Kentucky running back’s too-early TD celebration vs. Ole Miss ends in disaster

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Kentucky was so close to immediately responding to Ole Miss’ opening-drive touchdown Saturday with an incredible touchdown play of its own. But that play, and the rest of the Wildcats’ first possession, instead ended in total disaster.

On 1st-and-10 from Kentucky’s 25-yard line, Wildcats senior running back Asim Rose was handed the ball and had room to work with on his left. He capitalized on his space and speed, and he blew by Ole Miss’ defense down the field.

But Rose seemingly thought he had the all defenders completely beat, and he started to celebrate what could have been his first touchdown of the season a little too early. He flashed a peace sign and even glanced behind him for a split second — a view which should have made him realize he was in danger of being caught.

And when he was less than 10 yards from the goal line and pointing at the end zone, he went down. It was a 72-yard gain instead of a 75-yard touchdown.

Somehow, the situation actually got worse.

Gallery: PREVIEW: Florida Gators open unorthodox 2020 SEC-only season at Ole Miss (SMG)

On 1st-and-goal on Ole Miss’ 3-yard line, Rose picked up two. And on second down, he fumbled the ball on the goal line, and defensive end Ryder Anderson recovered it. Luckily for Rose and Kentucky, Ole Miss didn’t score on the subsequent possession, but the Wildcats surely envisioned their opening drive ending differently.

But, as it turns out, Rose wasn’t the only one to make that mistake Saturday. Against Army, Abilene Christian’s Lionell McConnell made the exact same blunder — peace sign and everything — while his team was down by double-digits:

The moral of the stories here is never celebrate scoring before you’ve actually scored.

ESPN has the full video of Rose’s huge run and subsequent gaffe.

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