The Kentucky Wildcats couldn’t catch a break in the first quarter of their matchup with EKU.
It began with Benny Snell leaving the game with a rib injury. Then, after UK’s defense got a stop on EKU’s first possession, an illegal leaping penalty by Eli Brown on the punt gave the Colonels of a fresh set of downs, which they converted into a touchdown to go up 7-3.
UK’s next possession got off to a promising start thanks to a big run down the sideline, which included a decleater by Lynn Bowden. However, the referees would review the play and rule that Bowden committed a targeting foul, which led to him being ejected for the remainder of the game.
Nice scramble by Stephen Johnson and big time decleater by Lynn Bowden. pic.twitter.com/JGIzC9NS85
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) September 9, 2017
Targeting? Let's just shut the game down. pic.twitter.com/aLYA75Umg8
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) September 9, 2017
Kentucky's Lynn Bowden ejected for Targeting
— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) September 9, 2017
What's your thoughts? pic.twitter.com/qyjZibyGRc
If that’s targeting, football is really in danger of becoming flag football.
Even so, UK shot itself in the foot left and right in the first quarter, which continued on that same drive. The Cats would still drive deep into EKU territory, but on a 4th-and-short Wildcat run, a high snap by backup center Nick Haynes led to Snell getting stopped for a turnover on downs.
Lynn Bowden tweets "My guys got this watch then from the inside #BBN" pic.twitter.com/Jd9MgSJOQg
— KSTV (@KSTV_Sports) September 9, 2017