No. 7 Volunteers Defeat Kentucky 28-18 in Close Game

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The No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers (7-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) defeated the Kentucky Wildcats (3-6, 1-6) 28-18 in a hard-fought close game on Nov. 2 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. This game was highlighted by the performances of Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava and running back Dylan Sampson. Iamaleava completed 28-of-38 passes for 292 yards and a touchdown, while Sampson had 27 carries for 141 yards and 2 touchdowns. These two were the main reason that the Volunteers emerged victorious in this one.

Game Summary

This one started off sloppy for both teams as the Wildcats turned the ball over on downs after six plays. Then, the Volunteers missed a 43-yard field goal 10 plays later.

Kentucky responded to the missed field goal by going down the field in six plays and 75 yards. Quarterback Brock Vandagriff found tight end Josh Kattus for a 27-yard touchdown and the Wildcats led 7-0.

Tennessee finally found some offense late in the second quarter as they drove down the field in 14 plays and 64 yards for the tying touchdown. Running back Peyton Lewis found the end zone from 1 yard out to tie the game at 7-7.

The Wildcats quickly answered back right before the half as kicker Alex Raynor made a 32-yard field goal to give the Wildcats a 10-7 lead going into the half.

Volunteers Grab Lead

Neither team started the second half well as the Volunteers missed a field goal and the Wildcats fumbled the ball away.

On Tennessee's ensuing possession after the fumble, it quickly went five plays and 28 yards for a TD. Sampson ran it in from 7 yards out to give his team a 14-10 lead.

Late in the third quarter, Kentucky looked like it was poised to take the lead. But backup quarterback Gavin Wimsatt threw an interception to the Volunteers' Will Brooks. Two plays later, Tennessee was in the end zone again as Iamaleava found tight end Miles Kitselman from 6 yards out for a 21-10 lead.

The Volunteers scored on one more TD drive after the Wildcats made it a 21-18 game. Sampson ran it in from 6 yards out after a long 13-play, 91-yard drive to put Tennessee ahead for good 28-18.

Turning Point

The true turning point was the Volunteers' last touchdown drive. It was a long drive where they went the whole length of the field, made the Kentucky defense tired and truly put this one out of reach.

What It Means

For the Wildcats, they thought this one was in reach at 21-18. But Kentucky's defense was tired and could not find enough answers for the Volunteers. Up next, the Wildcats will have a bye week.

For the Volunteers, this was a nice SEC win for them as things got a bit close at the end of the game. But Tennessee pulled it off and got out of Knoxville with a win. Up next, the Volunteers will face the Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-7, 0-5) at a to-be-determined time on Nov. 9 from Neyland Stadium.