville, must come through for Don DeVoe if the Vols are to be a contender.
Hugh Durham lost top scorers Donald Har-try and Joe Ward, but the Dawgs always seem to bounce back under the highly respected
[Continued On Page 34] UK Whipped In Almost Every Aspect
Johnny Rebs March
Just as everything went right for Kentucky a week earlier in thrashing Southern Mississippi 32-0, the opposite held true in a collision with another Mississippi team in Jackson Memorial Stadium Saturday as the Ole Miss Rebels completely manhandled the 'Cats in every respect to the tune of 33-13.
Actually, the outcome could have been worse had it not been for three or four mistakes by the Rebels themselves. And no one evaluated the wreckage more accurate than Kentucky Coach Jerry Claiborne.
"We got beat every way you can. On the line, in the secondary, dropped passes. We didn't take responsibility on the option. Our minds were not on the football game. The intensity was not there."
Then Claiborne added, "Why? I don't know. It's my job to find out. We didn't do a good job of preparing them (the players). We didn't do a good job of getting them ready. We made so many mistakes. You can't win in this league and make the mistakes we made today."
Astute students of the SEC knew after the first Wildcat offensive series it would be a long afternoon for the Big Blue.
In five previous games this season, Ole Miss' defense had permitted the opposition to score on its first offensive series in each and every game. At the same time, Ole Miss' offense hadn't scored on its first series, or for that matter, hadn't even scored any points in the opening period.
That statistic changed Saturday and so did the odds of Rebel coach Billy Brewer getting an extended contract as head boss.
First Quarter Events Finally Fall Johnny Rebs' Way
Ole Miss won the pre-game coin toss and Brewer chose to have the second half option which most teams do these days. But that decision also gave the opposition a chance to take a lead for the sixth straight time this season.
With senior record-setting quarterback Bill Ransdell leading the attack, the 'Cats took the opening kick-off and marched from their own 18 to the Ole Miss 42 in a series which seemed on line for an Ole Miss opponent to take the lead once again.
Then, Kentucky's momentum began to change.
Facing a second and seven from the 42, Marc Logan was nailed for a one-yard loss on a sweep. Faced with a third and eight from the 43, Ransdell was all set to complete his third pass of the game and become UK's all-time leader in passing yardage (he needed only 3 yards at the time) when Cornell Burbage was spotted wide open at the Ole Miss 30. Had the pass been completed UK would have had an automatic first down. In fact, it's likely Burbage would have found himself all the way in the endzone.
But. . .
The ball sailed behind Burbage and UK had to call on punter Jeff Nelson to kick the ball away.
"We weren't on the same page," said Ransdell after the game. "I thought he was going to stop and he took a couple more steps. I just didn't get the job done."
Ole Miss' defense had held on the first series for the first time this season and Ole Miss would not trail first.
The Rebels promptly marched to the Kentucky 23 in 11 plays and then called on Bryan Owen to kick a 39-yard field goal at 6:26 for a 3-0 Ole Miss lead.
Kentucky's offense failed to pick up a first down on its next series and Nelson was called on for the second of nine kicks as Ole Miss began its next drive at its own 39.
Although Ole Miss squeezed the Big Blue defenders pretty good on the next drive and marched to the UK 32, it was the big pass play which put the 'Cats in the hole. Quarterback Mark Young completed a 20-yard pass to the Rebs' outstanding flanker, J.R. Ambrose at the UK 39.
Staring at a fourth and three on the UK 32, Ole Miss called upon Owen again for a field goal try of 50 yards. After a bad snap and hold, Owen barley managed a line drive which bounced on the UK 15. Kentucky had held and UK dodged a bullet.
Given a new lease on life, the UK offense onced again failed to gain yardaged. On first down, Higgs lost two yards as he was hit in the backfield just as Ransdell handed him the ball. Ransdell then hit Eric Pitts on a play which normally would pick up a first down. This time, Ole Miss held Pitts to five. Ole Miss then broke up a pass from Ransdell to Burbage as the Rebel defense made a shambles of the UK offensive line.
