After forcing only eight fumbles all of last season, Kentucky forced three on Saturday at Southern Miss and those were the difference.
The Cats, who avenged last season’s loss to the Golden Eagles, scored twice off Southern Miss miscues and won 24-17 at M.M. Roberts Stadium.
While the offense struggled to find any rhythm and flow, the Kentucky defense did its share, including two forced fumbles by safety Darius West, including one that Denzil Ware returned for a 20-yard score in the third quarter. It was the junior linebacker’s first career touchdown.
Southern Miss (0-1), which struggled with turnovers last season coughing it up 32 times, including 16 fumbles, continued that trend into the new season.