Some Kentucky fans were furious with Josh Heupel after Tennessee’s 34-6 blowout of the No. 6 Wildcats on Saturday night, and the flashpoint came on the Vols’ final touchdown.
With Tennessee already in complete control late, Heupel chose not to simply run out the clock. Instead, DeSean Bishop powered into the end zone to stretch the lead from 27-6 to 34-6 with a little more than a minute left.
That decision set off a wave of criticism from Kentucky fans, who took to social media to call the move “classless” and “Bush league.” One fan wrote, “They could have taken a knee.
They did not take the knee.
WOW.
Classless football. Classless football.
Wow. Wow. Wow.
Upsetting, I expect more out of such a classy group of people.”
Another posted, “You guys are classless losers for scoring a TD up 21 with 1 min to go vs a team that shouldve never been T10 to begin with. Congrats on the short teem gratification. Youd get popped by any real program”
A third said, “Real classy scoring that last TD by fat duck heupel”
And another added, “Bush league move by Heupel. TN always gonna TN.”
The late score was the loudest moment in a game Tennessee controlled from start to finish. The Vols’ defense forced three turnovers, Kentucky never reached the end zone, and the Wildcats were shut out in the second half. Kentucky finished 6-of-16 on third and fourth down, even though it held the ball for 35:17 to Tennessee’s 24:43.
The result leaves both teams at 7-2 with three games left in the regular season. Tennessee is expected to land inside the top 10 when the College Football Playoff rankings come out Tuesday.
In Other News...
Kentucky Fans Have Every Right To Be Furious After Tennessee Loss
Kentuckys trip to Neyland Stadium ended with a loss to Tennessee, but the frustration around this one goes well beyond the final score. The Wildcats had plenty of reasons to feel they were on the wrong end of a game that turned on a few pivotal moments, especially with two officiating decisions drawing immediate attention as the kind that can swing field position, momentum and maybe more.
One came near halftime, when a potential defensive pass interference call against Tennessee went unmade, and another arrived in the third quarter on an offsides look involving Qua Moss that also went uncalled. With three games still left, Kentucky can still keep its season alive and even put itself in position for a College Football Playoff push if it runs the table, but the sting from this one is going to linger until the next chance to get back on track. [Read more 🡒]
Kentuckys Playoff Push Took A Brutal Hit In Knoxville
Kentuckys trip to Knoxville was supposed to be another step in a College Football Playoff push, but it turned into a night of self-inflicted damage at Neyland Stadium. The Wildcats controlled the clock and outgained Tennessee, yet the scoreboard told a far harsher story in a 34-6 loss that was shaped by turnovers, penalties and a string of missed chances.
Three giveaways loomed over the defeat, and Kentucky never found a way to turn its edge in possession into points when it mattered. The loss dropped the Wildcats to 7-2 and left their playoff hopes in a far more precarious spot, with little margin left for error as the season moves into its final stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Will Stein Calls Out What Doomed Kentucky Against Tennessee
Kentuckys 34-6 loss to Tennessee left Will Stein with a familiar postgame checklist: too many turnovers, too many penalties and too many self-inflicted mistakes. The Wildcats never found much rhythm against the Volunteers, and quarterback Kenny Minchey was under constant heat as Tennessees pressure helped force the kind of breakdowns that can bury an offense before it gets started.
Stein made clear the focus now is on turning the film into a lesson rather than carrying the frustration forward. With Florida next on the schedule, Kentucky has to clean up the details quickly, because the margin for error in the SEC is already thin and a performance like this leaves little room to hide. [Read more 🡒]