Sports
Kentucky takes over SEC lead after second-half surge against Vanderbilt
The Wildcats overcame an early 10-point deficit to beat Vanderbilt 34-17 at Kroger Field and move to 5-1 in SEC play. It is Kentucky’s first solo lead in the conference this late in a season since 1950.
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky’s offense managed just 14 yards and no first downs in the opening quarter Saturday, but the Wildcats found their footing and beat Vanderbilt 34-17 at Kroger Field, moving into sole possession of first place in the SEC.
The Wildcats (7-1, 5-1 SEC) trailed 10-0 in the second quarter after Vanderbilt capped a 16-play, 95-yard drive with a touchdown. Kentucky answered with a 75-yard scoring drive finished by Kenny Minchey’s 9-yard pass to DJ Miller, then took a 14-10 halftime lead on Willie Rodriguez’s 1-yard run with 21 seconds left in the half.
Kentucky gained 146 yards in the second quarter and converted all three of its third-down attempts. After halftime, a 10-yard touchdown run by Brennen Ward on a direct-snap play extended the lead to 21-10. Vanderbilt cut the margin to 21-17 late in the third quarter, but Adam Zouagui’s field goals of 47 and 32 yards helped Kentucky pull away. Kenny Minchey added a 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats finished with 376 yards of offense, including 173 on the ground. Vanderbilt (3-5, 0-5) had 262 yards, but only 15 rushing yards. Kentucky defensive back Ty Bryant intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter, his third consecutive game with a pick.
“There are still plenty of things that we can clean up,” coach Will Stein said. “It was a really good win. This was, I thought, one of our best games.”
The victory puts Kentucky alone atop the SEC standings at 5-1, with Georgia at 4-1 and idle this weekend. It is the latest point in a season that Kentucky has held sole possession of first place since 1950, when Bear Bryant coached the Wildcats. The program has reached five SEC wins in a season only six times; its record is six conference victories in 1977.
Kentucky has an open date Oct. 31. The Wildcats return Nov. 7 at Tennessee, which is 6-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play. Kickoff in Knoxville had not been announced as of Saturday night.