Our coverage from Kentucky football's 31-0 weather-shortened win over Southern Miss at Kroger Field.
- Kentucky football, behind new QB Brock Vandagriff, cruises in weather-shortened victory
Our coverage before and during the game:
LEXINGTON — Story lines abound for Kentucky football heading into Saturday's 2024 opener against Southern Miss.
Brock Vandagriff, a transfer from Georgia, will make his first-ever start as a collegian after winning the Wildcats' starting quarterback job. Bush Hamdan is in Game 1 as UK's offensive coordinator. And Kentucky coach Mark Stoops acknowledged earlier this week he hasn't forgotten the last time Southern Miss came to town: The Golden Eagles rallied from a 25-point deficit to hand the Wildcats a 44-35 loss in the 2016 opener.
Watch Kentucky football vs Southern Miss live on Fubo (free trial)
Despite all the focus on the UK offense with Hamdan and Vandagriff making their debuts Saturday, it's the defense that might make this fall a special one for the program. Led by sixth-year coordinator Brad White, the defense returns 10 starters from last season. None more important than Deone Walker, a likely first-round pick in next year's NFL draft.
After reaching a bowl every year since 2016 (though the 2021 season's Citrus Bowl appearance has been vacated due to NCAA violations), Kentucky hopes to take the next step this fall and work its way into College Football Playoff contention in the first season of the 12-team format.
That journey begins Saturday night at Kroger Field.
Kentucky vs Southern Miss score updates
FINAL: KENTUCKY 31, SOUTHERN MISS 0 (game called with 9:56 remaining in third quarter)
Kentucky vs Southern Miss game delayed. Again.
Lightning was once again detected within 8 miles of Kroger Field. As a result, both teams headed to their respective locker rooms. Kentucky leads, 31-0, at the 9:56 mark of the third quarter.
KENTUCKY 31, SOUTHERN MISS 0 (3Q, 9:56)
Brock Vandagriff is up to three TD passes on the night, this time hitting Jordan Dingle for a 5-yard score.
HALFTIME: KENTUCKY 24, SOUTHERN MISS 0
KENTUCKY 24, SOUTHERN MISS 0 (2Q, 0:31)
Brock Vandagriff and Barion Brown connect for their second TD of the night. And just like the first, it was a 12-yard pass.
KENTUCKY 17, SOUTHERN MISS 0 (2Q, 3:07)
Running back Demie Sumo-Karngbaye punches it in from the 1-yard line to cap a seven-play, 75-yard drive.
KENTUCKY 10, SOUTHERN MISS 0 (2Q, 7:45)
UK placekicker Alex Raynor's first field goal try of the 2024 season is true, as he knocks it in from 41 yards away.
KENTUCKY 7, SOUTHERN MISS 0 (1Q, 6:03)
After tossing an interception on his opening drive, Brock Vandagriff rebounds on Possession 2: He found Barion Brown in the right corner of the end zone for a 12-yard score.
Game time finally announced for delayed Kentucky vs Southern Miss contest
Kentucky and Southern Miss returned to the field at 9:40 p.m.
Per UK Athletics, the game will kick off at 10:05 p.m.
Read more here.
'SEC and NCAA protocols' being followed as Kentucky vs Southern Miss football game remains suspended
UK Athletics offered its latest update on a potential kickoff at 9:20 p.m.
"Officials and teams will re-evaluate the time the teams can retake the field for warmups at 9:35 p.m. ET,"UK Athletics posted on X."We are following SEC and NCAA protocols on next steps. We (will) provide updates after the next meeting."
Read more here.
Kentucky vs Southern Miss football remains in delay
Kickoff from Kroger Field won't occur before 9 p.m. Saturday.
"Teams and officials will reconvene at 8:50 p.m. ET and we will provide more information after that,"UK Athletics posted on X.
Read more here.
Latest on kickoff time for Kentucky vs Southern Miss football
An official start time for Saturday's game at Kroger Field is still in limbo, per UK Athletics.
Read more here.
Kentucky superstar defensive lineman Deone Walker ready to play
Arguably the best player — for either team — in tonight's game is ready to don his pads and line up.
If only Mother Nature would cooperate for Deone Walker, the Kentucky defensive lineman named to nearly every preseason All-America team imaginable heading into the 2024 campaign.
Kentucky, Southern Miss football teams return to locker room
The 8:15 kickoff time is null and void. During pregame warmups, the teams returned to the locker room after lightning strikes in the area. TheWildcatsandGolden Eaglesare tenatively scheduled to return to the field for warmups at 8:20 p.m.,per UK Athletics.
