Kentucky pulls off rare victory 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 Volunteers 34-7 on Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn.
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. We’re responsible for what we’ve done lately,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said. “Two years ago, I didn’t like how I 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 game was 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.”
Mullen latest to test positive: Florida coach Dan Mullen, who last week wanted 90,000 fans packed inside the stadium amid a pandemic, says he has tested positive for COVID-19.
Mullen made the announcement Saturday on Twitter, saying his initial positive result was confirmed by a second test. The 10th-ranked Gators had at least 21 players and coaches test positive earlier this week, an outbreak that prompted the SEC to postpone Florida’s next two games.
With potentially dozens more quarantined because of contract tracing, the Gators (2-1) would have had fewer than 50 scholarship players available to face defending national champion LSU (1-2) in the Swamp.
Two assistant coaches also tested positive for the highly contagious virus.
The 48-year-old Mullen says he has experienced “mild to no symptoms.”
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, 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 scrimmage was 30 yards in the same game. Entering the contest, Louis had just 23 carries for 140 yards 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: Kyren Williams 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 with 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. Will Mallory 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.