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The Kentucky Wildcats improved to 3-4 on the season on Saturday by taking down the visiting Vanderbilt Commodores. Behind a balanced attack and contributions from many skill players on offense, Kentucky picked up the 38-35 victory in a game dedicated to John Schlarman, who passed away earlier in the week.
For an offense that struggled to gain yards, let alone points, against Missouri and Georgia, spreading the ball around and putting up 38 points is a huge statement for the Wildcats. The offensive play calling seemed to open up a bit, as Kentucky had 10 different players catch passes, including touchdown receptions by tight ends Justin Rigg and Keaton Upshaw.
However, the defense did not take such a step forward. Giving up 35 points to this team is certainly not a good luck, including surrendering three passing touchdowns after giving up zero in the last two weeks. Brad White has a lot of work to do getting this unit back in line with their potential heading into a very challenging stretch of the schedule.
The Wildcats now look ahead to Alabama and Florida in back to back weeks in hopes of getting back to .500 for the season. But with so much uncertainty in scheduling, it is unclear whether or not we will even see the teams get to team games.
Regardless of who and when Kentucky plays next, they have to feel better about their offense after finding success in every facet of the game against Vanderbilt. (Yes, I know it is Vanderbilt. It is also 2020, so any success should be acknowledged).
Box Score
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MVP
Terry Wilson was 13 for 15 passing and threw for 110 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 83 yards on seven carries, including a 32 yard touchdown run. Coming into the game on Saturday, there was certainly skepticism as to whether or not Wilson would even be the starter. But aside from one fumbled that was recovered by the Wildcats, Terry played almost a perfect game.
Perhaps more impressive than his passer rating of 192.3 was his decision-making, both in his reads in the run game and in marking smart decisions throwing the football. Wilson managed the game like the veteran that he is, and he performed like the Terry Touchdown persona we all expected coming into the season. Not to downplay the performance of Chris Rodriguez, who rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns, but Terry Wilson was the MVP on Saturday.
Highlights
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