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.