Before the game, Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White joked that the only way to slow down Tennessee’s explosive receivers was to "pull the fire alarm" the night before and hope they got the flu. He wasn't entirely wrong. He just wasn't expecting his own defense to get absolutely torched over and over again. Yet, they did.
In a performance that felt like rock bottom for the Mark Stoops era, Tennessee carved up Kentucky like a Thanksgiving turkey, and it is not even Halloween yet. The Vols rolled to a 56-34 victory Saturday night at a rapidly emptying Kroger Field. The loss marks Kentucky’s 10th consecutive SEC home defeat, a streak dripping with frustration and ineptitude.
Defensive collapse of historic proportions
The Volunteers didn't just win; they dominated. Tennessee racked up 504 total yards of offense, relentlessly attacking a Kentucky defense that looked lost from the opening kickoff. Quarterback Joey Aguilar was nearly perfect, throwing for 396 yards and 3 touchdowns on just 26 attempts, connecting on deep shots seemingly at will.
The 56 points surrendered by Kentucky were the most allowed to Tennessee since 2000. It was a complete defensive meltdown, validating White’s pregame fears in the worst possible way. Tennessee scored touchdowns on eight of their drives, moving the ball with terrifying ease.
Too little, too late offense
Ironically, Kentucky's offense finally showed signs of life, albeit far too late. The Wildcats scored 34 points, the most they've managed in a game under offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan, and totaled 476 yards. Cutter Boley accounted for five touchdowns (a career high) and threw for 330 yards. He looked like a future star, but he needs a new coaching staff.
However, the promising offensive output was completely overshadowed by two catastrophic first-half turnovers. Boley threw a pick-six early, and a bizarre sequence involving a botched lateral attempt led to another fumble deep in UK territory. Tennessee capitalized on both mistakes, jumping out to a lead Kentucky could never overcome despite their improved second-half scoring.
The Kroger Field exodus
Big Blue Nation showed up again, filling Kroger Field hoping for a breakthrough. By the start of the fourth quarter, large sections of the stadium were empty. The familiar, grating sounds of "Rocky Top" echoed through the stands as fans headed for the exits, resigned to another embarrassing home loss.
Tennessee even took a knee inside the Kentucky red zone on their final possession, mercifully ending the game instead of potentially pushing the score past 60. That gesture, while perhaps sportsmanlike, felt like its own form of humiliation.
Where does Kentucky go from here?
This loss feels different. It wasn't a close heartbreak like the Texas game; it was a non-competitive blowout against a rival on home turf. The defense, long Stoops' calling card, was shredded. The home losing streak reached double digits. Fan apathy is palpable. The stadium was empty outside of the fans in orange who remained.
If this performance, a historic defensive failure resulting in a tenth straight SEC home loss, with fans abandoning the stadium en masse, doesn't force Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart to fire Mark Stoops, one has to ask what possibly could?
There is zero way this program will be successful under Mark Stoops with the way things are going. Do the right thing Mitch.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion