Southeast Roundup : Alabama Defense Holds Off Kentucky

Alabama’s defense didn’t want to be embarrassed again by Kentucky, and it wasn’t.

Crimson Tide defenders turned in 12 tackles behind the line for losses of 64 yards and held Kentucky to 125 net yards in a 15-3 victory at Tuscaloosa, Ala. Alabama gave up four yards rushing and 111 passing.

Alabama, ranked No. 15, rallied last season to beat Kentucky, 31-27, but Coach Bill Curry said his defense was manhandled that day “and was determined not to allow that to happen again.”

“Time after time, the defense came in under tremendous circumstances and held Kentucky,” Curry said. “It may have been the best defense since I have been at Alabama.”

Philip Doyle kicked three field goals and Martin Houston scored from the one as Alabama continued its mastery over Kentucky. Alabama (2-0) holds a 30-1-1 series lead over the Wildcats (2-1), with Kentucky’s victory coming in 1922.

Doyle kicked field goals of 22 and 35 yards before Kentucky’s Ken Willis kicked one from 30 yards to make it 6-3 at halftime.

Doyle got a 23-yard field goal in the third quarter, and Houston, a second-string fullback, capped a 69-yard drive by going over the middle for the touchdown in the fourth quarter. The conversion failed.

Alabama sacked Kentucky’s Freddie Maggard seven times.

Alabama starting quarterback Jeff Dunn hurt his knee on a keeper, and reports indicated he will be out four to six weeks.

His replacement, Gary Hollingsworth, a senior with almost no playing experience, came in to direct the touchdown drive, completing passes of 20 and nine yards.

Kentucky Coach Jerry Claiborne said the Wildcats “couldn’t get anything generated offensively. They put pressure on the passer and we couldn’t get our passes off. Alabama put a lot of pressure on us on third down.”

Claiborne said his defense “was one bright spot.” Kentucky kept Alabama out of the end zone until the fourth quarter, prompting Curry to say: “We must improve on our goal line offense.”

Siran Stacy, who ran for 169 yards and four touchdowns in Alabama’s 35-7 victory over Memphis State a week earlier, got only 9 yards in 11 carries against the Wildcats.

Murry Hill led Alabama’s runners with 66 yards in 22 carries.

Florida 38, Memphis State 13--Emmitt Smith rushed for 182 yards and two touchdowns as the Gators won at Memphis, Tenn.

Smith scored on runs of one and 16 yards as the Gators improved to 2-1. Memphis dropped to 0-2.

Quarterback Kyle Morris also added to the offensive attack, completing 15 of 26 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns.

Georgia 23, Mississippi St. 6--Linebackers Morris Lewis and Matt McCormick came up with turnovers that produced 10 points early in the third quarter for the Bulldogs at Athens, Ga.

Lewis recovered a fumble at the State 22 to set up Larry Ware’s three-yard touchdown run and McCormick returned an interception five yards to the Mississippi State 30-yard line to set up John Kasay’s 49-yard field goal.

The two turnovers gave Georgia (2-0 overall and 1-0 in the Southeastern Conference) a 20-6 lead.

Vanderbilt 54, Ohio 10--Quarterback John Gromos threw three touchdown passes and ran for a fourth to pace the Commodores at Nashville, Tenn.