Kentucky quarterback Cutter Boley went down in the second half but returned and finished the game with 280 yards passing and two touchdowns. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Not only did Kentucky’s three-game winning streak end, it got obliterated by Vanderbilt.
The Commodores showed why they have become a team worthy of consideration for the college football playoffs by destroying Kentucky 45-17. The team was never close after Vandy got rolling in the second quarter.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia certainly enhanced his Heisman Trophy chances by picking apart UK’s injury-riddled secondary. Pavia was 33 of 39 passing for a school-record 484 yards and five scores. He had two scoring throws of over 50 yards before halftime. Pavia also ran for 48 yards — 17 more than Kentucky’s team did — and had a scoring run.
“You have to start by crediting them. They definitely played exceptional and we didn’t play very good,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said on the UK Radio Network postgame show. “It’s not a good feeling. Just very discouraging. I just said to the media and team that I am not into flushing games. We are going to own our games and take responsibility. The only good thing is that it only counts as one loss. Thank God we have another opportunity.”
Kentucky came into the game 5-5 needing one more win to secure bowl eligibility. Now that remaining “opportunity” will be Louisville Saturday.
Kentucky had just 31 yards rushing and redshirt freshman quarterback Cutter Boley was 26 of 44 passing for 280 yards and two scores with two interceptions. However, he was under constant stress and was briefly knocked out of the game in the second half before returning to the game.
“When you get off to a bad start like that with any quarterback, let alone a young quarterback, it is hard. Part of that is on us. We have to give him opportunities to start better,” Stoops said. “You can’t have three-and-outs against this team because they score and are hard to get off the field.”
Stoops was impressed with the way Boley played after getting knocked down and almost out. He was sacked twice and hit seven more times by the aggressive, blitzing Vandy defense.
“I love the way he handles himself. We all have to accept our part and it starts with me but I will take that guy any time,” Stoops said. “His attitude, his toughness … give Vandy credit but there are a lot of good days ahead for Cutter.”
Kentucky receivers were not able to break tackles until J.J. Hester finally did in the second half and went for a 41-yard score. Kentucky also often couldn’t create space for receivers before Boley was under duress.
“We have to do a lot of things better (offensively). We obviously did not have a very good plan for the (Vandy) pressure,” Stoops said. “We didn’t run the ball very well. Not effective enough at running and became one dimensional. We got to do a lot of things better next week. We have to be balanced, better on third down.”
Kentucky can still become bowl eligible — something very few thought could be possible when the Cats were 2-5 — by winning at Louisville. The Cardinals started the year 7-1 but are now 7-4 after losing to California, Clemson and SMU the last three weeks.
Stoops is not worried about his players being ready for the challenge.
“I told the team they have given me no reason to think they would not respond the right way. We have to move on quick and be ready to lay it on the line (at Louisville),” Stoops said.
7 Responses
Beat Louisville, get a bowl bid, win that game, finish with a 7-6 record and then work on 2026. That will get Stoops off of the hot seat for another year. Lose to Louisville…Stoops better start packing his bags.
And fire OC B. Hamdan. Another truly awful game – play calling included.
Exactly right, Graefenburg!
Fire the OC for sure!
2 seasons of frustrating play calling is 2 too many.
That was rough. Glad Pavia is gone. If the NCAA does the right thing.
You really would have to think that after the total beat down we absorbed yesterday that this team will not find the Will or discipline to pull this game out, and I expect UL to keep their streak going. The coaches and players keep using the same cliches coming in the post game interviews etc. We need a regime change. I do not think that Boley should have re-entered the game bc of his injury and Calzeda should have been benched after his failure, and it should have been "next man up" from there. The outcome of the game was already established. Every team has pounded us with slant passes over the middle all season, and one would think Bush might have the intelligence to try and do the same. His offensive identity has been established as three and out ever since he came aboard.
You nailed it on all counts, Mike.
UK once again was in a trance the first couple of series after coming out of the locker room to start the game. It was over in a hurry.
UL will be ready to start playing when the kickoff is in the air, but UK will need a couple of series to overcome the trance which the players are subjected to prior to every game. A repeat if that locker room letdown also takes place at the half.
It seems like Louisville football is like the Louisville fanbase. They win a couple of games and think they are the best team in football and they don't have to show up to win. I don't know how many times Louisville has had a complete meltdown after starting the year out looking like a team that might be a playoff contender. Last year it was almost the exact same thing. The first 8 games of the season last year and this year they looked like shoo in for the playoffs. Then they lose 2-3 in a row to end the year. They let the outside noise control the narrative. They were 7-1 this year staring at the playoffs.. All they had to do is beat a 5-4 California team at home. Lost that one. Then they play a 4-5 Clemson team. Lost that one too. Clemson and California both won all there cupcake non conference games but only one and two conference games respectfully. Louisville should have drummed California and Clemson. That would have set up a game against SMU for what would have been a playoff spot. They get beat by over 4 TDs to a mediocre SMU team. If we can beat Louisville who just lost to these three teams we don't deserve a bowl game. It's like Kentucky and Louisville went different directions. Kentucky was 2-5 now we are 5-6. Louisville was 7-1 now they are 7-4. Louisville might not have made a bowl game if they had our schedule. I do think our schedule this year has made this last game very winnable. We can't hope Louisville plays a bad game. Kentucky needs to play a perfect game both on offense and defense. The closest I've seen to this was against a Florida team who didn't have a coach and already threw the towel in. Has Louisville thrown the towel in too? That will be there excuse if they lose to Kentucky. I've done a ton of research and watched half of louisvilles games this year and with how both teams are playing right now Kentucky will win. It will be a close game because it's a rivalry and a lot is at stake. Louisville would rather win the game against Kentucky than whatever toilet bowl they play in you can guarantee that. Whoever wins in basketball the other team usually wins itln football. If SMU just killed Louisville we should be able to beat Louisville. Kentucky 34 Louisville 27 will be the final.
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