Big Blue Preview: Kentucky vs. Tennessee
Info to Know
| Kentucky vs. Tennessee | When: Sat., Oct. 25, 7:45 ET | Where: Kroger Field, Lexington, Ky. | TV: SEC Network | Radio: UK Sports Network |
Preview
After dropping an overtime heartbreaker to No. 21 Texas last week, Kentucky is back in action on Saturday, hosting 17th-ranked Tennessee at Kroger Field (7:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network).
Kentucky is now 2-4 this season and 0-4 in Southeastern Conference play after last week’s 16-13 loss to the Longhorns.
Tennessee is 5-2 and 2-2 in league play after falling at Alabama 37-20 last weekend.
The Vols have won the last four matchups between the teams, a streak Kentucky will be looking to break on Saturday.
Cat Scratches: White, UK Defense Hoping to Carry Momentum from Saturday
The Kentucky defense played very well in Saturday’s game against Texas. The Cats held the Longhorns to just 179 total yards of offense, including just 47 yards rushing.
Following Wednesday’s practice, UK defensive coordinator Brad White spoke about his unit’s effort against Texas.
“I think the first thing that stands out is how we played on second down,” White said. “That was a big emphasis point going into the game. We had been playing well on first (down), but second down, the guys really stepped up. It gave us chances to play in third and long and get more aggressive.”
This week, White and the Kentucky defense face a big challenge as the Cats host Tennessee. The Vols lead the Southeastern Conference in scoring at more than 44 points per game, and are second in total offense, averaging more than 500 yards per contest. White knows that Tennessee poses a lot of problems for opposing defenses.
“Every week’s its own little unique challenge scenario,” White said. “So, the guys have to wipe (away) last week in terms of knowledge. What you’d like them to feel is that energy that they played with. I was really proud of the effort that they displayed and we’re going to need to carry that over. We’re going to have to play a really clean game. Guys are going to have to win one-on-ones.”
Tennessee is known for its passing game, but White pointed out that the Vols are rushing the ball effectively this season as well…Read More
KENTUCKY-TENNESSEE
The Series
• Tennessee leads the all-time series with Kentucky, 85-26-9.
• Tennessee also leads in Lexington, 40-15-3.
• UT has a four-game winning streak over UK.
• The last time UK defeated UT was in a 34-7 triumph on the road in 2020.
• The last time UK defeated UT in Lexington was in a 29-26 triumph in 2017.
In the Last Meeting
• Tennessee defeated Kentucky, 28-18, in Knoxville, on Nov. 2, 2024.
• In the first quarter, Brock Vandagriff and Josh Kattus connected on a 27-yard touchdown to go on the board first.
• It marked the first touchdown Tennessee had given up in the first quarter all last season.
• In the fourth quarter, Vandagriff and Ja’Mori Maclin connected on a two-point conversion to make it a three-point game with 13 minutes remaining.
• It marked UK’s first two-point conversion since a Stephen Johnson conversion pass to Benny Snell Jr. in 2017.
• The Wildcats had nine receivers in the game, the most since the Cats used 11 receivers against South Carolina on Oct. 8, 2022.
The Connections
• Kentucky has five players from the state of Tennessee on its roster: S Martels Carter Jr. (Chattanooga), RB James Dalrymple (Clarksville), DL Kalen Edwards (Dyersburg), LB Kris Thompson (Nashville), OLB Steven Soles Jr. (Powell)
By the Numbers
4
Sets of brothers on the UK roster, second nationally to only Illinois’ five
21
Consecutive games with a tackle for UK defensive back Jordan Lovett, the most on the team
31
Completions for Cutter Boley against Texas, a career high
47
Rushing yards for Texas last week, the fewest by any UK opponent this season
120
Games between Kentucky and Tennessee, the most UK has played against anyone
