History was made on Saturday night in Columbia as Kentucky running back Kavosiey Smoke eclipsed the 1,000 yard rushing mark, becoming the 41st player in program history to reach the accomplishment. Smoke had nine carries for 50 yards and put the ball in the end zone for Kentucky’s lone touchdown in the 16-10 road victory over South Carolina.
Junior Kavosiey Smoke carried ball nine times for 50 yards and UK’s only touchdown.
— Vaughts' Views (@vaughtsviews) September 26, 2021
Scored on 15-yard run on opening possession, his first TD of season and ninth of his career.
He has 1,032 career rushing yards, becoming the 41st player in school history with 1,000.
On those nine carries (and a catch), Smoke was able to manage not putting the ball on the ground. If you’ve watched even just a handful of snaps this season, you’ll know ball security is an incredible point of interest for the Wildcats as they once again put four on the ground against South Carolina and coughed two of the four fumbles up for turnovers.
1️⃣K career rushing yards for @_KS20_ ❄️ #ForTheTeam pic.twitter.com/jyCCvn7ull
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 25, 2021
While Smoke’s running mate Chris Rodriguez still managed to carry the ball 26 times for 144 yards, it shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone if Smoke begins to take a few extra carries each game to spell Rodriguez but also take care of the football. Smoke has just one fumble this season (week one) while Rodriguez has coughed up the football three times.
Kentucky will begin one of their toughest three-game stretches in program history on Saturday when they host Florida, LSU next weekend and then travel to Georgia on October 16th. Needless to say, Kentucky needs to crack down on their ball security issue this week and Smoke being handed a few more carries may be the best immediate fix.
Tweet of the Day
Adele would not seem like an obvious choice but it works. pic.twitter.com/Lvbz4oUx8G
— Marc Bertrand (@Marc_Bertrand) September 27, 2021
The most intense regular season game of the last two decades?
Headlines
Skyy Clark way ahead of schedule rehabbing from ACL injury - Vaught’s Views
Excellent news.
Kentucky remains unbeaten with 16-10 win at South Carolina - Cats Illustrated
Wildcats will have much larger test this weekend.
Ravens’ Tucker wins game against Detroit Lions on record 66-yard FG - ESPN
What a boot.
UK commit Chris Livingston a do-it-all player - Vaught’s Views
Next fall is going to be _____?
Giants owner John Mara booed as loss to ATL drops NYG to 0-3 - ESPN
Yikes.
DeAndre Square: “We were ready for the moment.” - Kentucky Sports Radio
Defense and special teams showed up on Saturday.
Andy Reid taken to hospital for dehydration after Sunday’s loss - ESPN
Hope the Chiefs coach is okay.
Ruffolo’s historic consistency saved Kentucky on Saturday - Kentucky Sports Radio
Game MVP.
USA reclaims Ryder Cup, hands Europe its worst loss in 19-9 victory - ESPN
Not many saw this one coming.
Rams slam Brady, Buccaneers in battle of NFL unbeatens - USA Today
Pray for the Patriots next Sunday night.