Play in Kentucky-Southern Miss game suspended in third quarter due to lightning, Kentucky ruled winner

Saturday night’s Kentucky and Southern Miss game had to deal with several different delays due to lightning and thunderstorms. There were a number of different delays, but ultimately play began, and continued without interruption until the third quarter. But with weather being problematic yet again, there was another lightning delay with 9:56 remaining in the third quarter. That delay lasted a few minutes before officials came together, officially called the game, and ruled play suspended.

Kentucky was up 31-0 at that point in the game, and the Wildcats were officially ruled the winner, according to Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio. The game will be officially counted as a victory and all stats and records will count for Saturday night.

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The SEC also released a statement on the game.

📢 | Statement regarding @UKFootball – Southern Miss Football game:#SECFB pic.twitter.com/ezOovKRUGU

— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) September 1, 2024

“By mutual agreement of the participating institutions as permitted by NCAA rules, tonight’s game between Kentucky and Southern Mississippi has been terminated and is considered a complete game with a final score of 31-0 in favor of Kentucky. All statistics in the game are considered final and complete.”

Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff got his first taste of action as a Wildcat. And he looked pretty solid, with some exciting runs, plowing into defenders in the open field, and nice some nice throws at times. He’s certainly got a few things he can clean up as a passer, but Vandagriff completed 12 of 18 of his passes for 169 yards, while tossing in three touchdowns with one interception.

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The Wildcat offense looked exciting with him at the trigger on Saturday night, and the explosiveness of their receiving corps was on fine display. Ja’Mori Maclin made some impressive cuts and jukes in the open field, hauling in two catches for 66 yards. It was easy to see why Wildcat fans were so excited for his debut in a UK uniform and he didn’t disappoint. Dane Key hauled in three catches for 60 yards. And Kentucky superstar wideout Barion Brown also had four catches for 28 yards and two touchdowns.

Kentucky tight end Jordan Dingle also hauled in a touchdown catch on Saturday night, the fourth one of his career so far.

Southern Miss quarterback Tate Rodemaker threw for 126 yards for the Golden Eagles, along with two costly interceptions. One of those ended their best chance at scoring when Kentucky’s JQ Hardaway picked off a pass that was tipped in the end zone with 13:37 remaining in the first half.