This is becoming one of Stoops’ most disappointing seasons in Lexington.
Just when Kentucky Wildcats fans thought their team was competent, the Cats wasted no time proving them wrong in a 20-13 defeat by Vanderbilt on Saturday night.
The Wildcats not only were coming off a shocking victory over No. 6 Ole Miss but also had a bye week heading into their matchup with the Commodores.
Vanderbilt was coming off an emotionally draining, program-best win over No. 1 Alabama.
Saturday was the perfect spot for what should have been a “prepared” Kentucky team to take care of business against a Vanderbilt team that many would have thought would still be on cloud nine after taking down Alabama in Nashville.
Kentucky played decent on Saturday, but their performance was far from their best, and in the end, it cost them a much-needed victory as the Wildcats fell to 3-3 on the season (2-2 in conference play).
Here is the final box score from Saturday night’s game, along with the MVP and Twitter reactions.
Box Score
Game MVP
Where would Kentucky be without Dane Key? His eight catches for 81 yards and a touchdown on Saturday are just one of many reasons why he’s so valuable to Kentucky and their passing attack. When UK quarterback Brock Vandagriff targeted Key, he completed eight catches for 81 yards and a score on 11 attempts. However, he was 5-10 on other throws to other receivers.
Twitter Reactions
That’ll do it. A penalty nightmare. Kentucky is now 2-10 in their last dozen SEC home games.
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) October 13, 2024
Where is the Kentucky football program at right now?
Kentucky’s logo is getting stomped on by Vandy… https://t.co/BafjfA1RM4
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) October 13, 2024
There were stats that started looking like this for Calipari at the end. Not comparing the two programs but generally speaking fans are on a rollercoaster right now and that makes it hard for everyone. They’re not what they used to be under Stoops and haven’t been for a while… https://t.co/uzSrriRzvo
— Derek Terry (@DerekSTerry) October 13, 2024
Kentucky hasn’t scored more than two TDs against an SEC opponent in five games, dating back to last season…
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) October 13, 2024
Kentucky has lost its last six SEC games at Kroger Field. Its last win? Florida last season. The “Ray Davis Game.”
— Ryan Black (@RyanABlack) October 13, 2024
Work in progress. https://t.co/7KxvYo1V3B
— Aaron Gershon (@agershon99) October 13, 2024
Mark Stoops and Kentucky consistently find ways to cancel out success and momentum with bad performances. For every step they take in the right direction, they follow it with two steps back. Ole Miss was fun but how you follow it says more about you.
— Shawn Smith (@_CoachSSmith) October 13, 2024
Mark Stoops is going to win you some games you should lose and lose you some games you should win. The Stoops Paradox™️.
— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) October 13, 2024
People aren’t ponying up when you lose two straight home games to Vanderbilt…
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) October 13, 2024
Vanderbilt players have come back out on the field, standing and sitting on the “UK” logo taking pictures.
One player stomped and kicked the logo. #BBN @FOX56News pic.twitter.com/DWTCBNI6LR
— Michael Epps (@MichaelEppsTV) October 13, 2024
It’s Jon Sumrall time folks.
— Ethan DeWitt (@EthanDeWitt1) October 13, 2024
Here is the press conference comments ahead of time so you don’t have to stay up.
“I’m mad as hell. We had good practices, but for whatever reason we didn’t perform. Some of the blame falls on us as a coaching staff. We got to look ahead and improve, the season is over yet.”— Mike Willis (@michael_willis1) October 13, 2024
Stoops: “I’m very disappointed in myself and our staff.”
— Aaron Gershon (@agershon99) October 13, 2024
This is what happens when you have zero leaders and an opposing team that would rather die than lose.
— Kash Daniel (@KashDaniel15) October 13, 2024
That last one…oof.