Newton makes senior debut on ESPN

Future Kentucky Wildcat Morgan Newton made his senior debut in style Saturday, leading Carmel (Ind.) High School to a 28-21 victory over state rival Cathedral in a nationally-televised game on ESPN.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound quarterback, who announced his decision to attend UK on Thursday, accounted for all four Carmel touchdowns in a come-from-behind victory. He completed 16 of 21 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns while rushing 19 times for 92 yards and two more scores despite battling severe cramps in near 100-degree heat.

Newton's 1-yard touchdown run tied the game at 21 to start the fourth quarter, and he followed that up with an 18-yard keeper for the game-winning score.

A estimated crowd of 12,000 was on hand to watch Newton lead the defending Class 5A state champions to victory. Carmel is rated the No. 22 high school team in the nation by ESPN.

Newton, who chose UK over Florida, Clemson, Illinois, Indiana and Purdue, is rated the No. 18 pro-style quarterback in the nation by Rivals.com.