LEXINGTON, Ky. — Southern Miss and Kentucky decided two long weather delays were more than enough.

The teams’ season-opener was terminated with 9:56 left in the third quarter Saturday night, following the second of two long delays. Kentucky was ahead 31-0 and was declared the winner. All statistics in the game are considered final and complete.

The game started about 2 1/2 hours after its scheduled 6:45 p.m. kickoff because of lightning in the area. The Golden Eagles and Wildcats made it through the first half and a few minutes of the third quarter before play was halted again, and eventually the game was called by mutual agreement around midnight.

Kentucky scored 17 points in the second quarter to quickly turn a close game into a 24-0 blowout. Brock Vandagriff threw two 12-yard touchdown passes to Barion Brown in the first half, and 5-yarder to Jordan Dingle in the third quarter. The game was delayed, and ultimately stopped, after the final touchdown.

Vandagriff, making his first career start, finished 12-of-18 passing for 169 yards. Demie Sumo-Karngbaye rushed eight times for 59 yards and a touchdown.

Southern Miss quarterback Tate Rodemaker was 13-for-19 passing for 126 yards. He threw two interceptions and was sacked twice. The Golden Eagles only had five rushing yards.

Dylan Lawrence had an interception on the first drive of the game and led Southern Miss’ defense with six tackles.

Southern Miss will play its home opener on Sept. 7, at 6 p.m., against Southeastern Louisiana. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.