Lexington, KY
Oct 12, 2024
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Vanderbilt secured a remarkable 20-13 victory over Kentucky in an SEC showdown at Kroger Field. The Commodores never trailed, following up their historic win over Alabama, courtesy of a strong first-half performance by QB Diego Pavia, who passed for two touchdowns, and Brock Taylor's crucial long field goals in the second half.
Despite a gritty effort from Kentucky, marked by Brock Vandagriff's late touchdown connection with Dane Key, the Wildcats' struggles with penalties and missed opportunities proved costly. Pavia's savvy play, along with Taylor's 50-yard field goal sealed the Commodores' triumph, marking their first consecutive SEC victories in two years and garnering respect on their push towards the AP Top 25 rankings.
Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt)
Pavia delivered a 20-yard touchdown pass to AJ Newberry, capitalizing on Vanderbilt's early momentum. This play set the tone for Vanderbilt's offensive strategy against a Kentucky defense struggling to maintain discipline.
Demie Sumo-Karngbaye (Kentucky)
In a quintessential grind of a drive, Sumo-Karngbaye powered through for a 1-yard rushing touchdown to equalize the game briefly, showcasing Kentucky's potential for powerful running plays.
Richie Hoskins (Vanderbilt)
With seconds left before halftime, Hoskins made an 18-yard touchdown reception from Pavia. This pivotal play reestablished Vanderbilt's lead, providing a psychological and score advantage heading into the third quarter.
Brock Taylor (Vanderbilt)
With composure under pressure, Taylor booted a 49-yard field goal to extend the lead, demonstrating his reliability and the team's effective use of field positions to secure points when drives stalled.
Brock Vandagriff (Kentucky)
Vandagriff narrowed the scoreboard gap with a crucial 22-yard touchdown to Dane Key, injecting urgency into Kentucky's late-game charge, but ultimately their comeback bid was thwarted by turnovers and penalties.
De'Rickey Wright (Vanderbilt)
In a crucial defensive stand, Wright intercepted a poor snap during a Kentucky field goal attempt, a game-changing play halting Kentucky's momentum and exemplifying Vanderbilt's opportunistic defense.
Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt, QB)
Pavia efficiently led Vanderbilt with 143 passing yards and two touchdowns while managing to rush for 53 yards, despite briefly leaving the game due to a knee injury. His ability to play with such composure following a significant victory over Alabama showcased his leadership and talent.
Brock Taylor (Vanderbilt, K)
Taylor was a dependable force for the Commodores, demonstrating extraordinary range with successful field goals from 49 and 50 yards. His accuracy was pivotal in keeping Vanderbilt ahead amid Kentucky's attempts to rally.
Dane Key (Kentucky, WR)
Emerging as a dependable target, Key caught eight passes for 81 yards and scored a vital touchdown. His contributions kept Kentucky in contention and highlighted his potential for future professional prospects.
De'Rickey Wright (Vanderbilt, DB)
Wright played a crucial role in Vanderbilt's victory with a key interception that prevented a potential Kentucky score, underscoring his defensive awareness and impact in high-pressure situations.
Vanderbilt Commodores
7
7
3
3
20
Kentucky Wildcats
0
7
0
6
13
