Wildcats win third straight game behind another solid defensive effort.
By TIM WHITMIRE
AP Sports Writer
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Derek Homer ran for two touchdowns and Kentucky’s suddenly dominant defense turned in another outstanding performance as the Wildcats beat LSU 31-5 on Saturday for their third straight victory.
The Wildcats (5-2) remained in contention in the Southeastern Conference East division (3-1) and moved within one victory of eligibility for a second straight bowl berth.
LSU (2-4, 0-4 SEC) remained winless in the conference and coach Gerry DiNardo saw his already-imperiled job further jeopardized by his team’s thorough beating. LSU now must win four of its last five games to have a winning season.
On the heels of its strong play in victories over Arkansas and South Carolina, the Kentucky defense surrendered just 73 rushing yards and a mere 227 yards of offense. It was the first time in Kentucky coach Hal Mumme’s 30 games that the Wildcats had kept an opponent from reaching the end zone.
Kentucky quarterback Dusty Bonner completed 26-of-41 attempts for 294 yards and running back Anthony White caught eight passes for 82 yards and ran nine times for 51 yards.
Much-hyped LSU quarterback Josh Booty, who left baseball’s Florida Marlins to play college football, struggled once again, completing just 12 of 33 passes for 154 yards with three interceptions. Rondell Mealey carried 21 times for 84 yards.
Things went badly from the start for LSU. Given the ball on a reverse on the first play from scrimmage, Jerel Myers was tackled for an 11-yard loss by Kentucky’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 into the game.
After an LSU field goal, Kentucky went 82 yards in 12 plays, capped by Homer’s 5-yard run for a 14-3 lead.
Kentucky gave up a safety when LSU’s Jarvis Green blocked a punt out of the end zone with 51 seconds left in the first quarter, but that was all the scoring LSU could manage.
The Wildcats forced the Tigers to punt on their next four possessions, and LSU’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 the Wildcats’ second possession of the third quarter, pushing the lead to 24-5, and Anthony Wajda intecepted two passes off Booty, giving him four pickoffs in the Wildcats’ last three games.
The first interception, moments after White’s touchdown, set up the Wildcats at the LSU 27. Bonner completed a 22-yard sideline pattern to McCord, and Homer ran 5 yards for his second touchdown of the day.
LSU drove to the Kentucky 4 early in the fourth quarter, but Booty’s pass was intercepted by linebacker Marlon McCree as he tried to throw to the end zone on fourth down.
With Kentucky leading by 26 points midway through the fourth quarter, Mumme ordered 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.
