Ad Disclosure
Tennessee, Kentucky feature 6 TDs, contrasting styles in wild first half in Lexington
By Keith Farner
Published:
Tennessee used a pair of big throws from QB Hendon Hooker to carve up the Kentucky defense, but the Wildcats responded with some trademark methodical drives.
Tennessee took a 24-21 lead at halftime thanks to a late field goal following a fourth-down stop by the Vols’ defense.
The box score was lopsided from the beginning, as the first quarter ended with the Vols with 14 points, 150 yards of total offense and 0:37 time of possession. Tennessee hit 2 touchdown passes of more than 70 yards each, and Kentucky responded with a 14-play scoring drive capped by a Kavosiey Smoke touchdown, and then another 6-play, 71-yard scoring drive.
Kentucky QB Will Levis took to the air on the tying touchdown, and leaped into the end zone. He then found Justin Rigg for another touchdown later in the first half. Hooker finished the first half with 3 touchdown passes after a pass interference call against Kentucky boosted the Vols to tie the game.
Kentucky seemed to be more energized when it picked up a Tennessee fumble, and the Cats were also effective on third down, as they started 7-for-8.
Time of possession, which was heavily in Kentucky’s favor, was noted by both fans and media in the first half.
A UK defense that was for 6 games looked among the nation’s best is getting embarrassed.
— gene abell (@geneabell) November 6, 2021
Defender for Tennessee just got hurdled by the Kentucky quarterback that eats banana peels. I am pretty sure he has to retire now.
— Caroline Darney (@cwdarney) November 7, 2021
Touchdown Kentucky.
Will Levis 8-yard run, pending review.#Vols playing some garbage defense so far, to be honest. But long way to go.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) November 7, 2021
Well, it obviously doesn’t tell the tale of the scoreboard. But time of possession now may prove important in its subsequent impact down the stretch of this game https://t.co/jqUloCRzUG
— Mark Story (@markcstory) November 7, 2021
That’s the correct call on Vito Tisdale. He got there a bit too soon. PI gives Tennessee an automatic first down.
— Derek Terry (@DerekSTerry) November 7, 2021
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
