Wildcats offense breaks out with 48-23 win over Eastern Michigan

Seth McGowan rushed for 104 yards and three touchdowns, Cutter Boley threw two touchdown passes in his first start of the season, and Kentucky to a 48-23 win over Eastern Michigan on Saturday night.

Boley replaced Zach Calzada, who started Kentucky’s first two games but injured his right shoulder late in the fourth quarter of last Saturday’s 30-23 loss to No. 17 Mississippi. Boley was 12-of-21 passing for 240 and threw touchdowns of 3 and 4 yards to tight ends Willie Rodriquez and Josh Kattus.

Noah Kim kept the Eagles (0-3) close for a half. He threw for 330 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown to Terry Lockett Jr. with 1:36 left in the first half and rushed for a 5-yard score with 58 seconds left in the game.

Boley’s previous start was in last year’s finale against Louisville, a 41-14 loss where he was intercepted twice and left the game with a head injury. The sophomore from Lexington responded with a solid performance, not taking a sack and completing passes to seven different receivers.

Kentucky generated a balanced offensive attack, totaling 492 yards – 252 on the ground and 240 through the air. McGowan scored on runs of 4, 12 and 8 yards. Freshman Jason Patterson ran for 80 yards and scored his first career touchdown on a 6-yard run.

The Wildcats have a bye week next Saturday before traveling to South Carolina on Sept. 27.


(AP Photo Michael Swensen)