UK returned to action after the bye week hosting a Vanderbilt team that the Wildcats fully expected to be a handful.
The Commodores got the ball first and moved it quickly into UK territory. However, Josh Allen got a sack and an intentional grounding call on the next play forced a Vandy punt. On UK’s second play from scrimmage, Terry Wilson, ran for a first down but then fumbled it and the Commodores recovered.
The defense held and on the second play from scrimmage–again–UK turned the ball over. This time Terry Wilson threw a lateral that missed Lynn Bowden and Vandy fell on it for the recovery.
Kentucky finally started moving the ball in the 2nd quarter. A healthy dose of Benny Snell, Jr. and Terry Wilson running led to a Wilson 5 yard touchdown pass to Lynn Bowden to tie the game at 7 with 6:28 to go in the second quarter.
Snell had 15 carries for 68 yards, Wilson was just 2-4 for 7 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 55 more yards. UK and Vanderbilt tied at the half 7-7.
UK got the ball to start the second half and of the kick off, Lynn Bowden took it all the way back for a touchdown. However, there was a holding call that brought it back and took the points off the board.
Vanderbilt’s Kyle Shurmur then threw an interception to Derek Baity but there was a holding call on him wiping out the play. The Commodores went for a field goal but missed and it remained tied at 7-7.
UK put a drive together thanks to the running of Terry Wilson. But it ended the same way as Vandy as Miles Butler missed a 39 yard field goal late in the third.
Vanderbilt was moving the ball early in the 4th quarter and got it deep in UK territory. The Commodores would go for it on 4th down and Kash Daniel would not only stop but force a fumble. Quinton Bohana recovered for Kentucky.
Benny Snell, Jr. got it going with a 22 yard run followed by another for 11 yards and a short time later another for 8. He would finish the drive with a 7 yard touchdown run to give UK the 14-7 lead.
The UK defense would help finish off the win for Kentucky. Josh Allen forced a fumble and Mike Edwards recovered.
The Wildcats are now bowl eligible for the 3rd straight season. At 4-1, the Cats are also off to their best 5 game start since 5-0 in 1977.
Benny Snell, Jr. led the way with 169 yards on 32 carries. Terry Wilson was just 3-9 for 18 yards but threw a TD and he ran for 91 more yards.
UK is now 6-1 overall, 4-1 in the SEC. Next Saturday, the Wildcats travel to Missouri for a four o’clock game.
