Game Day Central: Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt
Cat Walk
Pregame
1st Quarter
Kentucky got the ball first and, after earning a first down, the Cats were beneficiaries of a pass interference call against the Commodores, moving the ball across midfield. However, a pair of costly penalties stalled the drive and Kentucky punted it away, with Vanderbilt taking over at its own three yard line with 9:42 left in the first quarter.
Vanderbilt was able to work its way out of the less-than-ideal field position via a first down and a roughing the passer penalty on the Cats. Later in the drive, Vandy quarterback Diego Pavia rushed left for 31 yards, getting the ‘Dores deep into UK territory. Two plays later, Pavia connected with AJ Newberry for a 20-yard touchdown pass. Brock Taylor added the point after and Vanderbilt led 7-0 with 4:50 remaining in the first quarter.
The Cats would respond with a good drive of their own. UK rode the legs of Sumo-Karngbaye and Gavin Wimsatt to get into Vandy territory. A Vandagriff completion to Jordan Dingle got the Cats into the red zone. The first quarter ended with Vandy leading 7-0.
2nd Quarter
As the second quarter began, the Cats got a pair of five-yard rushes from Vandagriff to get to the one yard line. From there, Sumo-Karngbaye took it in for the touchdown. Alex Raynor added the extra point and the game was tied 7-7 with 13:42 left in the first half.
Vandy wasted little time on its next possession, getting into UK territory on just four plays. However, on the fifth play of the drive, Pavia was intercepted by UK linebacker D’Eryk Jackson on an acrobatic play that gave the Cats the ball at their own 36 with 10:33 left in the half.
After a pair of penalties set the Cats back, UK would eventually get going on the drive. A third-down completion from Vandagriff to Dane Key covered 20 yards and put Kentucky at the VU 34 yard line. However, after Vandagriff connected with Key again, the Commodores forced a fumble and Vandy recovered, taking over at their own 34 yard line with 6:46 left in the half.
Vandy was unable to do much with the ensuing possession, largely due to a sack by UK linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson. The ‘Dores would punt and the Cats took over at their own six with 2:24 left in the half.
Kentucky got one first down on its next possession before punting. The Commodores would take over at their own 40 with 1:35 left in the half.
Pavia would lead the Commodores to a scoring drive just before the end of the half. With just 13 seconds remaining in the half, Pavia hit Richie Hoskins for an 18-yard touchdown. Taylor added the PAT and Vandy led 14-7. That would be the halftime score.
3rd Quarter
In the third quarter, Vanderbilt got the ball first and the ‘Dores went on an 11-play drive. However, they only gained 44 yards on the drive, which stalled in UK territory. Taylor came on and made a 49-yard field goal, giving Vandy a 17-7 lead with 7:51 left in the period.
Kentucky would attempt to answer, turning to the ground game again. Jamarion Wilcox ripped off a 16-yard run to start the drive, and a few plays later, Barion Brown went for 10 yards on a jet sweep. Sumo-Karngbaye went for seven yards to get the Cats into the red zone. After Wimstatt got the Cats to the one yard line. Kentucky would attempt a field goal, but a problem on the hold prevented the kick and Vandy took over at its own 10 with 1:50 left in the third quarter. Vandy would lead 17-7 after three quarters.
4th Quarter
In the fourth quarter, Vanderbilt put together a methodical drive, using lots of game clock (8:03) along the way. However, a sack by JJ Weaver forced Vandy into a field goal. Taylor would connect from 50 yards out and the ‘Dores led 20-7 with 8:47 to play.
Kentucky would respond quickly, going with a no-huddle, hurry up offense. Vandagriff got hot, connecting on three consecutive passes, including a 22-yard touchdown pass to Key. The PAT failed after a bad snap, but the Cats were within 20-13 with 7:02 remaining.
