For one one half at least, this looked like your dad’s Kentucky football team.

Then, just like that, it looked like Mark Stoops’ Kentucky football team.

Spirals zipping through the evening air, Kentucky rolled to a 35-10 advantage before Southern Miss erased that deficit and created one for the Wildcats en route to a stunning 44-35 upset Saturday night at Commonwealth Stadium.

Kentucky quarterback Drew Barker, who had to battle this past offseason just to win the job, played like a poised veteran early. He threw for 287 yards and four touchdowns — both career highs — in the first half alone. But he helped contribute to Southern Miss’ second-half comeback, fumbling once and throwing an interception in a wild third quarter. Kentucky’s night ended when Barker was sacked and lost another fumble.

It was that kind of night for the Wildcats. It’s been that kind of ride for Stoops.

What it means: Big picture, it means all of that offseason talk about finishing was just that. Kentucky jumped to a similar lead last season against Louisville, but Southern Miss isn’t Louisville. Kentucky doesn’t have much margin for error in its quest to make a bowl game for the first time under Stoops, and whatever amount existed was eliminated Saturday night.

What I liked: The first half. The precise passing game. Kentucky rewrote the SEC record book for passing under Hal Mumme. This wasn’t that, but it was a huge confidence booster for Barker, who struggled last year as a redshirt freshman.

Barker’s 53-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Johnson looked a lot like his spring game catch-and-run TD to Ryan Timmons.

What I didn’t like: The third quarter. We know Kentucky starts fast. It’s struggled to finish each of the past two years. Saturday, it fell behind 7-0 but scored 28 consecutive points — only to watch Southern Miss score 34 consecutive points, including 21 in the decisive third quarter.

Kentucky’s first four possessions of the second half looked like this: fumble, punt, interception, punt.

Who’s the man: There aren’t many silver linings in a loss like this. Barker is an obvious choice, but credit Kentucky’s defense, too, at least early. J.D. Harmon picked off two passes, one of which led to a touchdown. Blake McClain also had an interception that led to a Kentucky touchdown.

Key plays: Any one of Barker’s four touchdown passes qualify, but the biggest was the 53-yard strike to Johnson, which came two plays after McClain’s pick. That pushed Kentucky’s lead to 28-7. Southern Miss’ comeback was more methodical.

What’s next: Kentucky (0-1) travels to Florida next week, trying to end a 29-game losing streak to the Gators.