Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt After Action Review

An After Action Review, or AAR for short, is a military process used to analyze what happened, why it happened, and how it can be done better. Thanks to our friends at the Kentucky Army National Guard, KSR applies that concept to analyze how the Wildcats fared against its most recent opponent. Here is the breakdown of pregame goals compared to results against Vanderbilt.

B.L.U.F. (Bottom Line Up Front)

Kentucky beat Vanderbilt 34-17 to extend its record to 7-3, 5-3 in the SEC. The Wildcats clinched sole possession of second place in the SEC East.

OFFENSE

Saturday’s game was a tale of two halves. I’m fairly sure that phrase has been used several hundred times since the final buzzer sounded. But, it’s true. Liam Coen’s unit started the game red-hot by scoring 31 first-half points. UK rolled up 278 total yards and averaged 10 yards per snap. The ‘Cats were balanced in the first two quarters after throwing for 156 yards and running for 122.

The second half was not as fruitful. The Wildcats managed 135 yards and scored three points. In actuality, Kentucky didn’t have many chances. The ‘Cats managed just four possessions in the second half. The first went 12 yards and resulted in a punt. The second was a 14-play, 61-yard scoring drive that ended in a Matt Ruffolo field goal. The third resulted in 20 yards before a Collin Goodfellow punt. The fourth and final drive was a game-ending series that finished with Will Levis kneeling in victory formation.

Kentucky’s offensive inefficiencies actually started in the final two drives of the first half. Two failed Red Zone fade routes led to a field goal and were followed by an inept two-minute drive that culminated in a Hail Mary interception in the end zone.

Overall, Kentucky finished with 413 total yards and averaged 8 yards per play. While not the explosion that it experienced against Tennessee a week ago, UK showed first half flashes of a big-play offense led by a confident quarterback and an All-SEC runner. The Wildcats racked up 21 first downs but struggled on third down after converting 33%. Let’s take a look how UK fared against pregame goals.

Create the Environment

YES. That stadium can be a structural melatonin. Kentucky didn’t fall into that road trap by blazing 31 first-half points. I wrote about the need for a fast start on Saturday.

Liam Coen will need to manufacture excitement during the early onset of the contest in order to create the preferred tempo for his offense.

The Wildcats set the tone early and took advantage of Vanderbilt’s predisposition of allowing explosive plays. UK did not face a third-down attempt until just over four minutes remaining in the second quarter. Chris Rodriguez Jr. was purposeful and powerful after rolling for 114 yards.

Protect the Football

YES. Vanderbilt had created 13 turnovers going into Saturday’s matchup. That number was good enough for second in the SEC. The Wildcat’s -12 turnover margin ranked 129^th in the nation. There was a legitimate concern. A Will Levis Hail Mary interception on the first half’s last play was UK’s only turnover of the football game.

Hit Homeruns

YES. Kentucky took advantage of a Vandy defense that allows big plays. Levis averaged 12 yards per completion. Chris Rodriguez Jr. had a long run of 30 yards. JuTahn McClain rumbled for a 22-yard gain. Three pass-catchers managed at least on reception that exceeded 20 yards: Wan’Dale Robinson (39), Izayah Cummings (22), and Josh Ali (24). Homeruns referred to explosive plays and UK checked this box.

DEFENSE

Kentucky was dominated by Tennessee’s warp-speed tempo and explosion a week ago. Vanderbilt didn’t present the same matchup challenges. Much like the offense, the Kentucky defense experienced an efficient first half. It held the home team to 105 total yards, six first downs, and three points. VU averaged 3.5 yards per play before halftime.

The Commodores enjoyed more success in the second-half following a quarterback change. Mike Wright took over the offense and led his team to 14 points. The game’s outcome was never in doubt. But, Vandy’s 161 second-half yards felt condemning but in actuality, UK limited the Commodores to 4.5 yards per play. October and the first portion of November were tough for Brad White’s defense. But, back to expectation management. The Wildcats are currently the SEC’s 5^thranked total defense. Let’s see how the ‘Cats performed in relation to pregame goals.

Be Opposite

YES. This objective referred to UK’s performance against Tennessee. Here is an excerpt from my pregame post outlining what UK had to do in order to beat Vanderbilt.

The Volunteers scored on its first play of the game on a screen pass that featured missed tackles and unfitting leverage. The UK defense needs a positive, game-changing play in the first quarter. This could come in the form of an interception, strip-sack, or any other happening that would serve as a momentum-inducing moment. In other words, this defense needs a confidence boost in the worst way. Holding VU to less than five yards per play would be winning football.

Jalen Geiger’s pick-6 fit this goal. Six tackles for loss and four quarterback sacks were also positives. Kentucky limited VU to 4.5 yards per play which also met the pregame objective of five or less. The Commodores were averaging 301 total yards and 15 points per outing. It gained 266 and scored 17 on Saturday.

Defend Passes

NO. Geiger’s interception was much needed. Cornerback Carrington Valentine registered a pass breakup. Vanderbilt quarterbacks entered Saturday’s contest completing 54% of their passes. Ken Seals and Mike Wright combined for a 69% completion percentage against Kentucky.

TACKLE, TACKLE, TACKLE

YES. Kentucky wasn’t perfect in this category but showed improvement.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Saturday’s goal was simple.

Just Be Sound

YES. No game-altering mistakes in the third phase for Kentucky.

What Does All This Mean?

There’s no need to apologize for a 7-3 record. The same can be said of finishing 5-3 in the SEC. There are two ways to evaluate the 2021 Wildcats through this point in the season. One is that UK missed out on a magical season after dropping three consecutive games including losses to Mississippi State and Tennessee. The other perspective is that the Wildcats should be commended for a 7-3 record with multiple defensive injuries and personnel issues that can’t be addressed until the 2022 season. I lean towards the latter.

Grumblings following a 17-point, SEC road win that secured sole possession of second place in the East is a sign of program growth. The BBN wants more. The same can be said of the players and coaches. Strength of schedule is a topic of discussion. I’ve been in the stands and on the field when Kentucky was shellacked by multiple Top-10 opponents.

Again, no apology required about opponent’s struggles. Life and football can be appraised by expectation management. The fact that the internal and external stakes are rising is encouraging. I’m a week-by-week type of analyst. What’s next? New Mexico State and Senior Day. Josh Paschal, Luke Fortner, and many more have earned a right to go out in style.

Please forgive me while I sunshine pump. The Cats are 7-3.

A message from the Kentucky Army National Guard, The Kentucky Army National Guard is YOUR Kentucky home team. The Soldiers of the Kentucky National Guard are your friends, neighbors, coworkers and classmates. We are from each county in Kentucky and we stand together to support our fellow Kentuckians in times of natural disaster and civil unrest. We also serve our nation at the direction of the president should the need for national defense arise. Soldiers in the Kentucky Army National Guard are able to take advantage of opportunities in education with trade skill training, student loan repayment and up to $60,000 in tuition assistance to state public universities while serving part time. Do you think you have what it takes to be a member of our team? For more information about joining the Kentucky Army National Guard, Text “KYGUARD” to 95577. Live Here, Serve Here, Kentucky Army National Guard.