Lexington, KY (Sports Network) - Maxwell Smith erupted for a career-high 354 passing yards and four touchdowns as he guided the Kentucky Wildcats to a convincing 47-14 win over the Kent State Golden Flashes in non-conference play at Commonwealth Stadium.
Smith completed 30-of-39 passing and was sacked only once as the Wildcats (1-1) rebounded from their season-opening loss to nationally-ranked Louisville. Aaron Boyd caught 11 passes for 100 yards and a score and Raymond Sanders accounted for 115 yards and a TD on 13 rushing attempts for the hosts as well.
The Golden Flashes (1-1) were paced by Spencer Keith who converted 28-of-43 passes for 227 yards, but he was sacked three times in the losing effort.
KSU actually scored the first points of the night as Dri Archer capped a five- play, 72-yard drive with a 47-yard TD run late in the first quarter.
From there the game belonged to the Wildcats as they ripped off 17 straight points, beginning with a 14-yard TD pass from Smith to Boyd early in the second frame. Later in the period Sanders streaked 67 yards to the end zone and kicker Craig McIntosh knocked through a 47-yard field goal as time expired in the half to give Kentucky a 17-7 edge at the break.
In the third quarter the Golden Flashes responded with a 26-yard TD run by Trayion Durham on the first possession, cutting the deficit to just three points at 17-14.
Kentucky then went on the attack again, generating 30 unanswered points, 16 in the third quarter. Smith registered a touchdown pass of 18 yards to Gene McCaskill, the Wildcats logged a team safety and Jonathan George delivered a 38-yard TD run to make the score 33-14 heading into the fourth frame.
Smith tossed TD passes to La'Rod King and DeMarcus Sweat of 11 and 56 yards, respectively, to finish off Kent State rather easily.
The Golden Flashes converted 9-of-18 on third down and controlled the ball for close to 36 minutes on the night, but the defense for the visitors allowed a hefty 539 yards to the Wildcats.
Game Notes
