AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Carnell Williams rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns and No. 3 Auburn allowed only 110 yards in a 42-10 win over Kentucky on Saturday.
Ronnie Brown also rushed for two TDs for the Tigers (8-0, 5-0 Southeastern Conference), who overpowered the league’s worst defense to overcome a stretch of sloppy play.
Auburn began the week by debuting at No. 4 in the Bowl Championship Series standings. The Tigers capped it with their fifth straight blowout win courtesy of a powerful running game and the nation’s No. 2 scoring defense.
The Wildcats (1-6, 0-4) have dropped five consecutive games and 14 in a row against the Tigers.
Williams needed only 17 carries for his first 100-yard game in six weeks and third of the season. He scored on runs of 1 and 9 yards in the first quarter as Auburn opened up a 21-0 lead in the first 10:29.
Brown finished with 53 yards, including scoring runs of 12 and 17 yards. Jason Campbell completed 11 of 15 passes for 127 yards but all three offensive stars sat out the fourth quarter.
Redshirt freshman Andre’ Woodson was sacked eight times in his first start at quarterback for Kentucky with Shane Boyd sidelined by a shoulder injury. He was 14-of-26 passing for only 73 yards and lost two fumbles, the second returned for a late 15-yard score by Kevis Burnam.
The Tigers held Kentucky to 37 yards on 36 rushes, constantly penetrating the line to harass Woodson and bury the runners.
Auburn scored touchdowns on its first three possessions after opening at Kentucky’s 29, 35 and 19 thanks to two short punts and a fumble by Woodson.
Then the Tigers got sloppy and led only 21-7 at the half.
Rafael Little’s 3-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-1 in the second quarter was the first rushing score the Tigers have given up this season.
Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville then inserted the No. 2 offense and backup quarterback Brandon Cox promptly was intercepted by Antoine Huffman at the Tigers’ 40. The defense saved them by forcing a punt.
However, Auburn’s last drive of the half ended with two consecutive penalties – one negating a touchdown pass to Courtney Taylor – and a sack.
Campbell fumbled a snap from backup center Steven Ross – subbing for an injured Jeremy Ingle – on the second play of the third quarter. Kentucky answered with Taylor Begley’s 37-yard field goal.
It was only a brief glimmer of hope for the Wildcats.
The Tigers responded by moving 80 yards on nine plays with Brown scoring on a 17-yarder and the rout was on again. Campbell had converted a fourth-and-3 with a 7-yard pass to Taylor on the previous play and Williams scampered 36 yards into Wildcat territory.
Kentucky’s leading rusher, Tony Dixon, aggravated an ankle injury early and didn’t return.
