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Woodson, Wildcats keep rolling

Sep 29, 2007 - 10:10 PM LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Ticker) -- Most of the Kentucky roster wasn't even born the last time the team started a season like this.

Andre' Woodson threw three of his five touchdown passes in the second quarter as the 14th-ranked Wildcats rolled past Florida Atlantic, 45-17, on Saturday.

Wide receiver Dicky Lyons had eight receptions for 76 yards and hauled in two of Woodson's touchdown strikes as Kentucky improved to 5-0 for the first time since 1984.

"We got to 5-0 which we needed to do and we have a short week," said Kentucky coach Rich Brooks, referring to the team's Thursday night game at South Carolina. "Obviously, it's another big SEC game for us on the road in a tough place to play. We're going to have some lack of time to prepare obviously ... We're going to have to focus and concentrate in practice."

The Wildcats, who cracked the top 25 last week for the first time since 1985, were started slowly, leading only 7-3 after one quarter. Woodson, who has 16 touchdowns to one interception this season, caught fire in the second quarter however.

The 23-year-old senior got rolling with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Steve Johnson in the early stages of the quarter.

"I have to commend (Woodson) every game and tell him thanks for calling the blitzes," center Eric Scott said. "He sees it and that puts us in better positions to see the ball. He has really grown as a man and as a leader."

Woodson hooked up with Lyons on a 20-yard touchdown pass with 3:39 to play in the half and, 66 seconds later, Keenan Burton hauled in a 34-yard score to forge a 28-10 lead heading into halftime.

"(Woodson) was just on today," Lyons said. "He made calls and checks and did a good job of spreading the ball around. We're all getting better, and he's the same, just maturing as an athlete. He continues to improve and learn from his mistakes."

Burton finished with five receptions for 100 yards in a balancing passing attack that saw nine players record receptions.

Woodson, whose fifth touchdown pass was a 9-yard strike to John Conner in the third quarter, finished 26-of-33 for 301 yards and is beginning to creep into the Heisman Trophy conversation.

"It's a big award, but it shouldn't be a concern right now," Woodson said. "It's an award that reflects on the team, but we need to focus on our goal of making it to a BCS Bowl. That's what our focus should be and not about other awards."

Woodson's only mistake came in the third quarter when he threw his first interception of the season.

The miscue ended his NCAA record for consecutive passes without an interception at 325. He broke the previous record of 271 (Trent Dilfer, 1993) during last Saturday's victory at Arkansas.

"(The record) never was a concern of mine at all," Woodson said. "The defender (Tavious Polo) just made a great play on the ball and I just came back to the sideline knowing that I got picked. I'm glad that it happened in this game and not in another game."

Brooks said he was pleased with Woodson's effort, other than the interception.

"It was foolish throw. He threw off his back foot. We won't have to have everybody talking about (the streak) anymore and he can start another one," he said. "He played really a remarkable game and moved the ball around a lot to a lot of different people. He was very productive and efficient throwing the football I thought other than the one where he threw it off his back foot."

Though the passing attack took center stage, running back Rafael Little had 110 yards on 20 carries for Kentucky, which has scored 40-plus points in five straight games.

Rusty Smith finished 16-of-26 for 198 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions for the Owls (3-2).

"They definitely look like an SEC defense," Smith said. "They were big and they were and strong and they were fast. That's what SEC is all about. They have the total package."