It started badly. Then it got worse. Then, somehow, it got better. The first half of Kentucky versus Tennessee at Kroger Field was a rollercoaster of baffling mistakes, explosive plays, and sheer unpredictability, leaving the Wildcats trailing but surprisingly still in the fight.
After 30 minutes of absolute madness, Tennessee leads Kentucky 35-21.
A nightmare start for the Cats
The Vols came out firing, marching 75 yards in just 4 plays on their opening drive for a quick 7-0 lead. Kentucky's offense sputtered early, going three-and-out. Things truly unraveled on the Wildcats' second possession. Facing pressure, freshman quarterback Cutter Boley tried to hit his hot route, but Tennessee’s Edrees Farooq tipped the pass, intercepted it, and returned it 45 yards for a devastating pick-six. Just like that, it was 14-0.
Cue the Keystone Cops
If the pick-six wasn't bad enough, Kentucky's next possession descended into pure slapstick comedy. After Boley hit Hardley Gilmore near midfield, Gilmore attempted a lateral to Ja'Mori Maclin as he was tackled. The ensuing scramble was pure chaos: Maclin couldn't handle it, the ball bounced off legs, offensive linemen whiffed on the recovery, and Maclin finally picked it up only to fumble again. Tennessee recovered deep in UK territory.
"It doesn't matter if we can't handle the ball... been very sloppy," a frustrated Mark Stoops said on the sideline, referencing both turnovers. Tennessee capitalized immediately, with DeSean Bishop scoring to make it 28-7.
Boley battles back
Despite the disastrous start and the mounting deficit, Cutter Boley didn't fold. The freshman quarterback showed remarkable resilience, connecting with DJ Miller on a gorgeous 56-yard touchdown pass to keep hope alive. Then, late in the half, he engineered a monster 16-play, 96-yard drive that consumed 8 minutes and 35 seconds, culminating in his third touchdown pass of the half (this one to JJ Hester) to pull the Wildcats within seven points just before the break.
But the Vols went right down the field as easy as you'd like. A 10-play 75 yard drive in 1:32 for another touchdown. Kentucky gets the ball out of halftime and they are going to need to battle back again.
Halftime Stats Snapshot
- Score: Tennessee 28, Kentucky 21
- Total Yards: Kentucky 282, Tennessee 164
- Passing: Cutter Boley (UK) 13/19, 197 Yds, 3 TD, 1 INT; Joey Aguilar (TENN) 14/18, 210 Yds, 2 TD
- Rushing: Jason Patterson (UK) 8 car, 25 yds; Star Thomas (TENN) 5 car, 25 yds, 1 TD
- Turnovers: Kentucky 2 (1 INT, 1 FUM), Tennessee 0
- Time of Possession: Kentucky 18:23 min, Tennessee 11:32 min
Kentucky somehow heads into the locker room having outgained Tennessee, but just like last week, trailing. Can they clean up the mistakes and complete the comeback, or will the early blunders prove too much to overcome? The second half promises more drama.
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