Kentucky nets rare win over Vols in Knoxville
Kelvin Joseph and Jami Davis returned interceptions for touchdowns in the first half and Kentucky shut out No. 18 Tennessee in the second half to bury the host Volunteers 34-7 on Saturday in Knoxville.
It was Kentucky’s first win in Neyland Stadium since 1984, the Wildcats’ largest margin of victory in Knoxville since 56-0 in 1893 and their most lopsided victory in the series since 1935.
“I don’t like our team inheriting 20, 30 years of history that’s not on these guys,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said. “We’re responsible for whatwe’ve done lately.
“Two years ago, I didn’t like howI had them ready to play and we altered that, got some things fixed and played much better. That’s on me as much as it is on the team.”
After getting six interceptions and allowing only a safety against Mississippi State last week, the Wildcats (2-2) picked off three passes against the Vols (2-2).
“This gamewas definitely personal for us,” said Davis, Kentucky’s linebacker. “We came out and put our foot on their necks. We’re tired of leaving here empty-handed.”
Tennessee has now followed up an eight-game winning streak with a two-game losing streak.
“There’s lots of areas we need to improve obviously, but it’s more about creating the right habits,” Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt said. “It’s how you practice every single day. It’s the work ethic. It’s creating the right habits.
“It’s on everybody within our organization to really improve that. We’ve got towork hard to do that.”
Joseph’s 41-yard touchdown and
Davis’ 85-yard return — both off interceptions thrown by Jarrett Guarantano — helped put Kentucky up 17-0 in the second quarter.
Flames make history: Seldomused running back Shedro Louis scored on touchdown runs of 75 and 52 yards, quarterback Malik Willis passed for one and ran for another score, and Liberty stayed undefeated by downing host Syracuse 38-21.
It was Liberty’s first win against an ACC team.
Louis, a third-string sophomore, rushed for a career-high 170 yards for the Flames (5-0). Liberty, which averaged 250 yards on the ground entering the game, had 258 yards rushing in the first half and 338 for the game.
In a 24-0 shutout over Liberty a year ago, Syracuse (1-4) held the Flames to minus-4 yards on the ground.
Louis’ previous game high was 57 yards against North Alabama earlier this season. His longest run from scrimmagewas 30 yards in the same game. Entering the contest, Louis hadjust 23 carries for 140yards in his career.
Big day for Lawrence: Trevor Lawrence brushed off the first interception he has thrown this season and passed for a career-high 404 yards and five touchdowns as No. 1 Clemson overwhelmed Georgia Tech 73-7 on Saturday.
Lawrence completed 24 of 33 passes. All of his scoring passes came in the Tigers’ dominant first half.
Clemson led 52-7 at halftime and kept adding to the lead in the second half, even with second- and thirdstringers on the field.
Lawrence left the game after
Clemson’s first possession of the second half.
Clemson (5-0, 4-0 ACC) outgained Georgia Tech 671-204. The Tigers compiled an equally lopsided 29-7 advantage in first downs.
Elsewhere: KyrenWilliams ran for 127 yards and Ian Book had a 13-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter that gave No. 4 Notre Dame the lead for good as the Fighting Irish held off Louisville for a 12-7 victory. Williams ran 25 times and had his third 100-yard game of the season as the Irish (4-0, 3-0 ACC) won their 22nd straight at home. ... D’Eriq King threw four touchdown passes and No. 13 Miami beat Pittsburgh 31-19. WillMallory caught two of King’s scoring passes as the Hurricanes (4-1, 3-1 ACC) bounced back from a 42-17 loss at top-ranked Clemson last week. The Panthers (3-3, 2-3) lost their third straight.