LIVE BLOG: Kentucky vs. Tennessee Tech

FINAL: Kentucky 42, Tennessee Tech 10

There were some leaky moments on defense, but Kentucky’s offense was outstanding from the start. The Cats (5-5, 2-5) will head to Nashville next week for Diego Pavia’s senior day.

Kentucky cannot finish this red zone drive

The Cats had a nice drive cooking that included a fourth down conversion when Brennen Ward found DJ Miller on the left sideline. Unfortunately, Miller could not hold onto a touchdown grab a few plays later. Kentucky turns it over on downs inside the five.

This one is almost over.

We have a new quarterback — it isn’t Zach Calzada or Beau Allen

Kentucky has put the backups into the game on offense after the defense forced another three-and-out. True freshman Brennen Ward is in at quarterback. Looks like we won’t see Zach Calzada this week.

Dante Dowdell scores finds the endzone on another explosive run

The Nebraska transfer continues to produce big plays. Dante Dowdell carries the ball three times for 42 yards on that drive. The possession ends on a 19-yard touchdown run.

Dowdell now has a game-high 87 rushing yards. This one is all Big Blue.

Kentucky Slams Shut Back Door

It looked like the Golden Eagles had one more scoring drive in ’em to potentially sneak in a backdoor cover. Not so fast my friend. The passing attack got slowed down by a couple of impressive plays from Sack ‘Em Soles. The turnover on downs gives the ball back to UK with 13 minutes to play.

No! No! No! Yes! Touchdown Throw by Boley

It looked like Cutter Boley was about to make two huge mistakes in a row. Kentucky had already converted two fourth downs to get into field goal range. That’s when the Cats tried to take a shot to the end zone. Boley took a sack that lost about 12 yards and pushed UK out of field goal range.

Hamdan was ready to give Boley another chance. The quarterback threw it to Hardley Gilmore, who had two defenders closing in. It looked like an interception waiting to happen. Boley split the defenders. It was a jaw-dropping throw that was right on the money to Gilmore. No. 17 sprinted to the end zone for a 45-yard touchdown pass.

Tennessee Tech Strikes First

Kentucky went three-and-out to start the second half. Quintell Quinn had a couple of big runs to get Tennessee Tech within striking range. Like so many times before, it wasn’t good enough to get into the end zone. Kentucky stuffed a third-down run. Tennessee Tech lined up to go for it on fourth and 5, but they took a delay of game penalty. Rather than risk it on 4th and 10, they elected to kick a 38-yard field goal that split the uprights.

Kentucky leads 28-10 with 9:15 to go in the third quarter.

Leaping Leprachauns!

This hurdle helped Kentucky punch in a fourth touchdown right before halftime. If I’m Kendrick Law, this is getting framed.

Great company for Seth McGowan

The tailback rushed for three touchdowns in the first half. That gives Seth McGowan 12 total touchdowns this season. That’s special company. Only Ray Davis (21 in 2023), Benny Snell Jr. (19 in 2017, 16 in 2018), and Chris Rodriguez Jr. (12 in 2021) have reached that number in the Mark Stoops era.

The New Mexico State transfer is having a big season for the Cats.

A dominant half from Kentucky’s offense

Tennessee Tech plays a brand of football that has given Kentucky’s defense problems all season. That has shown up in the first half. Luckily, Kentucky’s offense is making sure that doesn’t matter. The Cats scored 28 points in five possessions and are constantly playing ahead of the chains.

Halftime Stats

Touchdown Kentucky!

The 2-minute offense is a joy to watch when Cutter Boley is dialed in. A big kickoff return by Kendrick Law, and a Tennessee Tech late hit, gave the Cats a short field. Explosive plays to Law and Maclin set up Seth McGowan’s third rushing touchdown of the game.

Kentucky leads 28-7 and gets the ball first to start the second half.

QB Scrambles Kill the Cats

Kekoa Visperas has some wiggle. He used that juice to scramble for a 21-yard gain. That got the ball rolling for Tennessee Tech. He kept scrambling until the Golden Eagles got in the red zone. It looked like Kentucky was on its way to another red zone stop when Visperas’ bootleg got an open target on fourth down.

