On the biggest stage of the season, Kentucky had the opportunity to send a statement. Instead, they left the House of Horrors at Neyland Stadium with another devastating defeat, thanks to one costly mistake after another.
Kentucky was ranked No. 6 in the country because they played clean football. No. 13 Tennessee won 34-6 due to sloppy play by the Wildcats.
Kentucky controlled the clock and outscored the Vols for most of the night, but it didn’t matter. The Wildcats were -3 in the turnover column. You can’t win at Neyland Stadium when you commit penalties on time and give Tennessee the ball three times. To make matters worse, Kentucky was unable to generate any explosive plays. Tennessee totaled 165 yards in four plays, two of which resulted in touchdowns.
The Wildcats fall to 7-2 with three games remaining. Kentucky’s College Football Playoff dreams aren’t dead, but they are on life support with no room to maneuver in the home stretch of the season.
Unusual errors in the first half
There must be something about Neyland Stadium. That’s the only way to explain Kentucky’s inexplicable, error-prone start.
The SEC’s least penalized team had four penalties for 35 yards in the first half. Kenny Minchey hadn’t thrown an interception since the Alabama game, but he was spotted on a deep throw toward the end zone. A fumble by Jovantae Barnes It was the Wildcats’ second turnover, their first two giveaways since September.
It wasn’t just the offense either. Kentucky has limited explosive runs all year. Only one running back has gained more than 20 yards all season. Then the Tennessee backup caught the Cats in a running blitz. Daune Morris made a move, then scored a 66-yard touchdown.
More Middle 8 magic by Kentucky
The Wildcats found themselves when the clock hit 4:00, the start of the Middle 8. Even though they were backed up on their own 4-yard line, Kentucky drove down the field, with help from Tennessee penalties and two big receptions from Kenny Darby. The Wildcats had a chance to tie the game, but that end zone penalty was not called, forcing the Cats to settle for three to make it a 10-6 game at halftime.
Extra turnover turns game into explosion
Kentucky had every opportunity to take control of the match. They were continually shooting themselves in the foot.
Trailing by a touchdown, Kentucky made a 3rd and 2 in Tennessee territory. Instead of having two chances to gain two yards, a false start flag set them back, killing the drive.
The Wildcats’ ensuing possession delivered the TKO. Minchey didn’t see the free runner come off the edge. Even if Qua Moss was lined up offside, the penalty was not awarded. He sacked Minchey and forced a fumble, giving Tennessee the ball 36 yards to the end zone. Four plays later, Mike Matthew He raced 24 yards into the end zone to give the Vols an insurmountable 14-point lead.
Kentucky still had a chance to make it a game. A risky fourth call resulted in a sack. Two plays later, Tennessee put the nail in the coffin.
The good news? This loss only counts as one. Everything else was bad news in Knoxville.
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