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Rapid Reaction: Vanderbilt stuns No. 24 Kentucky for first SEC win since 2019 season

Andrew Olson

By Andrew Olson

Published:

Vanderbilt has won its first SEC game since 2019. The Commodores went to Lexington and shocked No. 24 Kentucky 24-21 on Saturday. It’s the first conference victory for Clark Lea, who took the Vandy head coaching job ahead of the 2021 season.

Trailing 21-17, Vanderbilt QB Mike Wright found standout WR Will Sheppard in the end zone with 32 seconds left. The successful extra point put Vanderbilt up 24-21.

It was an exciting drive for the Commodores. A potentially game-sealing Kentucky interception was called off due to a hands-to-the-face penalty. On 4th-and-11, Wright found Quincy Skinner Jr. on a 40-yard pass to the UK 9-yard line, helping set up the game-winning score.

Wright finished 12-of-23 passing for 184 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception while rushing 11 times for 126 yards and a TD. Ray Davis was Vanderbilt’s leading rusher with 129 yards and a TD on 26 carries.

Rodriguez nearly carried Kentucky to victory. He finished with an impressive 162 yards and 2 touchdowns on 18 carries.

UK QB Will Levis was just 11-of-23 passing for 109 yards, 1 interception and no touchdowns.

The Commodores led through the first 3 quarters. There was a momentum swing, though, early in the 4th quarter. Wright was stopped on 4th-and-3 resulting in a turnover on downs.

The UK drive that followed was capped by a Chris Rodriguez touchdown, giving Kentucky its first lead of the game, 15-14. The Wildcats tried going for 2 to go up a field goal but were unsuccessful.

While a crushing loss, Saturday’s defeat does not spoil Kentucky’s season. UK has already secured bowl eligibility with 6 wins on the season. With 3 conference losses, the Wildcats weren’t looking at playing in the SEC Championship Game.

Clark Lea’s squad, though, responded with a 12-play, 67-yard drive to retake the lead 17-15 on a 26-yard Joseph Bulovas field goal.

VU’s lead, though, did not last. Kentucky’s next possession began with a 74-yard Rodriguez TD run.

The Commodores will look to keep it going at home against Florida in Week 12. Vandy is 4-6, needing wins over UF and Tennessee to secure bowl eligibility. The Wildcats will try to bounce back against No. 1 Georgia.

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.

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