Vanderbilt stuns Kentucky to end 26-game SEC losing streak

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Mike Wright ran 59 yards for a landing and accomplished an 8-yard landing cross to Will Sheppard with 32 seconds left for a 24-21 win over Kentucky Saturday, snapping a 26-game Southeastern Convention dropping streak.

Wright was named the Commodores’ beginning quarterback to start out the season however was benched following a 45-25 loss to Wake Forest September 10, Freshman AJ Swann began the final six video games however was dominated out in opposition to Kentucky on account of an damage.

“You bought a bunch of men which are preventing,” Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea stated. “We’re constructing a program, and constructing a program’s laborious. It takes individuals which are aligned, doing the best issues the best method. And that’s what these guys are doing. I’m glad they acquired rewarded in the present day.”

Wright ran for 126 yards and a landing, and threw for 184 yards and one other landing. Ray Davis added 126 yards dashing and a landing for the Commodores.

“There’s going to be lots to scrub up, however we wish to be taught from wins,” Lea stated. “I’m happy with Mike. Mike’s had a troublesome 12 months, personally a troublesome 12 months. However he’s fought by way of that and stayed along with his teammates and ready each week. He’s made some massive performs for us this season. He got here out with an enormous run on the finish to attach with Will Sheperd and I believed he did some very nice issues to maintain us within the sport early.”

Kentucky (6-4, 3-4) appeared to have survived the Vandy effort after Chris Rodriguez twice gave the Wildcats a lead, scoring from the 5 for a 15-14 lead, then racing 72 yards for a landing to make it 21-17 with 5:03 left within the sport.

Vandy’s game-winning drive appeared stalled, however Octavious Oxendine’s private foul worn out a Tyrell Ajian interception. Given new life, Wright accomplished a 40-yard cross to Quincy Skinner Jr. to the Kentucky 9 on fourth-and-11 to arrange the successful rating.

“You give them credit score,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops stated. “I’ve been there. I understand how laborious they’ve labored. It’s an excellent second for them. It’s laborious for me to place my finger on (one) factor. Disenchanted with the best way issues have gone. I feel everyone seems to be. For no matter purpose I’m not getting it achieved with this staff.”

Vanderbilt’s final convention win was Oct. 19, 2019 over Missouri 21-14.

THE TAKEAWAY

Vanderbilt: The Commodores protection, which had given up a conference-worst 36.8 factors per sport, was stellar outdoors of the 2 landing scores. The ended up with 4 sacks and 6 tackles for loss to go along with an interception on the ultimate play of the sport. CJ Taylor led the ’Dores protection with six tackles, a sack and the interception. That stress allowed a Vanderbilt protection surrendering 314 yards a sport passing to carry Will Levis to simply 109 yards on 11-of-23 completions.

Kentucky: The Wildcats’ incapacity to get touchdowns within the purple zone within the first half led to the 7-6 halftime deficit. Twice Kentucky drove inside Vandy’s 20 and one other time contained in the 30 to come back away with simply two area objectives of 47 and 27 yards and blocked area purpose from 37 yards. The second area purpose accomplished a 66-yard, 15-play drive that stalled on the Vanderbilt 9.

DÉJÀ VU

That is the not the primary time Kentucky has been the staff Vandy has crushed to snap a protracted dropping streak. Again in 2003, Vanderbilt beat Kentucky 28-17 at dwelling on Nov. 15 behind 4 landing passes from Jay Cutler to snap a 23-game dropping streak.

UP NEXT

Vanderbilt closes out the season with two dwelling video games, beginning with Florida Saturday.

Kentucky continues its three-game dwelling stand to finish the season, internet hosting No. 1 Georgia Saturday.