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Kentucky Football: Keys To Victory Against Southern Miss

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 21, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Stanley Boom Williams (18) celebrates with wide receiver Dorian Baker (2) during the game against the Charlotte 49ers in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Stanley Boom Williams (18) celebrates with wide receiver Dorian Baker (2) during the game against the Charlotte 49ers in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 21, 2015; Hattiesburg, MS, USA; Southern Miss Golden Eagles running back Ito Smith (25) carries the ball against the Old Dominion Monarchs in the second half at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Southern Miss won, 56-31. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Hattiesburg, MS, USA; Southern Miss Golden Eagles running back Ito Smith (25) carries the ball against the Old Dominion Monarchs in the second half at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Southern Miss won, 56-31. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Defend The Run

The Southern Miss Golden Eagles are going to make it a point to prevent the Kentucky Wildcats from establishing the run. On the opposite side of the ball, the Golden Eagles will look to establish the run themselves.

Southern Miss was one of the most explosive rushing teams in the country in 2015, which creates obvious pressure for Kentucky to stop it in Week 1.

Southern Miss finished the 2015 season at No. 26 in the country in yards per carry. It had two 1,000-yard rushers in Jalen Richard and Ito Smith, and the latter will return to Southern Miss for the 2016 season.

If the Wildcats are going to defeat the Golden Eagles, a top priority should be containing and limiting Smith’s touches and effectiveness.

Smith ran for 1,128 yards and 10 touchdowns on an average of 6.6 yards per carry. He also recorded 49 receptions for 515 yards and three touchdowns, which adds up to 1,643 total yards and 13 touchdowns from scrimmage.

Smith ran for at least 100 yards in five of Southern Miss’ final eight games in 2015. Watch out for him.

Next: Establishing It Early

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