Tennessee Tech cut it to 21-7 with 1:18 to play. Let’s see if Boley can get more points on the board. Cats have one timeout remaining.

Kentucky Leads 21-0

Kentucky turned Cam Dooley’s interception into a three-touchdown lead. The Cats methodically moved the ball down the field on the windy afternoon at Kroger Field, going 51 yards in 9 plays as Seth McGowan scored his second touchdown of the day.

Welcome to The Show, Cam Dooley

Cam Dooley has played all season long, but earned his first starting assignment today after Jordan Lovett suffered a season-ending injury against Florida. The ball was tipped, and Dooley slid underneath it for a diving interception, the first of his career.

Aidan Laros Finally has to Go to Work

It had been a nice 9 quarters for Aidan Laros. He had not punted since the Auburn game. Unfortunately, holding calls prevented Kentucky from delivering a dagger. It’s Tech ball at their own 20-yard line with just under 10 minutes until halftime.

Kentucky Defense Gets a Stop!

It wasn’t as easy as the first two three-and-outs. Tech got a 29-yard chunk play through the air to close out the first quarter. The Golden Eagles drove all the way down to the 15-yard line before the Cats bowed up and stuffed the run. Tennessee Tech attempted a chip shot field goal, but the 32-yard attempt was off target, preserving the shutout.

Waka Flock Flame is in the house

Big Blue Nation’s favorite hip hop artist is in the house for Senior Day. Are we getting a surprise halftime show?

Another Angle of that Score

You’re going to want to watch this play again and again and again.

Is that Michael Vick?

Cutter Boley Does It All

Nothing was open downfield, so Cutter decided to go for a jog. I didn’t think he was going to get the corner. He got it, then sprinted 28 yards down the sideline. Defenders were waiting near the goal line. He lowered his shoulder and punched it into the end zone. What a freaking play. This guy is the truth.

Great Play by Gusta

Visperas is great on his feet. The Tennessee Tech quarterback tried to scramble, but David Gusta showed some athleticism in containment and forced him to stay in the pocket. Visperas tried to run to the other side of the field, but nothing was there. JQ Hardaway is credited with the sack that forced a Tech punt, one that was shanked. Kentucky gets the ball at the 41-yard line.

What a Beautiful Ball

It’s Boley’s fourth pass of 40+ yards this season.

Touchdown Kentucky!

Seth McGowan touched the ball on the first six snaps before the Cats opened it up. Cutter Boley hit Henry Boyer on a first-down throw. Then the Cats took a deep shot to Kendrick Law for a gain of 43, setting up McGowan’s 1-yard touchdown. That 11-play, 88-yard touchdown drive took 6:37 off the clock.

Senior Day at Kroger Field

Quick 3-and-Out

Nothing was doing on the first Tennessee Tech drive. They gained five yards on the ground in the first two plays before throwing it out of bounds on third down.

Kendrick Law was back to return a booming punt and lost yards. Kentucky starts its first drive from the 12-yard line.

Game Time

Kentucky won the toss and elected to defer. It’s Football Time in the Bluegrass.

Injury Updates

It’s a non-SEC game, so we don’t get an official report. Our eyeballs must do a little extra work. Cornerback Terhyon Nichols will be sidelined for his third straight game. DJ Waller is not dressed to play today. Tavion Gadson is dressed. It looks like the defensive lineman will play after missing last week’s game against Florida.

It’s a Very Windy Day at Kroger Field

We’re expecting some gusts up to 40 miles per hour at Kroger Field. It’s one thing to say it. To feel it is a different ballgame. Fans are going to leave with some windburn today. It’s not a great day to be a kicker. It’s TBD how much it will be felt on the field in the passing game.

Reminder: This game is on SEC Network+

Today’s game is on SEC Network+, aka “on the computer.” Thankfully, if you’re a YouTube TV subscriber and have SEC Network, your access should be restored on the ESPN app.

Bettors Backing Kentucky

The Wildcats opened as 21.5-point favorites. A couple of points have been added to it over on BetMGM.

Stanford Steve isn’t taking the bait. They were the ESPN analyst’s SuperDog on College GameDay.