It was clear the 'Cats were in for a long, long day. On the field trotted Nelson for the third time in the quarter.
Mayes' Recovery In End Zone Gave UK The Lead
Nelson kicked to about the Ole Miss 25 where punt return specialist Ambrose was set to make the return. At the very last moment, Ricky Myers crossed in front of Ambrose and the two collided as the ball squirted toward the goal line.
Carwell Gardner was about to recover the loose ball inside the Ole Miss five when an Ole Miss defense knocked it away from him. After a couple more wild scrambles, the ball finally reached the end zone where UK's Tony Mayes ended up with the pigskin and a UK touchdown.
Amazingly, with just 1:32 left in a period where UK was completely outplayed by the opposition, the Wildcats held a 7-3 lead after Joey Worley connected on the point after.
Die-hard UK fans thought the Big Blue would gather steam, rebound and improve its record to 4-0-1 after the big break. So did Carwell Gardner.
A Picture Can Tell A Thousand Words Bill Ransdell And UK Were Pounded By Ole Miss, 33-13
"I thought that was going to be a big turning point for us," said Gardner. "I thought we'd done something to get our minds right." So did running back Mark Higgs.
"It was a big play and I thought it would be a big spark," said Higgs, who was nursing a sprained ankle he suffered in practice on Thursday, "but nothing went right. We just got to go out and work hard and get back to basics."
Although Ole Miss trailed 7-3 entering the second period, it was no secret as to who was the better team this particular day. In the opening period alone, Ole Miss outgain-ed the Cats 119 to 49 and Young was picking the UK secondary part, if not consistently, certainly on big-play situations.
The big score from punt formation did nothing to inspire the UK defense.
Ole Miss promptly trotted 71 yards on the next series to take command of a 9-7 lead on Willie Goodloe's three-yard run at 14:57. Owen tacked on the point after for a 10-7 lead.
The Rebs' drive began when Young struck the UK defense right off the bat, connecting with split end Ricky Myers for 31 yards to the UK 40.
Goodloe then streaked up the middle on a draw play for 11 yards and UK was so frustrated that one Wildcat was hit with a 15-yard personal foul penalty. Suddenly, Ole Miss was breathing down UK's throat, first and ten at the UK 15. Past Jerry's Cats, 33-13
'Yt>u Name It, We Did It Wrong,'  Jerry Claiborne
It was clear by this time. Kentucky would suffer its first loss of the season. Still, the 'Cats had several chances to come back.
'Cats Ron Out Of Lives; Lose For Initial Time This Season
On the next series, UK moved the ball down to the Ole Miss 41 before Pitts fumbled away the ball after Ransdell had connected for just a yard.
Ole Miss seized the opportunity. On the first play from scrimmage, Gcodloe zipped through a hole off right guard and raced 60 yards for a touchdown and a 17-7 lead.
Later in the first half Kentucky blew its biggest chance to get back in the game when fullback Joe Mickles fumbled on Ole Miss' 11-yard line.
Trailing only 17-7, Kentucky took over with 8:24 remaining in the half. Before the Cats could get a play off, UK was hit with a five-yard illegal procedure penalty.
An incomplete pass, a running play which lost six yards and another incomplete pass left UK facing a fourth and 21 from the OM 22. Joey Worley's attempt from 37 yards out sailed wide to the left.
Adding insult to injury, Ole Miss charged back later in the half to take a 20-7 advantage on a 35-yard Owen field goal. And when UK muffed the ensuing kick-off at 0:08,
Ole Miss got the ball back again and kicked another field goal of 34 yards for a strong 23-7 lead at the intermission.
Kentucky's defense showed signs of dramatic improvement the first few minutes of the third period, but Ole Miss got out of a hole when Young connected with Ambrose for 38 yards on a third and long situation.
Kentucky never seriously challenged after that.
In fact, the two clubs traded light punches until Ole Miss mounted a scoring drive late in the period and finally broke the game wide open early in the fourth period as Owen hit a 40-yard field goal with 12:43 left in the game.
