Devin Leary threw for 373 yards. (Vicky Graff Photo)
When Kentucky had its chances to perhaps beat Tennessee, it just could not make the plays Saturday night.
Kentucky’s defense had trouble tackling at key times and the Vols just wore down the Cats to win 33-27.
The Cats got off to a horrible start in what seemed like a must-win game falling behind 10-0 to start the game but even though the Vols scored on all five first-half possessions, the Cats had a chance to win because quarterback Devin Leary spread the ball around and receivers Dane Key, Barion Brown and Jordan Dingle all made huge plays.
Leary completed 28 of 39 passes for 373 yards and Key had seven catches for 113 yards, his first 100-yard game at Kentucky.
But once again the bottom line is that Tennessee beat the Cats who now have to play Alabama at home and Mississippi State, South Carolina and Louisville on the road.
This was the ultimate frustration for Kentucky.
Coach Mark Stoops gambled on fourth and 1 in the first quarter in UK territory and Ray Davis was stopped.
“I probably pressed a little bit right there and thought we could get the half yard and we didn’t,” Stoops said.
In the second half UK twice had the ball with a chance to take the lead and failed on fourth down both times deep in Tennessee territory— once when Stoops went for the first down and once when UK tried a 53-yard field goal. Again, though, the Cats didn’t cash in on chances.
Stoops can talk all he wants about playing “selfless and smarter” but I’m not sure how most UK fans feel after another loss.
“We need to find ways to win these games but that was a great game, great environment. I appreciate our players’ mentality very much,” Stoops said. “We as a staff will struggle with some of that (play calls) because we had chances on both sides. Twice had the ball in the high red (close to the goal line) and got nothing out of it. We have to do a better job.
“You don’t know what one play changes the outcome of a game. We were very disciplined. We were smarter. But under extreme pressure your habits come to the surface and we had one player try to do too much on one play.”
The Vols had 482 yards and tried to often spread UK’s defense out but ran for 254 yards and averaged 5.3 yards per rush. Quarterback Joe Milton was also 18 of 21 passing for 228 yards and one score.
“There were some tackles we needed to make late but they have really good athletes that stress you a lot,” Stoops said. “They have talented players.”
Kentucky’s defense has allowed 51, 38 and 33 points the last three games.
“You have to make some one-on-one (tackles) on the perimeter. We gave them one freebie (on a touchdown pass when the defender fell). But what hurt us was the run game. Quite a few yards, some critical ones,” Stoops said.
Again, what could have been, what should have been, what might have been. However, the bottom line is that Kentucky just could not make plays to beat Tennessee in a scenario that’s all too familiar to Big Blue fans.
3 Responses
Two weeks to prepare, game film from UT’s tussle and loss to Alabama as a blueprint, at home with a big time crowd, but no victory. I have lived through over 54 years of moral victories as a fan of Kentucky football, it is their forever M O it seems. The UK offense, I must say, didn’t lose this one. This loss is squarely on the shoulders of a Kentucky defense who couldn’t stop Tennessee, for the most part, all night long, or get off the field on third down. Tennessee almost scored on every possession, either sixes or threes. Starting deep in Tennessee territory a lot, but adding points in a series of 4, 5, or 6 plays, while running through, over, or around Kentucky defenders. Their place kicker was lights out too, let me just add. Stoops has improved the talent level at Kentucky, but it is still not on a par with the SEC’s elite. Even Tennessee has better talent, a blind man could see it.
I am beginning to wonder if Stoops is the future for Kentucky football. If our talent level is SEC talent, where is the coaching for the amount of investment being made in this Coach and staff. Yes they played hard, but that does not count. I am really not sure UK can finish strong in 2023. They may get bowl eligible, but to sound off as much as this team did pre season and look so inept against teams like Missouri at home, and forever it seems, lose again and again to UT, who down right owns them, that is hard to swallow. Maybe Kentucky football needs new blood……..JUST MAYBE.
Fair questions Pup but just think back about the history of UK football and also look across country at how many non-traditional powers win 8-10 games every year — there are not many
Are those non-traditional powers paying their coach $9 million a year?