Mark Stoops didn’t have a ton of answers after Kentucky’s 45-17 loss at Vanderbilt. The Commodores were in control from the start, with Diego Pavia totaling over 500 yards and six touchdowns against a banged-up Kentucky defense. The Cats simply couldn’t keep up, dropping their record to 5-6 ahead of next week’s showdown with Louisville in the Governor’s Cup with bowl eligibility on the line.
“A really tough game, obviously a very discouraging performance by us, and not very good,” Stoops said to open his postgame press conference. “I have to credit them. That’s a very good football team in all areas. Very physical. a team that’s definitely worthy of being in the playoffs, with a quarterback that is something else, that’s for sure. Super good football player. They had a great plan, and when that plan breaks down, he makes plays.
If there was anything good to take from today, it’s that Cutter Boley is not seriously hurt. Kentucky’s star quarterback went down with a neck injury in the second quarter, but after some time in the injury tent, he came in on the next possession and finished the game, leading two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter. Hopefully, the other injured Cats can summon the same healing powers in time for the Governor’s Cup, especially Alex Afari, who Stoops said was close to playing today.
“I think you’ve heard me through the years, I’m not into flushing games because we’re going to own our stuff. We’re going to look in the mirror, and we’re going to accept the responsibility where we need to, and we always will.
“It’s not a good feeling. We’ve got our butts beat, and it still counts as one loss, so we’ve got to regroup quick and get ready to play next week.”
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