Kentucky, desperate to mount a threat, went to backup quarterback Kevin Dooley with 10:43 left in the game, but the 'Cats were called for illegal procedure before the first snap. In fact, Claiborne had summoned Ransdell back to his side by the time Dooley took his third snap. It was to be his last of the afternoon.
The next series brought Ransdell back into action after Kentucky recovered a fumble on the Ole Miss 35. Once again, the flag caught the 'Cats, this time with one for offsides. Thanks to three Ransdell passes, the last being a screen to Marc Logan on a fourth and 16 situation, the UK offense finally got on the scoreboard. Kentucky failed on the two-point conversion at 5:48 and trailed 26-13. Claiborne later said he felt the Cats had an outside shot if the defense could have held the next series. It didn't.
"If we could have stopped them on the next series, we could've scored and had an onsides kick," explained Claiborne. "There was time left, but we didn't stop them."
Ole Miss marched straight down the field after a 15-yard personal foul penalty moved Ole Miss' ball possession to midfield. Eight plays later sophomore Johnny Boatman scored from two yards out and Owen kicked the extra point. The scoreboard read: Ole Miss 33Kentucky 13. Gametime.
Ole Miss rolled up 418 yards offense to a miserable 203 for Kentucky. In the first down department, Ole Miss racked up 21 to only 12 for UK.
Kentucky was hit particularly hard in the penalty column, cited 13 times for 100 yards, more yardage than UK backs gained all day in the rushing category.
Kentucky's Jeff Nelson Continues To Kick Well
Ironically, the only statistical category which UK earned any respect was in the punting department where the 'Cats were going up against the nation's second ranked punter.
Punter Bill Smith was averaging well over 40 yards per try until Saturday when he averaged only 38.6 on four kicks. Jeff Nelson, UK's punter enjoyed plenty of practice, kicking nine times for a 45.2 average.
The win improved Ole Miss' record to 3-2-1 over and 1-1 in the SEC. Kentucky fell to 3-1-1 in dropping its first SEC contest of the season.
Kentucky will now lick its wounds and try to get ready for the surging LSU Tigers who knocked off Georgia Saturday. The UK-LSU battle will kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Commonwealth Stadium.
Ole Miss returns to its campus in Oxford Saturday for its annual homecoming as SW Louisiana provides the opposition. For Billy Brewer, it should have a nice beginning, to say the least.
Wildcat-Rebel Tidbits
The biggest disappointment on an otherwise great afternoon for Ole Miss had to be the less than 28,000 fans who showed up for the game. But that has not been unusual in recent years. That's also part of the reason why everyone considered the UK game to be pivotial for Brewer. This is Billy's fourth season at Oxford and a loss would have left the Rebs with a 2-3-1 record and prospects of a losing season. That coupled with Mississippi State's new-found success makes for a difficult time for an Ole Miss fan in Mississippi. . . Because of all those empty seats, Ole Miss officials were gracious to Kentucky inasmuch that UK fans were offered excellent seats along the 40-yard line, a far cry from visitors' seats in most stadiums which usually are near the goal line or in the end zone . . . Watching from the press box were officials from both the Sugar Bowl and the Peach Bowl. It's highly unlikely the Sugar Bowl representative wasted a great deal of time in taking notes on this one . . . The SEC's representative was Gordon Pettus who is in charge of football officials . . . Making the trip with the UK official party was UK president Otis Singletary as he cheers the Cats on for the final season as president of the university. Dr. Singletary retires from the presidency next June. The loss had to be particularly painful to him as he completes his 18th year in Lexington. It's no secret that one of Singletary's greatest non-academic loves is football. No president before Dr. Singletary has worked as hard or done more to promote UK football than this man . . . Also on the team plane were UK board trustee George Griffin and long-time UK athletics booster Seth Hancock, one of the top thoroughbred breeders in the world. Griffin will most likely have a strong say-so in Singletary's replacement while Hancock was the man who is