FINAL from Hattiesburg: Kentucky 24, Southern Miss 17.

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 Jason Munz‏Verified account @munzly 15h15 hours ago

BREAKING: Keon Howard to start at quarterback for Southern Miss vs. Kentucky Saturday http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/sports/college/southern-miss/blitz/2017/09/01/keon-howard-start-quarterback-southern-miss-vs-kentucky/623585001/ ...

Keon Howard wasn't supposed to play last season.

The coaching staff's intention was to give him a full year to listen and observe. And learn, growing as a result. But what is it they say about best-laid plans?

Southern Miss was not afforded the luxury of taking its time to develop the former Laurel star. Instead, Howard was pressed into emergency duty when former star quarterback Nick Mullens and his backup, Parker Adamson, both suffered significant injuries against Charlotte on Nov. 5.

Now, it's Howard's turn to take the ball from the get-go. The true sophomore will start Southern Miss' season opener against Kentucky (3 p.m. Saturday at M.M. Roberts Stadium), according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation.

Howard edged teammate Kwadra Griggs in a battle that spanned the entire offseason.

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Joe Mussatto‏Verified account @joe_mussatto

When QB Stephen Johnson told his story about Tourette's, he didn't know he'd inspire kids like Mikayla and Samuel.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Mikayla Mccoy had one question for Stephen Johnson: "Why?"

Samuel Doster had more: Did people tease you? How did you outgrow them? What did you do?

Johnson doesn't like to talk about himself, but when he started to speak openly about his childhood struggles with Tourette Syndrome, he became more than a college football quarterback to a pair of 10-year-olds in different parts of the country.

Johnson was diagnosed with Tourette's when he was 8. He tried to hold the symptoms in at school — blinking too fast and hiccuping when he breathed. But when he played sports, the tics stopped. And through prayer, Johnson says Tourette's left him altogether. He hasn't had a tic since before high school. 

The unusual condition prompted the most unlikely of encounters, and now Kentucky's quarterback feels he can use his platform to help kids such as Samuel and Mikayla. They have questions.

Johnson never knew he'd be one to have the answers...

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UK and Southern Miss return from technical difficulties, as Stephen Johnson draws blood in the second quarter.

UK 7  SoMiss 0   sometime in the 2nd

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Clock is now being displayed in Hattiesburg:

UK 7  SoMiss 0  12:38

SoMiss calls a "Nuttian" time out on 3rd and 4

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UK 7  SoMiss 3  8:10 2nd

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UK 14  SoMiss 3  7:00 2nd

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Eagle TB could not find a hole, wrapped up by Courtney Love.

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Halftime in Hattiesburg

UK 14  Southern Miss 3

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Joe Mussatto‏Verified account @joe_mussatto

FINAL: Kentucky 24, Southern Miss 17.

[jbcarol]

Joe Mussatto‏Verified account @joe_mussatto

Here's how I graded Kentucky's performance yesterday.

Offense: C-minus

It was more bad than good. Seven points came on a defensive scoop and score, which means the offense scored just 17 points on 254 yards —

Offensive coordinator Eddie Gran was reluctant to let quarterback Stephen Johnson throw the ball and Gran admitted he stuck with the ineffective wildcat formation for too long.

Overall: B-minus

How can something be ugly and beautiful at the same time for Kentucky? Just ask Stoops. His Wildcats produced something along those lines Saturday.

Kentucky is 1-0 to start the season. The same couldn't be said a year ago, and that's what made Saturday a success for the Cats.