Mistakes Prove Costly Once Again
Two weeks ago Mark Stoops got arguably his greatest win on the road at Ole Miss. After the bye week, Kentucky looked to keep the momentum going. However, they were facing a Vanderbilt squad coming off a win against then number one ranked Alabama. In what has become an all too familiar scene over the years the combination of penalties, turnovers, and downright bad plays proved too much. In the process, it ruined what had been a wonderful weekend in the Bluegrass. Let’s break it down as Vanderbilt tops Kentucky 20-13.
Like A Broken Record
Too many times during the Stoops’ era at Kentucky they’ve been plagued by turnovers and penalties. In the upset win over Ole Miss, the Cats won both of those battles and won the game. Unfortunately for the Big Blue Nation, it didn’t carry over against Vanderbilt.
On the Wildcats’ first drive, they were called for two flags, one for a hold and the other an unsportsmanlike conduct against Dane Key. As a result, they had to punt. Aiden Laros pinned the Commodores at their own three. Although, that was no big deal to Diego Pavia who calmly marched 97 yards in eight plays. The final 20 came on a pass to AJ Newberry.
The Cats came right back going 78 yards and holding the ball for six minutes. Demie Sumo-Karngbaye took it to the final yard and we were tied 7-7. On Vandy’s next possession, D’Eryk Jackson picked off Pavia. For the Vanderbilt signal caller, it was his first interception of the year,
Ultimately, UK couldn’t capitalize after getting down to the Commodore 32 as Key fumbled giving the ball right back. Just before the half, another long-time Kentucky issue arose, the final two minutes of the half.
In one of their worst series of the year, Brock Vandagriff threw three straight incompletions using only 19 seconds before punting. Pavia needed only 1:20 to go 60 yards as an 18-yard strike to Richie Hoskins and it was 14-7 at the half. Kentucky had eight penalties for 71 yards to go along with the turnover.
Mistake After Mistake
The only points in the third quarter came on a 49-yard field goal by Brock Taylor. This came after Vandy used half of the period to score. What followed will likely be discussed for a long time by the BBN.
UK took it down to the Commodore six. Gavin Wimsatt got it to the one but Vandy was called for offsides. For some reason UK took the play and not the penalty making it second and goal from the one. A false start took them back five. That was followed by a one-yard run and a badly thrown incomplete pass. In comes Mr. Automatic Alex Raynor for a chip shot. However, holder Wilson Berry couldn’t handle the snap and ended up throwing an interception.
Kentucky was lined up for a 23-yard field goal attempt but holder Wilson Berry mishandled the snap. Berry tried to pass in a scramble situation but was intercepted by Vandy's DeRickey Wright.
This has just been a comedy of errors by Kentucky.
— Mark Story (@markcstory) October 13, 2024
On their next series, Pavia and the Commodores ran over eight minutes off the clock. A 50-yarder by Taylor, the reigning SEC special teams player of the week, put Vanderbilt up 13. To their credit, Vandagriff put together a good drive and a 22-yard pass to Key made it 20-13. Unfortunately, the snap was low on the extra point and Berry couldn’t get it down.
The Wildcat defense held and Barion Brown broke a long punt return which appeared to set the Cats up well for a game-tying drive. Not so fast my friends a penalty on Stephen Soles Jr. pushed UK back to their own 20. Vandagriff was intercepted and that was your game as Vanderbilt tops Kentucky 20-13.
Looking Ahead
With the loss, Kentucky drops to 3-3 overall and 1-3 in the SEC. In addition, their bowl hopes take a big hit. Previously Last Word had them playing in Las Vegas and that won’t be the case on Tuesday.
Next week they’ll hit the road to a place they’ve had recent success, Florida. Kentucky’s won two of the last three in “The Swamp” and three straight against the Gators.
As for Vanderbilt, they improve to 4-2 overall and 2-2 in league play. They’ll step out of the conference next week when they host Ball State. Their bowl chances really improve as Vanderbilt tops Kentucky 20-13.
Final Thoughts
If you read our game preview we said Kentucky needed to reverse a couple of troubling trends. They did neither and have now lost six straight SEC home games and 10 of their last 12. In addition, the bye week blues for Stoops continues as he’s now 5-10 all-time after an off week.
SEC wins in Kroger Field since November 1st, 2021
Kentucky: 2
Vanderbilt: 2
South Carolina: 2
Tennessee: 2
Georgia: 2
Missouri: 1
Alabama: 12-10 home SEC record pic.twitter.com/mSPWTc8xDO
— WT – Lamont Enthusiast (@WildcatsTongue) October 13, 2024
As we mentioned in the beginning this weekend was a special one as it was the first with Mark Pope and Kenny Brooks as men’s and women’s basketball coaches. Furthermore, it marked the return home of former coach Rick Pitino who attended the game.
Unfortunately, all the goodwill went up in smoke in a really bad performance. Kentucky outgained Vandy 322-268 but had 12 penalties for 108 yards. Add in untimely miscues and some questionable play calling and it goes down as a bad loss in the record book. Credit Clark Lea and his squad as they win in Lexington in consecutive trips for the first time since 1992 and 94.
Thanks for checking out our recap as Vanderbilt tops Kentucky 20-13 here at Last Word On College Football.