Read more here.
Kickoff time announced for Kentucky vs Southern Miss game
Saturday's contest between Kentucky and Southern Miss is tentatively slated to begin at 8:15 p.m., per UK Athletics.
Read more here.
Kentucky vs Southern Miss game delayed
Inclement weather has postponed the start of Saturday's game between Kentucky and Southern Miss at Kroger Field. A start time is still to be determined.
Read more here.
Kroger Field opens gates for Kentucky vs Southern Miss game
Fans finally were allowed into the stadium Saturday night, less than an hour before the 7:45 p.m. kickoff at Kroger Field.
Kroger Field's gates opened at approximately 6:47 p.m. The stadium had been closed to spectators because of lightning detected in the area.
Weather already affecting Kentucky vs Southern Miss game
Kickoff for tonight's game has not been pushed back from its slated 7:45 p.m start time. Not yet, anyway.
But inclement weather has played a part in other ways: Kentucky's pregame Cat Walk moved indoors because of lightning in the area. The Wildcats' team arrival also was closed to the public.
The Kroger Field gates also remain closed to spectators. When gates will open is still to be determined.
Kentucky vs Southern Miss time today
- Date:Saturday, Aug. 31
- Time:7:45 p.m.
- Location: Kroger Field
What channel is Kentucky vs Southern Miss game on today?
- TV channel:SEC Network
- Streaming: Fubo(free trial)
- Radio:UK Sports Network (840 AM in Louisvillel 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington)
Kentucky vs. Southern Miss will be broadcast nationally on SEC Network. Tom Hart and Jordan Rodgers will call the game from the booth at Kroger Field, with Cole Cubelic reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game includeFUBO,which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Kentucky vs Southern Miss history
- Series record:Kentucky leads, 3-1
- Kentucky's last win:2017 (24-17)
- Southern Miss' last win: 2016 (44-35)
Kentucky vs Southern Miss predictions
Kentucky 34, Southern Miss 10: The Golden Eagles added numerous players from power conferences via the transfer portal during the offseason. Those additions won't be nearly enough to send Kentucky to a season-opening loss, however, as coach Mark Stoops and Co. begin the 2024 campaign 1-0.
Kentucky vs Southern Miss betting odds
Game lines and odds fromBetMGMas of Saturday:
- Spread:Kentucky is a 24 ½-point favorite at home
- Over/under: 50
- Moneyline:Kentucky, -5000; Southern Miss, +1800
Kentucky vs Southern Miss injury updates
Kentucky has its share of players dealing with injuries. Presumed starting running back Chip Trayanum is out with a hand injury. A trio of UK defensive linemen (Josaih Hayes, Tavion Gadson and Darrion Henry-Young) are out indefinitely. Kentucky offensive lineman Courtland Ford also will miss an extended period of time.
Kentucky vs Southern Miss weather update
The high is 94 degrees with thunderstorms and an 92% chance of rain in the forecast.
Kentucky football 2024 schedule
- Aug. 31: Southern Miss ∣ 7:45 p.m.
- Sept. 7: South Carolina ∣ 3:30 p.m
- Sept. 14: Georgia ∣ 7:30 p.m.
- Sept. 21: Ohio ∣ 12:45 p.m.
- Sept. 28: at Ole Miss ∣ Noon
- Oct. 12: Vanderbilt
- Oct. 19: at Florida
- Oct. 26: Auburn
- Nov. 2: at Tennessee
- Nov. 16: Murray State ∣ 1:30 p.m.
- Nov. 23: at Texas
- Nov. 30: Louisville
Record: 0-0
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Southern Miss football 2024 schedule
- Aug. 31: at Kentucky
- Sept. 7: Southeastern Louisiana
- Sept. 14: USF
- Sept. 21: at Jacksonville State
- Oct. 5: Louisiana
- Oct. 12: at Louisiana Monroe
- Oct. 19: Arkansas State
- Oct. 26: at James Madison
- Nov. 9: Marshall
- Nov. 16: at Texas State
- Nov. 23: South Alabama
- Nov. 30: at Troy
Record: 0-0
Kentucky football news
- Kentucky football DC Brad White focused on goals in Lexington amid coaching carousel talk
- Kentucky football's Alex Afari carries Ghana heritage with him wherever he goes on journey
- Kentucky football, swimming programs committed NCAA rules violations
- What do Kentucky football NCAA violations mean for Mark Stoops, 2021 Governor's Cup game?
- Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops addresses NCAA violations for first time since ruling
- Nike releases Kentucky running shoe to celebrate start of college football season
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Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
