September 12, 1998
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) – Tim Couch threw for 372 yards and five touchdowns asKentucky gave a home-opening crowd the aerial show it wanted in a 52-7 victorySaturday over Division I-AA Eastern Kentucky.
For the second week in a row, Kentucky (2-0) showcased a deep and versatilereceiving corps against a relatively inexperienced secondary. Like Louisvillelast week, Eastern Kentucky (1-1) was overmatched as Couch completed 32 of 41passes, hitting eight receivers, five of whom caught touchdowns.
Two weeks into the season, Couch has passed for 870 yards and thrown 12touchdowns without an interception. The Wildcats have scored 120 points andgained 1,249 yards of offense.
The defense, the Wildcats’ primary area of concern, held Eastern to 41passing yards and 184 yards of offense.
Kentucky’s Commonwealth Stadium opener was the first-ever meeting of theschools in football.
Kentucky led 14-0 after one quarter and 35-0 at the half on Couch’s threesecond-quarter touchdown passes. Eastern didn’t get on the board until JonDenton, a transfer from UNLV, threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to tight end TonyDeGregorio with 3:47 left in the third quarter.
The Colonels were able to pressure Couch at times, especially in the firstquarter when he threw a couple balls that were nearly intercepted. The Colonelssacked Couch four times, two by linebacker Lee Tinsley, who had eightunassisted tackles.
Even with the passing game’s timing slightly off, the Wildcats assembled a14-play, 73-yard touchdown drive to open the game, capped by fullback DerekHomer’s 1-yard run. Linebacker Marlon McCree stripped the ball from EasternKentucky tailback Derick Logan, who transferred from Kentucky. David Johnsonpicked up the loose ball and ran 21 yards for the score.
In the second quarter, Kentucky started springing receivers open downfield.Couch got his first touchdown pass on a quick-count snap pass over the middleto Jermaine White and followed with quick strikes to Kevin Coleman and CraigYeast.
Couch added second-half touchdown passes to James Whalen Jr. and Garry Davisand Seth Hanson had a 25-yard field goal.
By TIM WHITMIREAssociated Press Writer
