Kentucky walked out of Neyland Stadium with a 34-6 loss to Tennessee, and the scoreboard told the story of a game that was still hanging around until the fourth quarter. The Wildcats were down just 13-6 heading into the final period before the Volunteers blew it open with 21 points in the last stanza.
The defeat leaves Kentucky at 7-2 overall and 5-2 in the SEC, with Florida coming to Lexington next weekend in a game that now looms large. Kentucky will host the Gators on Saturday, with kickoff set for sometime between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. after the exact time is finalized, and the game will air on ESPN.
There were a few bright spots buried in the loss. Kentucky won the “middle eight” 3-0 after a field goal with nine seconds left in the first half, and the Wildcats now own a 75-27 edge in the “middle eight” this season.
The tight ends were productive again, combining for seven catches and 83 yards. That group has now piled up 64 receptions this season, the most by Kentucky tight ends through the first nine games of a season since they had 73 in the first nine games of 2000.
Kenny Minchey completed 26 of 34 passes for 224 yards, and his 76.5 completion percentage was the best ever by a Kentucky quarterback against Tennessee in school history among passers with at least 20 attempts. His interception in the first quarter snapped a stretch of 242 passes to open the season with just one pick, which set a Kentucky record for the most pass attempts by a UK quarterback to begin a season with only one interception. The run also ended as the second-longest streak of consecutive passing attempts without an interception in UK history at 210, behind Andre’ Woodson’s 325.
CJ Baxter led Kentucky on the ground with 11 carries for 54 yards.
Willie Rodriguez turned in another strong outing, catching six passes for 81 yards. That was the most catches by a UK tight end in Knoxville since Jacob Tamme had seven for 120 yards in 2007.
Rodriguez also became the first Kentucky tight end in school history to post at least five receptions in five straight SEC games. He now has 45 catches this season, the most by a UK tight end through the first nine games since James Whalen in 1999, and he has caught a pass in 21 of 22 games and in all nine games this year.
Kenny Darby added seven catches for 69 yards. He now has 45 receptions on the season, the most by a Kentucky freshman through his first nine games, and he leads the Wildcats with 576 receiving yards. Darby has also caught at least one pass in every game this season.
On defense, S Ty Bryant paced Kentucky with nine tackles. DE Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace finished with five tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack, and he has logged at least one havoc play in every game this season.
K Adam Zouagui was perfect on both field goal tries, connecting from 45 and 23 yards.
In Other News...
Kentucky Fans Are Livid Over Josh Heupels Late Message
Tennessees 34-6 win over Kentucky was already lopsided long before the final whistle, with the Volunteers forcing three turnovers and controlling the game on both sides of the ball. Both teams still sit at 7-2 with three games left in the regular season, but this one left Kentucky fans stewing over more than the scoreboard.
Josh Heupels decision to keep the offense on the field late and add another touchdown instead of taking a knee became the flashpoint after the game, drawing plenty of anger from the Kentucky side. In a rivalry game that was already one-sided, the late score only added to the frustration and gave Wildcats fans one more thing to talk about as the season moves on. [Read more 🡒]
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 🡒]