Oct 25, 2003

Final Stats?|?Quotes?|?Notes?|?Photo Gallery
| Photo Gallery #2

By MURRAY EVANS
Associated Press Writer

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Derek Abney tied the NCAA career record for kick return touchdowns with an 80-yard punt return in the third quarter and also added a long scoring catch in Kentucky’s 42-17 win over Mississippi State on Saturday.

Kentucky (4-4, 1-3 Southeastern Conference) rallied from a 17-0 first-half deficit against the Bulldogs, who have the worst defense in the SEC.

Mississippi State (2-6, 1-3) has lost both its games since coach Jackie Sherrill announced he would retire at the end of the season.

Abney gave the Wildcats their first lead at 21-17 with an 80-yard punt return in the third quarter. It was Abney’s eighth career kick return for a score, tying the NCAA record held by Cliff Branch of Colorado (1970-71) and Johnny Rodgers of Nebraska (1970-72).

Abney, a senior, also caught a 53-yard touchdown pass from Jared Lorenzen in the fourth quarter. It was the 75th scoring pass of Lorenzen’s career, breaking the school record set by Tim Couch.

Arliss Beach added a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs for Kentucky, which posted its highest point total of the season after a sluggish start.

Mississippi State entered the game allowing an average of 485.9 yards per contest, but Kentucky managed only 141 yards – just 33 on the ground – before halftime.

Kentucky pulled within 17-14 with an 80-yard touchdown drive to open the second half and finished with 410 yards of offense. Lorenzen completed 16 of 24 passes for 256 yards.

Mississippi State’s Jerious Norwood had 105 yards rushing by the end of the first quarter, including a 58-yard touchdown run, but he gained only 28 yards after that carry. The Bulldogs committed three turnovers.

The Bulldogs recovered Lorenzen’s fumble at the Kentucky 26 which led to another touchdown, an 11-yard pass from Kevin Fant to Ray Ray Bivines for a 17-0 second-quarter lead.

Kentucky scored 38 seconds before halftime on Ronald Johnson’s 7-yard run.