3 reasons why Kentucky Wildcats lost to Vanderbilt Commodores in Week 7
The Kentucky Wildcats suffered their third loss of the season, and their third loss of Southeastern Conference play, in Week 7 as they fell 20-13 to the Vanderbilt Commodores. The Wildcats fell to 3-3 with the loss, while the Commodores improved to 4-2.
Kentucky never led in the game and spent the entire second half trailing despite playing in front of a home crowd and being well rested coming off a bye week.
Take a look at three reasons the Wildcats were unable to emerge victorious against their conference rivals below.
3 reasons why Kentucky Wildcats lost to Vanderbilt Commodores in Week 7
#1: Penalties
The Kentucky Wildcats could not get out of their way in their Week 7 loss to the Vanderbilt Commodores. They finished with 12 penalties, accounting for 105 penalty yards. The issue plagued them throughout the game, including on their final drive where they lost 30 yards to penalty as they attempted to even up the score.
They advanced the ball to their own 41-yard line but were unable to convert a fourth and 21. Without the penalties, the final drive, and the game as a whole, could've been a lot different.
#2: Brutal turnovers
The Kentucky Wildcats had two turnovers in Week 7, however, both took them out of scoring opportunities. The first turnover came as Dane Key fumbled on second and eight from the Vanderbilt Commodores 32-yard line.
The second came as holder Wilson Berry could not handle a fourth down snap from the opponents five-yard line and threw an interception trying to salvage the play rather than kicking a field goal. Instead of getting at least six points on the two drives, Kentucky walked away with nothing.
#3: Special teams errors
The fourth down field goal attempt was not the only error Berry made on special teams. Following the Wildcats' second touchdown, he botched another snap leading to post points. In addition to the six points lost by brutal turnovers on the Commodores side of the field, the Wildcats cost themselves at least seven points.