How The Wildcats Fell Flat & Disappoints In Loss to Vandy

Kentucky can't stay on track after a bad loss to Vanderbilt. Kroger field was bumping Saturday night in the bluegrass. Until it wasn't. The Cats played host to the Vanderbilt Commodores.

They were coming off their biggest win in program history, beating #1 Alabama the week prior. This was a letdown spot for Vandy coming off such an emotional and tense game. However, the Cats got the exact opposite.

After punting on their first possession, Kentucky went out on Defense and did something they don't normally do: give up a long touchdown drive. Vandy and rising star Diego Pavia drove 97 yards in just eight plays, capping it off with a 20-yard pass to AJ Newberry for the score. The Cats responded quickly six minutes later, as Demie Sumo-Karngbaye scored from one yard out.

Wildcats Can't Keep It Going

Kentucky Linebacker D'Eryk Jackson attempts to return an interception against Vanderbilt (Photo Credit: Courier Journal)

The Defenses finally woke up in the 2nd quarter. Kentucky's Defense struck first as D'Eryk Jackson picked off Pavia. It didn't take long for Vandy to get one of their own. Kentucky's Dane Key caught a pass, turned, and was hit by a perfect tackle, causing a fumble right before the half. Diego Pavia found Richie Hoskins for an 18-yard score, giving Vandy a 14-7 lead going into the half.

The second half consisted of many long drives by both teams. Pavia and company came out and took an 11-play drive down for a field goal to extend the lead. Kentucky. Needing points, Kentucky drove down the field into short-field goal range. Chaos ensued. The Cats holder fumbled the snap and threw a ball into a crowd of Commodores, leading to an interception by De'Ricky Wright.

In the 4th, Vandy could muster a field goal on their next drive. Redeeming himself for an earlier fumble, Key caught a 22-yard strike from Brock Vandergriff for a touchdown. Key finished with eight catches for 83 yards and a score.

On the extra point, the Cats struggled with the snap again, forcing another attempt by the holder to salvage the play. Trailing 20-13, the Cats' Defense got their needed stop. With under 2 minutes left, Vandy tried to tie the game, but on 4th & 21, they failed to convert, ending the game.

End Of My Wildcat Rant

This was an unexpected loss for Kentucky; they fell to 3-3 on the year. Just two weeks after beating Ole Miss, Kentucky fell short of expectations. Will the win in Oxford allow Mark Stoops to keep his job? Who knows, but he probably shouldn't.

Kentucky has hit its ceiling under Stoops, and if they want to take the next step and be playoff contenders, they need a coach who can take them there. Next up for the Cats is a visit to the Swamp to meet Dj Lagway and the Florida Gators

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