Lexington, Ky – October 12, 2024 – David Leveridge
Leading up to tonight’s game both Kentucky and Vanderbilt are coming off huge wins. Kentucky defeated #7 Ranked Ole Miss Rebels in Oxford, Mississippi 20-17 in week five of the season. The win was the highest ranked road win in years and the first win in Oxford since 1977. Vanderbilt entered the week with the biggest win in their program’s history, defeating the #1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide 40-35. Vanderbilt fans stormed the field and carried the goal posts several miles throughout downtown Nashville before throwing the goal posts in the Cumberland River. Tonight’s game had generated hype as both programs tried to build on monumental victories.
Today’s game saw the Kentucky team be defeated by Vanderbilt 20-13. Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia was the best player on the field and Kentucky really had no answer to stop the talented QB. Pavia passed for two touchdowns completing 15-18 and rushed for fifty-three yards during pivotal moments of the game. Kentucky was plagued with penalties clock management and executing the play caused problems for the CATS. Kentucky committed twelve penalties totaling 106 yards that either negated a big play or kept the Vandy offensive drive alive. Although Kentucky lost the game, the CATS outgained Vanderbilt 322 to 288 in total yards and had more first downs than Vandy did 23 to 19. Dane Key, who has become Kentucky’s best wide receiver, took a step back with his play fumbling the ball with Vandy recovering and had a costly penalty that took away a big play from the earlier drive.
Rick Pitino’s return to Lexington– Following last night’s incredible Big Blue Madness the talk of the town has been the return of Former coach Rick Pitino. Coach Pitino had a moment last night when he was welcomed back to the Big Blue Nation in front of a sold-out crowd at Rupp Arena. Coach Pitino received a standing ovation and the largest applause of the night, Pitino held back the tears and referred to Kentucky as Camelot taking the microphone. Coach Pitino coached both Kentucky and Louisville and won National Championships at both schools, 1996 for Kentucky and 2013 at Louisville which was later vacated due to a scandal. During Pitino’s last few years at Louisville his program was plagued with scandals which led to the coach’s departure from the Cardinals. Pitino was an easy target to hate, and many Kentucky fans had hard feelings towards the coach, Last night the crowd welcomed Coach Pitino back with open arms and the coach was overcome with emotions with the warm welcome. Coach Pitino also appeared at tonight’s game and has been a booster of the UK Football program.
First Quarter- Kentucky received the ball on the opening drive and had success early on rushing the ball but resulted in a punt. Vandy QB Diego Pavia took over with the ball at the Vanderbilt three-yard line. During the opening drive Diego torched Kentucky with his versatility both running and passing the ball. The Kentucky defense could not stop the talented QB and Diego completed the drive with a twenty-yard passing Touchdown to AJ Newberry, the QB also rushed for fifty yards. Vandy led Kentucky 7-0. On Kentucky’s next offensive possession Kentucky had a much more productive drive and at the end of the first quarter had the ball deep in the redzone with the ball at the eleven-yard line.
Second Quarter- Kentucky opened the second quarter with a rushing Touchdown. RB Sumo- Karnabaye found the endzone with a one-yard rushing Touchdown. The Kentucky defense stepped up early in the second quarter, getting pressure on QB Pavia and forced a turnover when Line Backer D’Eryk Jackson tipped a Pavia pass and resulted in an interception. Kentucky was unable to convert on the Vanderbilt mistake and resulted in a punt. The teams each had to punt during the next few possessions. Vanderbilt completed the second quarter with another passing Touchdown from Pavia to WR Richie Hoskins. The driver completed a six play sixty-yard drive and once again the Kentucky defense could not contain QB Pavia. On the last offensive drive of the half, Kentucky had the ball and moved the chains several times during the drive, until Key caught the ball took a few steps before fumbling the ball, and the ball was recovered by Vandy. The Play was a huge momentum swing during the game. At intermission Vanderbilt led Kentucky 14-7.
3rd Quarter- in the 3rd Quarter Vandy added to the lead with an FG kick by Brock Taylor of forty-nine yards. The drive completed an eleven play forty-four-yard drive and was the only score of the quarter. Kentucky’s offense had success moving the ball against the Commodore defense and at one point had the ball deep in the red zone at the Vanderbilt one yard line. Consecutive false start penalties and Vanderbilt stopped the CATS on third down forced the CATS to try an FG kick. The Kick was mishandled by the snapper resulting in Kentucky trying a pass attempt and was unsuccessful on the attempt. At the end of the third quarter Vanderbilt led Kentucky 17-7.
4th Quarter- The fourth quarter saw both teams put points on the board. Vandy was the first to score in the quarter when Vandy FG kicker Brock Taylor connected with a 50-yard FG. Taylor’s second made FG of the game. The Kentucky offense finally started to make big plays and scored on a Passing Touchdown from Vandagriff to WR Key. The possession capped off a six play seventy-five-yard drive in which the CATS scored the ball quickly. On the PAT attempt Kentucky went for the two-point conversion but was unsuccessful on the attempt. On the Vanderbilt next offensive possession, the Kentucky defense stepped up getting a sack on QB Pavia on third down that forced a punt. Kroger Field become Very loud as the Crowd sensed Kentucky had the momentum and was on the verge of tying the game up. On the kickoff return Kentucky had a good return and ran the ball back to midfield. A block in the back cost the CATS and moved the ball back to the Kentucky 35-yard line. The Kentucky offense fell apart during this possession as penalties continued to move the ball further back and QB Vandagriff took a sack on third down, Kentucky faced a fourth and twenty-five with little time on the clock. Vandagriff pass attempt was picked off and with UK having no timeouts remaining Vandy defeated Kentucky 20-13.
Kentucky drops on the season to a record of three wins and three losses. Vanderbilt improved with a record of four wins and two losses. Next week, Kentucky continues SEC play travel to Gainesville Florida battling the Florida Gators in the Swamp. The game is scheduled to kickoff at 7:45 pm on the SEC Network.