Saturday, September 7, 2013 12:00 PM (ET)

Recap: Kentucky 41, Miami (OH) 7

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 7, 2013

Kentucky 41, Miami (OH) 7: Maxwell Smith threw for 310 yards and three scores in a dominant outing against the Redhawks to help Mark Stoops capture his first victory as Wildcats head coach in the team's home opener.

Jalen Whitlow, who got the start over Smith last week against Western Kentucky, saw extensive playing time under center and rushed for a score on the opening drive for Kentucky (1-1). Javess Blue added 114 yards receiving on six catches and an 88-yard score.

Austin Boucher was pressured by an aggressive Stoops defense and completed just four of his 14 passing attempts for Miami (0-2). The Redhawks' ground game was unable to get anything going either and averaged 2.3 yards per carry.

Kentucky's air-raid offense wasted little time getting down the field as the combination of Smith and Whitlow led the Wildcats on five scoring drives in the first half that took only 8:23. Miami capitalized on Kentucky's lone mistake of the game, as Chris Wade returned a fumbled punt return by Daryl Collins six yards for a score.

Kentucky's defense allowed 122 yards and no scoring plays to Miami's offense, and Za'Darius Smith led the charge with three sacks. The Wildcats have now won eight consecutive home openers since 2006.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Kentucky set a school record for points in the first quarter with 24. ... Smith's 88-yard touchdown pass to Blue is the fourth-longest offensive play in school history. ... Kentucky junior Demarco Robinson injured his ankle on the opening kickoff and did not return.
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