By JEFFREY McMURRAY
Associated Press Writer
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) – Andre Woodson threw four touchdown passes, moving into a tie for first in the Southeastern Conference, and Kentucky benefited from eight fumbles in a 45-36 victory over Central Michigan Saturday night.
Woodson, who threw only six touchdowns as Kentucky’s starter last year, now has 14 this season. Florida’s Chris Leak had two scoring passes against Alabama, giving him 14 to tie Woodson for the conference lead.
In a battle of high-octane, albeit sometimes error-prone offenses, Central Michigan mounted a second-half comeback and pulled within two when Dan LeFevour found Bryan Anderson for a 23-yard touchdown with seven minutes left.
But a false start penalty on the two-point conversion try pushed the Chippewas back, and Kentucky’s Trevard Lindley batted down another LeFevour pass to Anderson in the end zone.
A short kickoff and personal foul penalty immediately moved Kentucky (3-2) into prime scoring position on the ensuing drive, and Rafael Little ran for a 4-yard touchdown – his second score of the game – to put it out of reach.
All night, it was feast or famine for the passing offense of the Chippewas (2-3), playing their first game against an SEC foe since losing to eventual national champion Florida in 1997.
Central Michigan had eight fumbles and lost three, along with an interception. Kentucky also had turnover problems in the first half with a lost fumble and interception.
For the first time this season, Kentucky scored on its opening possession. A balanced attack of runs and passes quickly moved the team into position before Keenan Burton found the end zone on a three-yard pass from Woodson.
After that, it started raining turnovers – including the next three straight plays, with many more to follow.
Central Michigan’s starting quarterback Brian Brunner completed a pass to tight end Dave Condeni, only for Condeni to immediately cough up the ball to Kentucky linebacker Wesley Woodyard.
With possession back, Woodson tried to hit Dicky Lyons deep, but Pacino Horne leaped to pick it off in the end zone.
On the next play, Kentucky got it back when Marcus McClinton intercepted a flea-flicker attempt. Woodson capitalized this time, finding tight end Jacob Tamme for a 19-yard score to make it 14-0.
McClinton disrupted Central Michigan plays all night long by forcing one fumble and recovering another along with the pick.
More fumbles ended the next drive for both teams before a dazzling play by Little gave the Wildcats a three-touchdown lead and put aside concerns about his ailing knee. He took a shuffle pass and scored from 24 yards out, using a devastating cut to fake out would-be tackler Tim Brazzel.
Kentucky, which later recovered yet another fumble and picked up a touchdown run from Tony Dixon, seemed to be cruising to victory. But Central Michigan coach Brian Kelly made a quarterback change, and the Chippewas came to life.
On his first possession under center, redshirt freshman LeFevour connected with Damien Linson for a 61-yard touchdown.
He also threw a 10-yard score to Justin Gardner, and Rick Albreski nailed a 19-yard field goal as the final seconds of the half expired to cut Kentucky’s lead to 28-17.
A fake punt followed by another field goal would make it a one-possession game early in the second half.
Even though he didn’t start, LeFevour matched Woodson’s four touchdown passes and also had 360 yards.
Burton had two touchdowns and 124 receiving yards to lead Kentucky. Anderson (137) and Linson (134) led the Chippewas.
