WATCH: Kentucky's defense intercepts two Southern Miss passes on the first two drives

Kentucky‘s defense allowed Southern Miss to move the ball early in the season opener in Lexington. The Golden Eagles converted all three third-down tries in the first quarter, including a 3rd-and-18 that went for 34 yards. Through one quarter, the Golden Eagles averaged 7.6 yards per play with nearly 100 yards of offense.

Still, Kentucky’s defense kept Southern Miss off the board by forcing two turnovers on the first two drives, both tipped-ball interceptions. First, Jamon Dumas-Johnson, the prized linebacker transfer from Georgia, made his first significant impact as a Wildcat by intercepting Tate Rodemaker‘s second pass attempt of the game. A former First Team All-American, Dumas-Johnson deflected the pass to himself and secured the early-game takeaway.

That's @JamonJohnsonn's BALL 😤 pic.twitter.com/fJ6sS5k0tJ

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 1, 2024

On the next Southern Miss possession, Rodemaker drove the Golden Eagles into scoring territory, only for Kentucky’s defense to strike again. This time, D’Eryck Jackson got his hand on a pass over the middle inside UK’s five-yard-line, only for JQ Hardaway to come down with the ball behind him in the end zone.

.@Jhardaway_24 laying out for the INT pic.twitter.com/Xix15SONrk

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 1, 2024

The Wildcats held Southern Miss to back-to-back three-and-outs on the next two drives. Brad White’s unit hasn’t been perfect, but they’re doing enough to keep a 0 on the board midway through the second quarter.

Go Cats.