LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Andre Woodson threw for three touchdowns, including a 51-yarder on Kentucky’s first snap of the season, and the Wildcats defeated Eastern Kentucky 50-10 Saturday night.
It was the first time since 1993 that Kentucky had opened against someone other than No. 10 Louisville, and the Colonels, who play 25 miles down the road in Richmond, didn’t present nearly the challenge as that other in-state foe.
Kentucky (1-0) is returning nearly all the offensive playmakers from last year’s team that went 8-5 and beat Clemson in the Music City Bowl, and most had a hand in this win.
Woodson, coming off a 31-touchdown season, picked up where he left off, completing 20 of 29 passes for 250 yards in less than three quarters of work.
After the Wildcats took possession for the first time near midfield, he nailed Dicky Lyons Jr. sprinting down the left sideline for the opening score.
The rout was on.
Kentucky scored on six of its first eight possessions, compiling five touchdowns in the process. The only stop by Eastern Kentucky (0-1) during that span came when Lones Seiber missed a 40-yard field goal attempt and when Woodson’s Hail Mary pass fell short to end the half.
Kentucky led 30-3 at halftime, and Rafael Little found the end zone from 38 yards out on the Wildcats’ first possession of the second half as part of his 135-yard rushing day.
The Wildcats also got two rushing TDs from Tony Dixon and one from Alfonso Smith.
Little’s muffed punt put the Colonels in position for their lone touchdown. Allan Holland, who took over for an ineffective Josh Greco at quarterback early in the game, connected with Evan Cromer on the four-yard TD.
Seiber had a 48-yard field goal to match his career long set last year against Georgia, but he also missed two extra point attempts.
Freshman backup quarterback Mike Hartline took over for Woodson near the end of the third quarter but spent most of his time handing off to running backs. He completed three of four passes for 30 yards and an interception.
Kentucky’s only punt of the game came in the fourth quarter.
The Colonels dropped to 0-2 all-time against Kentucky.
