Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt – Game summary – November 13, 2021

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Chris Rodriguez Jr. ran 114 yards and the touchdown, Will Levis scored two goals and Kentucky took a quick start to win the Vanderbilt 34-17 Southeast Conference match on Saturday night.

The Wildcats (7-3, 5-3) ended the three-game losing streak and have won the last six games against Vanderbilt (2-8, 0-6). Commodores have lost five consecutive and 19 consecutive SEC games.

Kentucky scored the first four balls.

“We played more free football in the first half than we’ve done in a while,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said. – We did what we had to do to win. You know, that was a big deal for us when we got on the road and got another SEC East win.

Levis scored a 6-yard touchdown and a 22-yard Izayah Cummings goal in Wan’Dale Robinson’s goal area. Jalen Geiger returned the cutout to the 31-yard finish area. Rodriguez, who has raced more than 100 yards five times this season, added a 5-yard touchdown run that stretched the Wildcats lead to 28-3 with 10:43 left in the second quarter.

Mike Wright took on Vanderbilt starting lineup Ken Seals to start the second half and threw an 8-yard touchdown to Chris Pierce Jr. at 5:53 in the third quarter. Wright later finished the 75-yard run with an 8-yard TD pass to Amir Abdur-Rahman at 7:33 left.

“Ken was injured in the first half,” Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea said. – We need to see the extent of his injury. We were happy with what Mike did in the second half. He knew he was coming in in the first defense series. He was ready. I think he made good decisions. We have a lot to develop. ”

The Wildcats attack was suspended for most of the second half. Matt Ruffolo’s 32-yard field goal 13:26 match left broke the drought.

“In the second half, we got rid of the defense a little bit,” Stoops said. “I wish we could have made better stops in defense in the second half. I thought it put our crime in handcuffs.”

TAKEWAY

Kentucky: The Wildcats’ defense kept Vanderbilt’s attack under control. The Commodores didn’t get into the red area in the first half, and Joseph Bulovas ’48-yard goal was their only goal. … The Wildcats have kept Vanderbilt at 22 points or less in seven of their last eight matches.

Vanderbilt: Seals returned as Commodores ’starting game builder after being out of the last three matches due to an injured finger. He scored 87 yards on 12/17 passes. He threw one cut, which was restored to contact and was fired three times. … Wright made seven of the 11 feed attempts to 58 yards, added 20 yards on the rush and didn’t throw a kidnapping.

THE FLU IS COMMODORES

Twelve Vanderbilt players suffered from the flu last week. “There’s some hardness we’re proud of,” Lea said. “They fought through it.”

NEXT

Kentucky: Hosts New Mexico State in a non-conference game on Saturday.

Vanderbilt: Commodores are on their way to the SEC game against Mississippi No. 12 on Saturday.

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