Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky: No. 12 Wildcats rally from 10 down, beat Commodores 34-17 to take SEC lead

Kentucky looked lost for a quarter. Then it took over the SEC race. Kenny Minchey threw for 203 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score as No. 12 Kentucky beat Vanderbilt 34-17 on Saturday night, Oct. 24, at Kroger Field in Lexington.

The Wildcats (7-1, 5-1 SEC) moved into sole possession of first place in the conference, a half-game ahead of No. 5 Georgia, which was idle, according to the Associated Press. Kentucky also clinched a winning SEC record for only the third time since 1977. Vanderbilt fell to 3-5 and 0-5 in league play.

Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt final score

Key numbers: - Kenny Minchey (UK): 203 passing yards, 1 passing TD, 1 rushing TD - Willie Rodriguez (UK): 6 catches, 67 yards, plus a 1-yard rushing TD out of the Wildcat - D.J. Miller (UK): 5 catches, 43 yards, 1 TD - Jared Curtis (VU): 242 passing yards, 2 TDs - Kentucky total offense: 376 yards; Vanderbilt rushing: 15 yards

A slow start, then 21 straight points

Vanderbilt controlled the first quarter. The Commodores held the ball for 17:34 of it, by the AP’s count, converted six of their first eight third downs and outgained Kentucky 142-14. Brock Taylor’s 30-yard field goal made it 3-0, and Curtis found tight end Jayvontay Conner for a 3-yard touchdown to cap a 95-yard, 16-play drive for a 10-0 lead, UK Athletics reported.

Kentucky didn’t pick up its first first down until midway through the second quarter. From there it scored 21 straight points. Minchey hit Miller for a 9-yard touchdown, and Rodriguez ran in from a yard out with 24 seconds left in the half for a 14-10 halftime lead. Reserve quarterback Brennen Ward scored on a 10-yard run on the opening drive of the third quarter, his first career rushing attempt.

“To be able to score those points before the half and after the half getting the ball back is great football,” Minchey said, per the AP.

Vandy’s push and Kentucky’s finish

Curtis kept Vanderbilt close. His 34-yard fourth-down touchdown pass to Jared Thomas cut the lead to 21-17 late in the third quarter. Kentucky then scored the final 13 points. Adam Zouagui made field goals of 47 and 32 yards, and Minchey capped a 13-play, 6:38 drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 5:11 to play.

The Kentucky defense set it up. Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace forced a Curtis fumble that Tavion Gadson recovered at the Vanderbilt 17, and Ty Bryant intercepted Curtis early in the fourth quarter. The AP said it was Kentucky’s fifth interception in two weeks. After its fast start, Vanderbilt managed just 120 total yards over the final three quarters.

“This was, I thought, one of our best games,” Kentucky coach Will Stein said.

What it means for the SEC standings

Kentucky lost to Vanderbilt 45-17 last season, and the win ended a two-game skid in the series. The AP wrote that the Wildcats haven’t been this close to an SEC title since the 1976 team shared the crown with Tennessee. Their remaining league games are against No. 11 Tennessee, No. 20 Florida and No. 22 Missouri.

Vanderbilt is still looking for its first conference win, with four regular-season games left.

FAQ