Kentucky heads into Saturday’s game against Vandy with a mostly healthy roster, but there are still a few names worth watching on the injury report.
The biggest concern for the Wildcats is linebacker Sam Greene, who is listed as doubtful. Receiver Nic Anderson is questionable, while linebacker Grant Grayton is out again for the matchup.
Will Stein said Grayton’s issue is not something he expects to linger all season. “Not expected to be a season thing, so I'm hoping over the next few weeks we can get him back."
There is some good news for Kentucky, too. Running back CJ Baxter is listed as probable and should be available after missing Saturday’s win over Oklahoma. Linebacker Tavion Wallace is also probable for the trip.
That win in Norman kept Kentucky moving forward, but Stein made clear this week that nobody in the program is treating Vandy like an easy step on the schedule. The Commodores are still winless in the SEC through four games, but Stein isn’t buying into the record as a warning sign.
“I don't think any of us in this room or this organization need to be fooled by any type of record. Last time I checked, (Vandy) embarrassed Kentucky last year and so we know what they are able to do in all three phases.”
Vandy also brings a major threat on the outside, with one of the nation’s top receivers. He ranks 11th nationally in receiving yards and remains a central piece of their offense.
With Kentucky continuing to show up in playoff projections after another win, the Wildcats know the margin for error is getting thinner. Saturday brings another test, and Kentucky will go into it mostly healthy.
In Other News...
Kentuckys Vanderbilt Plan Just Got More Complicated Before Week 8
Kentuckys preparation for Vanderbilt picked up a new wrinkle when the SEC injury report dropped ahead of Week 8, giving a clearer picture of who may and may not be available when the Wildcats try to keep their momentum rolling. The biggest note on Kentuckys side is linebacker Sam Greene, who is doubtful, while running back CJ Baxter is listed as probable, a sign the Wildcats could be leaning on their ground game as they sort through the defensive uncertainty.
Vanderbilts report brings its own set of considerations, led by starting cornerback Cayden Daniels being probable. With several other players on both sides carrying different injury designations, the final availability picture still has room to shift before kickoff, and that uncertainty leaves both staffs juggling depth, matchups and game-planning in the final stretch of the week. [Read more 🡒]
Kentuckys SEC Title Push Just Took A Brutal Hit
Kentuckys push for a 10th straight Southeastern Conference regular-season volleyball championship took a jolt Friday night when Tennessee stormed back from two sets down to win in five. The Wildcats looked in control early, taking the first two sets with a dominant start, but the match flipped as Tennessee settled in and began to dictate the final stretches in Knoxville.
Brooklyn DeLeye still delivered a big night for Kentucky with 25 kills, but the Wildcats could not hold off Tennessees balanced attack once the Volunteers found their rhythm. Kentuckys level dropped in the last three sets, and a match that had seemed headed toward a routine road win instead turned into a costly setback in the SEC race. [Read more 🡒]
Kenny Minchey Still Has One Loyal Voice In Vanderbilt Territory
A familiar name in the Kentucky-Vanderbilt buildup is pulling double duty emotionally this week. Justin Geisinger, a former Vanderbilt player now coaching high school football, has ties to both programs that make Saturdays matchup feel a little more personal than usual. He once coached Kentucky starting quarterback Kenny Minchey at the high school level, and he also shared a college locker room with Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea.
Geisinger has made no secret of the pull in both directions, which is part of what gives this game a more human layer beyond the SEC standings. On one side is the quarterback he helped develop, and on the other is a former teammate now leading the opposing sideline. For Kentucky fans tracking Mincheys rise, Geisinger is a reminder that these connections run deep, even when the scoreboard is about to force a choice. [Read more 🡒]