LEXINGTON — Chris Rodriguez Jr. went over the century mark again with 162 rushing yards and two touchdowns, but a late touchdown helped Vanderbilt upset the 24th ranked Kentucky Wildcats 24-21 on Saturday at Kroger Field.
The win snapped the Commodores 26-game losing streak in the conference. The last time Vanderbilt won an SEC contest was
Kentucky's rushing attack was effective all day, behind Rodriguez, who rushed for 213 yards on 31 carries. The passing game struggled, as Quarterback Will Levis completed just 11 of 23 through the air for 109 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.
Vanderbilt (4-6, 1-5 SEC) got the ball to start the game, but on the second play from scrimmage, Kentucky linebacker JJ Weaver would put a hit on Commodore receiver Will Sheppard that knocked the ball loose and would be recovered by teammate Carrington Valentine to give the Wildcats the ball at the opponents 30.
But Kentucky (6-4, 3-4) found trouble moving the ball on their first possession and would end up settling for a 47-yard field goal by Matt Ruffolo to give the Wildcats a 3-0 lead with 13:22 in the opening quarter.
The Commodores would answer on their next drive, as quarterback Mike Wright would scramble away from pressure, break loose in the middle of the field, and race 59 yards for a touchdown. The extra point would be added byJoseph Bulovas, and just like that, Vanderbilt would lead 7-3.
On their ensuing possession, Kentucky would use balanced attack of run and pass to drive deep into Vanderbilt territory. A key play in the drive was when Will Levis connected with Tayvion Robinson on a 25-yard strike to get Kentucky into scoring position. However, the drive would stall out again and be forced to settle for a 27-yard field goal by Ruffolo, cutting the deficit to 7-6, with 3:33 left in the first quarter.
During the second quarter, both teams would have scoring opportunities, only to come up empty on them. Kentucky's Keidron Smith would intercept a Wright pass in the end zone in the early stages of the period to halt Vanderbilt's scoring chance. Then midway through the quarter, Vanderbilt would block a 37-yard field goal attempt to maintain their 7-6 lead at halftime.
Vanderbilt would extend their lead in the third quarter, thanks to a 45-yard run by Ray Davis to put the ball on the Kentucky 3. Three plays later, Davis would plunge into the end zone for the score and a 14-6 lead with 7:47 remaining in the third frame.
Badly in need of momentum, Kentucky would turn to its ground game. Chris Rodriguez Jr would get things going with a 23-yard burst. Then Vanderbilt would aid the Wildcats with a costly 15-yard penalty to help put Kentucky deep in Commodore territory. Levis would hit Robinson for an 11 yard gain on a fourth-and-six play to also keep the drive going.
However, the drive would again stall out at the Vanderbilt 22 and the Wildcats would be forced to settle for another field goal attempt from Ruffolo, who would split the sticks this time and cut the score to 14-9 with 3:30 left in the third period.
The Kentucky defense would halt a Vanderbilt drive, as Wright would be stopped on a fourth down scramble by Trevin Wallace, to give the Wildcats the ball back at their own 34 with 14:13 to play.
The Wildcats would go back to the ground game as Rodriguez would start things off with runs of 18 and 5 yards and teammate JuTahn McClain would add a 28-yard run to put Kentucky at the Vanderbilt 15.
Two plays later, Rodriguez would rip off a 10-yard run to the 5 yard line. Then on second-and-goal, Rodriguez would run through the middle of the defense for the final five yards for his first score of the game. Levis would be sacked on the two-point try, but Kentucky was finally out in front 15-14 with 11:14 remaining in the game.
Vanderbilt would answer with a 67-yard drive that would result in a Joseph Bulovas 26-yard field goal to put the Commodores back on top 17-15 with 5:22 to play.
Their lead would not last for long, as Rodriguez would get the handoff on the first play of their next drive, bounce to the outside and race down the left sideline for a 72-yard score to give Kentucky a 21-17 lead with 5:03 remaining in the game.
The Wildcats would be unable to convert the two-point conversion as McClain would be stopped short of the goal line.
Vanderbilt would get a big play on their ensuing possession, as Wright would complete a 40-yard toss to Quincy Skinner to get his team to the Kentucky 10. Then two plays later, Wright would hit Sheppard on an 8-yard strike with just 32 seconds left, to give the Commodores a 24-21 lead.
Kentucky would get the ball one final time, but Levis’ final heave down the field as intercepted as time expired.
Kentucky will be in action next Saturday, hosting top-ranked Georgia at Kroger Field. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and the game be televised on CBS.
Vanderbilt 7 0 7 10 = 24
Kentucky 6 0 3 12 = 21
First Quarter UK—Matt Ruffolo 47 field goal, 13:22. VAN—Mike Wright 59 run (Joseph Bulovas kick), 11:54.
UK—Matt Ruffolo 27 field goal, 3:33.
Third Quarter VAN—Ray Davis 1 run (Joseph Bulovas kick), 7:47. UK—Matt Ruffolo 39 field goal, 3:42
Fourth Quarter UK—Chris Rodriguez Jr. 5 Yd Run (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed), 11:14. VAN—Joseph Bulovas 26 Yd Field Goal, 5:22. UK—Chris Rodriguez Jr. 72 run (Run failed), 5:03. Will Sheppard 8 Yd pass from Mike Wright (Joseph Bulovas Kick), 0:32.
Comments