Kentucky Falls at Vanderbilt on Saturday
Cutter Boley passed for 280 yards and two touchdowns but Kentucky lost to No. 14 Vanderbilt 45-17 on Saturday at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville.
Willie Rodriguez caught six passes for 78 yards and Hardley Gilmore also caught six for 55 yards.
Kentucky got the ball first and the Cats were able to make one first down before being forced to punt. Vandy took over at its own 26 yard line.
The Commodores went on a 15-play drive, controlling the ball and the clock for almost the rest of the first quarter. However, the UK defense stood tall at the end of the drive and forced Vandy into a 39-yard field goal from Brock Taylor, which was good, giving the Commodores a 3-0 lead.
As the second quarter began, Kentucky would punt again and Vandy took over at its own 14 yard line. The Commodores struck quickly when Diego Pavia found Tre Richardson for a 71-yard touchdown. Taylor added the PAT and Vandy led 10-0 with 13:03 remaining in the half.
Kentucky went three-and-out on its next possession and punted the ball back to Vandy, which took over at its own 31 with 12:00 to play in the half. The Commodores did nothing with the possession, largely due to a sack by Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace and Kahlil Saunders. Vandy punted and UK took over at its own six yard line.
The Cats were able to get a first down when Boley found Cam Miller for a five-yard gain. However, UK would punt again and Vandy took over at its own 40. The Commodores would extend their lead when Richardson scored on a 15-yard rushing touchdown. Taylor made the point after and Vandy led 17-0.
Kentucky moved the ball on the next possession, with Boley finding JJ Hester for 18 yards and Rodriguez for 13 yards. However, Boley was injured following the completion to Rodriguez and Zach Calzada came off the bench. Three plays later, Calzada was intercepted by Kolbey Taylor and Vandy took over at its own 26.
On that possession, Vandy would go for it on fourth and one, but the UK defense made the stop and the Cats took over on the Vandy 33. On third down, Boley came back into the game, but was sacked. Jacob Kauwe would connect on a 47-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 17-3.
Vandy would add a touchdown late in the half when Pavia found Richardson for a 56-yard touchdown with 38 seconds left in the half. Taylor made another PAT and Vanderbilt led 24-3. That would be the halftime score.
The Commodores would extend their lead early in the third quarter when Pavia hit Junior Sherrill for a seven-yard touchdown. Taylor made the PAT and Vandy led 31-3. After a Kentucky punt, the Commodores added to their lead when Pavia scored on a six-yard rush. The point after made it 38-3. Pavia added another touchdown pass to make it 45-3, which would be the score after three quarters.
Kentucky got into the end zone early in the fourth quarter. Boley found Hester for a 41-yard touchdown and Kauwe added the point after, making it 45-10. Boley would connect with Fred Farrier for a nine-yard touchdown late in the game to establish the final margin.
The Cats return to action on Saturday, visiting Louisville in the regular season finale. Kickoff is set for noon ET and the game can be seen on the ACC Network.
