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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Kentucky rumbles to late win over East Carolina

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Ventrell Jenkins scooped up a fumble and barreled his 285-pound frame 56 yards for the go-ahead touchdown, helping Kentucky win a program-best third straight bowl game with a 25-19 victory over East Carolina on Friday in the Liberty Bowl.

Kentucky (7-6) never led until the fourth quarter, when Myron Pryor forced a fumble with about 3 minutes left. In the scramble for the loose ball, Jenkins came up with it and rumbled down the right sideline untouched for the touchdown.

Coming off its first Conference USA championship, East Carolina jumped to a 16-3 halftime lead. Then Kentucky’s David Jones took the second-half kickoff a Liberty Bowl-record 99 yards for a touchdown.

Minutes later, quarterback Mike Hartline, starting for injured freshman Randall Cobb, gave Kentucky its lone offensive TD when he hit Kyrus Lanxter on a crossing pattern for a 19-yard touchdown that tied the game 16-all midway through the third quarter.

Hartline completed 19 of 31 passes for 204 yards.