Kentucky overcame another slow start Saturday, taking control in the second half to beat Central Michigan 27-13 in the Wildcats’ home opener.

Central Michigan (1-1) gained 228 yards on its first three possessions and led 13-3 with five minutes left in the first half. But the Wildcats (2-0) shut down the Chippewas from there.

Trailing 13-6 in the third quarter, Kentucky stopped the Chippewas on fourth-and-1 from the Central Michigan 34. On the next play, Kentucky tied the game on Morgan Newton’s 34-yard touchdown pass to La’Rod King.

The Wildcats, who struggled in last week’s 14-3 victory over Western Kentucky, moved ahead 20-13 on Josh Clemons’ 87-yard touchdown run with 23 seconds left in the third. Newton scored on a 1-yard bootleg with 5:35 remaining, capping a 13-play, 85-yard drive.

Kentucky played without two offensive line starters – right tackle Billy Joe Murphy and center Matt Smith. Still, Clemons rushed for 126 yards on 14 carries.

Central Michigan quarterback Ryan Radcliff completed 24-of-45 passes for 295 yards. The Chippewas finished with 383 yards of total offense.

The Wildcats host in-state rival Louisville next Saturday before opening SEC play Sept. 24 at home against No. 18 Florida. Central Michigan plays at Western Michigan in its MAC opener next Saturday, then travels to No. 17 Michigan State on Sept. 24.