Tennessee Beats Kentucky 33-27

Cats Drop Third Straight

Following their bye week, Mark Stoops‘ Kentucky squad was looking to break a two-game losing streak. In order to do that they needed to beat a team they’ve had little success against over the years, Tennessee. Unfortunately for the Big Blue Nation, the game followed a similar path as many against the Volunteers with the same result. Let’s break it down as Tennessee Beats Kentucky 33-27.

No Answers on Defense

A season ago Josh Heupel’s club won 11 games with one of the best pass offenses in the country. However, in 2023 they are doing it on the ground. That was certainly evident against the Wildcats. Coming into the game Brad White’s group was only giving up 96 yards rushing per game.

The Volunteer rushing attack more than doubled that amount amassing 254 yards. Jaylen Wright led the way with 120 on only 11 attempts and a score. Dylan Sampson added 76 more and a back-breaking late score. The Volunteers scored points on each of their first five first-half drives. That included a field goal just before half after a controversial replay review allowed a third-down catch on the sideline to stand.

The up-tempo offense wore Kentucky down as the night went on as they couldn’t get off the field. As a result, the Cats missed several tackles that would have given the offense back the ball. After a very strong first five games, the defense has been very subpar in the last three. It’s a big reason why Tennessee beats Kentucky 33-27.

One part of the Wildcat attack that was good was the offense including a great performance from their quarterback.

What They’ve Been Looking For

For much of the season, the talk around the program has been “What’s wrong with Devin Leary?” The top-ranked quarterback in the transfer portal has struggled especially in conference play. Heading into Saturday’s game Leary had only completed 47 percent of his passes.

However, against Tennessee, he looked like the guy who was a finalist for the nation’s best quarterback two years ago. For the game, he completed 28 of 39 passes for 373 yards and two touchdowns and no interceptions. It’s the most yards he’s thrown for since gaining 404 against Wake Forest in 2021.

Dropped balls by the receivers have been a big issue all year. However, they came up big against Tennessee. Dane Key led the way with seven catches for 113 yards and a touchdown. The other “Super Sophomore” Barion Brown added 58 yards on five receptions. It was also big night for tight end Jordan Dingle who caught six balls for 61 yards.

Questionable Calls

Unfortunately, some questionable play calling at critical points in the game helped lead to the Volunteer win. Early in the first quarter with Kentucky down 7-0, they went for it on a fourth and one at their own 34. Ray Davis was stopped and UT got a field goal to go up 10.

Early in the third quarter on another fourth down Liam Coen drew up a 50-50 ball with running back Demie Sumo-Karnbaye that fell incomplete. That led to another Tennessee field goal. Another third and 11 at the Volunteer 35 they chose a deep route to Brown which fell incomplete rather than try to gain yards for a field goal. Alex Raynor missed from 53 yards and again failed to convert.

Coen called a great game and the offense looked good there were some puzzling calls at key times. Put it all together and Tennessee beats Kentucky 33-27.

Looking Ahead

With their third straight loss Kentucky drops to 5-3 overall and 2-3 in the SEC. In addition, Tennessee runs its current win streak to three against the Cats and 36 of the last 39. It doesn’t get any easier for Kentucky next week as they travel to a “House Of Horrors” for Stoops, Mississippi State.

The UK headman has never won in Starkville and overall Kentucky hasn’t won down there since 2008. However, the Bulldogs have struggled this year at 4-4 and are coming off a 27-13 loss at Auburn.

On the other side of the ball Tennessee moves to 6-2 on the season and 3-2 in the league. They step out of the conference next week to host a UCONN team that’s currently 1-7 on the season.

Final Thoughts

Much like 2022 a year that started so promising has quickly spiraled downward. After the Florida win the Wildcats were in the conversation for a high-profile bowl. Three straight losses and a brutal end of the schedule now have the BBN wondering about even making it. Currently, Last Word has the Cats playing West Virginia in the Liberty Bowl. However, they’ll likely drop from there next week.

At the end of the day, this felt a lot like the 2021 game in Lexington. Kentucky gained over 600 yards but still couldn’t beat Tennessee. In this one the offense was great but it seemed like they were playing catch up the whole game and the defense simply couldn’t get stops. At the end of the day, it’s another painful loss for the Cats.