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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; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Stanley Boom Williams (18) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Charlotte 49ers in the second hafl at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Stanley Boom Williams (18) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Charlotte 49ers in the second hafl at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Establish The Run

If there’s one thing that the Kentucky Wildcats do well, it’s run the football. Stanley Boom Williams and Jojo Kemp are two of the most dynamic running backs in the country, and both are unselfish enough to split carries.

According to Jason Munz of The Hattiesburg American, senior Southern Miss linebacker C.J. Perry acknowledged that the Golden Eagles’ focus will be on stopping the run.

"“It starts up front with our defensive line,” he said. “But it’s about the whole front seven being committed to stop the run. That will be a great challenge — knowing someone has a great running back and trying to stop them. But that’s something we look forward to this week.”"

With an inexperienced quarterback under center, Kentucky will need to prevent that from happening.

Williams finished the 2015 season with 855 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 121 carries. He set a school record with an average of 7.1 yards per carry and ran for at least 100 yards in five different games.

Williams also ran for 80 yards on 16 carries against the Florida Gators and 95 yards on 18 carries against the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Kemp finished 2015 with 555 yards and six touchdowns with an average of 5.7 yards per carry. He ran for 165 yards and three touchdowns against the Charlotte 49ers and had 78 yards and a score on 13 carries against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

The pressure will be on Kemp and Williams to alleviate pressure from Drew Barker and fight off a focused run defense in Week 1.

Next: Southern Miss' Star

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