Kentucky Defense Can't Lose the Bad Taste from the Tennessee Loss

Oct 25, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Chris Brazzell II (17) catches a pass during the third quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

In three of the last four games, the Kentucky defense has not allowed a scoring drive of more than 40 yards. Opponents only have a chance at scoring if they create turnovers or big plays on special teams. Even then, Kentucky still only gave up 23 points in regulation to Texas, Auburn, and Florida.

There’s one big exception: Tennessee.

Kentucky simply had no answers for Josh Heupel‘s offense when the Vols came to Kroger Field. Tennessee had five touchdown drives in five plays or less, completed five passes of 35+ yards, and finished the night with 56 points in a 22-point win. To call it a humbling performance would be an understatement, but it’s one Brad White doesn’t want his defense to forget.

“I know I still taste it, and I hope everybody in that locker room still does, because as soon as you lose that taste, and you think you’ve made it and everything tastes sweet, you’re about to get humbled again,” the defensive coordinator said after the Florida win.

Even though an FCS opponent is up next, Tennessee Tech certainly has the offensive firepower to humble this defense. The Golden Eagles are the top-scoring team in the FCS, averaging 45.2 points per game while tallying more than 450 yards of offense per game.

“The thing that I think that we’ve done over the last two weeks is we’ve played with a little bit of a chip on our shoulder, and we need to keep that chip,” said White. “We need to keep that aggression and effort, and violence.”

The Key to Keeping the Kentucky Defense Alert

Kentucky is stacking up wins. That hasn’t happened often in recent years. This program regularly takes two steps forward, then one back. In order to salvage what seemed like a broken season, Kentucky must build on this momentum.

That’s stating the obvious, but it’s much easier said than done. To keep his defense locked in, Mark Stoops believes his players must have a healthy fear of every opponent. They need to know that at any given moment, the other team can turn the game upside down.

Get the Daily On3 Newsletter in your inbox every morning

By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.

“I think you have to have a sense of fear. And don’t misquote me, like I’m afraid of anything. You think I’m afraid? Let’s go to the alley,” said Stoops.

“But, you have to play with a fear that way. Does that make sense? You have to play on edge, and with a sense of fear, with an alertness to you on defense or you will be hurt. It happens all the time.”

The fear of God is a powerful thing; so is hope. That’s what Kentucky has right now, and plenty of momentum.

“I think a lot of people left this team for dead a couple of weeks ago,” said White. “They said it, not the coaches, the players said it. We can get this thing going if we can knock the pebble out and let the boulder start rolling down the hill, get some momentum, and see where it leads.”