Tennessee Volunteers Defeat Kentucky Wildcats
The Tennessee Volunteers took down Kentucky in a 49-36 win Saturday, their 31st out of the last 32 meetings with the Wildcats. The Vols defense had issues with the Wildcats rush attack, but the offense was unstoppable. Alvin Kamara and Cam Sutton returned to the field for the Vols, exciting its beloved fan base.
Josh Dobbs and Company
Senior quarterback Josh Dobbs, as he usually does, tore up the Wildcat defense to go 4-0 against Kentucky in his career. He had 370 yards and five touchdowns. Three of those passing and two of them rushing. Dobbs now has 1,242 yards and 16 touchdowns in his career against Kentucky. He had a season high 147 yards rushing and 223 yards passing.
In Alvin Kamara’s return, he didn’t let Volnation down. He would run for a season high 128 yards and two touchdowns. Also should be noted, sophomore running back John Kelly, had another solid performance. He would finish with 94 yards rushing on 16 carries. Dobbs, Kamara and Kelly would combine for 369 yards rushing. The team had 376 yards rushing total.
Game Play
The Wildcats would go up 7-0 very quick in the first quarter, and then again 10-7, but after that it was all Tennessee. Both teams would have a combined 1,204 total yards, 789 rushing. Tennessee finished with 599 yards; Kentucky finished with 635. In a 49-36 defeat, Tennessee really put this game away in the fourth quarter going up 49-22 with 7:12 to go. As well-equipped as Kentucky’s offense was, Tennessee would find ways to hold Kentucky to field goals in the first half, which would be the difference in this game.
Derek Barnett for the Vols had his 10th sack on the year. That is the most in the SEC and 7th in the nation. It would be Barnett’s 30th sack of his career. That is the most in the nation and is two away from tying legendary Reggie White with 32.
SEC East Hopes
The East division is still well in reach for Tennessee. To win the division, they must win their next two against Missouri and at Vanderbilt, in addition to Florida lossing to LSU. On the other hand, all Florida has to do to win the division is defeat LSU.
Tennessee’s offense seems to be getting back on track against an SEC foe again. The Vols struggled against Alabama (but who hasn’t struggled against Alabama?), but the performance at South Carolina was very concerning. In the Kentucky game, the Vols had drives of 83, 75, 79, 92 and 96 yards.
Tennessee will take on Missouri next Saturday at 3:30 on CBS, looking to win their second straight against the Tigers.
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