Oct. 16, 1999
By TIM WHITMIRE
AP Sports Writer
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Derek Homer ran for two touchdowns and Kentucky’ssuddenly dominant defense turned in another outstanding performance as theWildcats beat LSU 31-5 on Saturday for their third straight victory.
The Wildcats (5-2) remained in contention in the Southeastern ConferenceEast division (3-1) and moved within one victory of eligibility for a secondstraight bowl berth.
LSU (2-4, 0-4 SEC) remained winless in the conference and coach GerryDiNardo saw his already-imperiled job further jeopardized by his team’sthorough beating. LSU now must win four of its last five games to have awinning season.
On the heels of its strong play in victories over Arkansas and SouthCarolina, the Kentucky defense surrendered just 73 rushing yards and a mere 227yards of offense. It was the first time in Kentucky coach Hal Mumme’s 30 gamesthat the Wildcats had kept an opponent from reaching the end zone.
Kentucky quarterback Dusty Bonner completed 26-of-41 attempts for 294 yardsand running back Anthony White caught eight passes for 82 yards and ran ninetimes for 51 yards.
Much-hyped LSU quarterback Josh Booty, who left baseball’s Florida Marlinsto play college football, struggled once again, completing just 12 of 33 passesfor 154 yards with three interceptions. Rondell Mealey carried 21 times for 84yards.
Things went badly from the start for LSU. Given the ball on a reverse on thefirst play from scrimmage, Jerel Myers was tackled for an 11-yard loss byKentucky’s Dennis Johnson.
The Tigers went three-and-out and punted to Kentucky’s Kendrick Shanklin,who ripped 56 yards up the middle for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead just 1:14 intothe game.
After an LSU field goal, Kentucky went 82 yards in 12 plays, capped byHomer’s 5-yard run for a 14-3 lead.
Kentucky gave up a safety when LSU’s Jarvis Green blocked a punt out of theend zone with 51 seconds left in the first quarter, but that was all thescoring LSU could manage.
The Wildcats forced the Tigers to punt on their next four possessions, andLSU’s John Corbello missed a 26-yard field goal just before the half.
The second half was all Kentucky. White ran for a 34-yard touchdown on theWildcats’ second possession of the third quarter, pushing the lead to 24-5, andAnthony Wajda intecepted two passes off Booty, giving him four pickoffs in theWildcats’ last three games.
The first interception, moments after White’s touchdown, set up the Wildcatsat the LSU 27. Bonner completed a 22-yard sideline pattern to McCord, and Homerran 5 yards for his second touchdown of the day.
LSU drove to the Kentucky 4 early in the fourth quarter, but Booty’s passwas intercepted by linebacker Marlon McCree as he tried to throw to the endzone on fourth down.
With Kentucky leading by 26 points midway through the fourth quarter, Mummeordered a fake punt on fourth-and-22 from the Wildcats 42, with upback A.J.Simon hitting tight end Derek Smith for 23 yards and the first down.
