Last night, the University of Kentucky Wildcats kicked off their 2007 football season in style by dispatching their Division 1AA (actually, it's now the Football Championship Subdivision, which is one of the most unfortunately named sports designations. EVER.) foe, a feat, as the world now knows, the 5th-ranked Michigan Wolverines could not match.

Instead of struggling with their opening season slaughter lamb; the Eastern Kentucky Colonels, a neighboring school that's only 30 minutes from Lexington, the Cats had no problems putting a convincing 50 - 10 victory on the board. In a game that featured a great ground attack and steady play from preseason AA quarterback Andre Woodson, the Cats showed no signs of having a hangover from their new-found 2006 successes, a designation many UK football seasons don't get.

Woodson threw for 3 touchdowns while going an efficient 20-29 for 250 yards and no picks. The lone “dark spot” on last night performance was an under-throw of a wide-open Steven Johnson (the same Steve Johnson who had an interesting adventure earlier this week). Had Woodson made the throw, he would’ve had 4 touchdown passes.

The Cats passing attack kicked off the season with a #### with Woodson completing a 51-yard touchdown pass to Dicky Lyons, Jr on their first offensive play from scrimmage. From there, the rout was on… unlike our friends in Ann-Arbor.

However, the passing attack was not the star of yesterday’s beatdown. No, the game ball goes to the Cats under-appreciated three-headed running attack that features Rafael Little, Tony Dixon and Alfonso Smith, a set of weapons UK fans are not used to seeing. The 3 Amigos combined for 266 and 4 touchdowns.

Leading the attack was Rafael Little, who had 12 carries for 135 yards and a TD. His lone mistake was muffing a punt that led to EKU’s only touchdown. Dixon proved to be a great counter-punch to Little by providing 9 carries for 77 and 2 TDs. Closing out the rushing onslaught was Smith who had 7 carries for 53 yards and yet another TD.

Smith also had a receiving touchdown; indicating to the rest of the SEC that UK’s offensive attack isn’t just Woodson and his receivers. If you don’t pay attention to our running game, it’s gonna getcha. :)

In yet another bright spot, the defense showed up, forced some 3-and-outs and actually played like it belonged in the D1 conversation (not to be outdone by the FCS, D1 is now called the Football Bowl Subdivision, making my above declaration incorrect. This is the stupidest title for a sports designation...). Sophomore Micah Johnson led the attack with 7 tackles and a pass deflection that led to an interception.

All-in-all, the EKU gamed served as a good starting point for the 2007 season that sees UK play a brutal schedule. The season gets in gear in two weeks when the explosive Louisville Cardinals and Brian Brohm come to town for their annual shoot-out; an affair the Cards have had the upper-hand in as of late. /understatement

However, if the Cats get caught looking ahead to the Card game, they’ll get smacked in the mouth by their next opponent, Kent State — the same Kent State that went into Ames, Iowa and smacked Iowa State in the mouth. Next week’s game against the Golden Flashes kicks off at 6pm EST. Make sure you get to Commonwealth early for your tailgating activities.

Keenan Burton Watch
Number 19 was playing on a non-100% leg because of a practice scrape/bruise and he still had a productive game. His line: 5 catches for 49 yards and a TD. With Saturday’s haul, Keenan is now one catch away from tying Derek Homer for fourth on UK’s all-time receiving list. He’s also needs 60 yards for 3rd place on UK’s career receiving yardage list. Looks like 2007 will be the season Keenan re-writes a great deal of UK’s receiving record book.

WTF People?
What the hell is going on with Lones Seiber, UK’s place-kicker? He MISSED an extra-point, while having another one BLOCKED. Performances like these can cost teams in close games. He has to do better or it’s the sidelines for Lones.

In brighter news, Sieber tied his career long FG make by hitting a 48 yarder in the first quarter. This makes his extra-point performance all the more frustrating. Thankfully it didn’t come back to haunt UK like Michigan’s place-kicking did against Appalachian State (who is HOT, HOT, HOT... make sure you watch the video). I just hope he got that stuff out of his system because if he didn’t, Coach Brooks will have a decision to make, and quickly.

This was a good start Cats. Keep it up.

Until next time, GBB!