Coming into Saturday the match up against Vanderbilt was about as close to a must win as there is. However the Cats got off to a very rocky start before rallying. Using a potent running game Mark Stoops’ squad ran off 35 straight points as Kentucky runs over Vanderbilt 38-14.
Kentucky Runs Over Vanderbilt 38-14
A Very Poor Start
The Commodores jumped out to an early 14-3 lead after scoring two touchdowns in 45 seconds. A 32-yard field goal by Chance Poore put the Cats up 3-0. However, Vandy answered right back with a five yard run by Ke’Shawn Vaughn to go up 7-3. It was the first time in 26 possessions Vandy had scored a touchdown. On the Wildcats’ next possession A.J. Rose fumbled and Allan George returned it 67 yards for the touchdown. After that Kentucky’s rushing game took over.
A Near Record Setting Performance
Trailing 14-3 the Wildcat offense went to work. Earlier this week we talked about how Mark Stoops’ offense had become one dimensional. However on Saturday the Cats pounded Vandy with the running game. Touchdowns by Christopher Rodriguez and Kavosiey Smoke put the Cats up 17-14 and they never trailed again.
For the game Kentucky ran for 401 yards, the most since running up 443 against Tennessee three years ago. The record for most yards in a game is 446 which came against Tennessee Tech in 1951. Rodriguez led the way with 129 yards and two scores. Quarterback Lynn Bowden ran for 110 yards and a touchdown. In addition Smoke gained 95 and Rose 67.
Two days ago Bowden was named a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award given to the most versatile player in college football.
The Paul Hornung Award finalists! #JoeReed #WanDaleRobinson #ClydeEdwarsHelaire #LynnBowdenJr @UKFootball @UVAFootball @LSUfootball @HuskerFBNation https://t.co/FWhBNFJueo pic.twitter.com/LI77O77gcs
— Paul Hornung Award (@hornungaward) November 14, 2019
The junior had his best day throwing the ball completing eight of ten passes for 104 yards and one touchdown. Since moving into the starting role five games ago Bowden has run for 723 yards. In addition he has five touchdowns and thrown for two more. How incredible has he been, check this out.
So it Bowden could average about 100 yards passing the rest of the season — he’s at 104 tonight — he’d have a shot at ending the year as Kentucky’s leading passer, rusher, receiver and returner.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) November 16, 2019
Two More Bright Spots
Following that opening touchdown drive the Wildcat defense dominated the Vanderbilt offense. After giving up 75 yards to begin the game Brad White’s unit allowed only 123 yards the rest of the way. Furthermore Kentucky has gone 14 straight games without allowing 30 or more points and 22 of the last 23.
Another bright spot was the kicking game. So far in 2019 Wildcat kickers have been less than accurate. However on Saturday Poore made all five extra points to go along with a 32 yard field goal. Hopefully for the Big Blue Nation it remains strong the rest of the year.
Moving Up The Charts
By virtue of the victory today Mark Stoops now has 41 wins as head coach at the University of Kentucky. That ties him with Blanton Collier and Jerry Claiborne for third on the all-time wins list. He needs five more wins to match Fran Curci’s total of 46.
Looking Ahead
With the win Kentucky evens its record at 5-5 on the season. Next week they go for bowl eligibility when they host Tennessee-Martin at Kroger Field. It is the final game for the Skyhawks on the season and they come in at 7-4. Jason Simpson’s team from the Ohio Valley Conference has improved their win total by five from 2018. Currently we have Kentucky playing in the Music City Bowl in our latest projections.
As for Vanderbilt they drop to 2-8 on the season and speculation grows about Derek Mason’s future. Next week the Commodores host East Tennessee State and then finish the year by travelling east to face Tennessee.
Again Kentucky runs over Vanderbilt 38-14 giving the Cats their biggest win in the series since 2001. In addition they’ve now won four straight against the Commodores. Thanks for checking out our recap here at Last Word On College Football. We’ll get you ready for the game against Tennessee-Martin next time.
