Kewan Lacy runs for 138 yards and a TD in No. 20 Mississippi's 30-23 win over Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- — Kewan Lacy ran for 138 yards and a touchdown to help No. 20 Mississippi beat Kentucky 30-23 on Saturday in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.The Rebels (2-0) avenged a 20-17 loss to the Wildcats last year in Oxford and have won four of the past five games against Kentucky. The Wildcats (1-1) have lost eight consecutive conference games dating to last season.
“To come on the road in the SEC and win is hard,” Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said. “That game toward the end was like last year, but all three phases went our way this year.”
Lacy and quarterback Austin Simmons accounted for 376 of 457 total yards of offense. Simmons threw for 235 yards and overcame a pair of interceptions that resulted in an early 10-0 deficit.
Harrison Wallace III caught four passes for 117 yards for the Rebels, who had four explosive plays that went for 20 or more yards. Wallace hauled in a 55-yard strike from Simmons in the second quarter that led to Ole Miss’ first score.
Seth McGowan rushed for 88 yards and two touchdowns for Kentucky. Zach Calzada threw for 149 yards before leaving the game in the fourth quarter after taking an apparent hit to the shoulder. Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said Calzada was “banged up.
“He’s hurt, but I don’t know the extent,” Stoops said.
Kentucky: The Wildcats have managed just 659 yards of offense in the first two games. Kentucky, which had just one offensive penalty in a season-opening win over Toledo, was flagged six times for 50 yards. Despite the struggles, Stoops liked the effort his squad produced in the league opener.
“I love the fight of this team,” he said. “It’s early in the year, and we have a lot of football ahead of us. That’s a good thing. And I like this team. I like the way they fight and scrap and will improve.”
Kentucky: Hosts Eastern Michigan next Saturday.
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