LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Vanderbilt football fell on the road, 34-17, to No. 12/12 Kentucky on Saturday night at Kroger Field.
The Commodores (3-5, 0-5 SEC) held a 10-0 lead in the second quarter, but the Wildcats (7-1, 4-1 SEC) scored four touchdowns and two field goals on their final six drives to pick up their sixth consecutive victory.
Kenny Minchey was 19-for-26 for 203 yards and a touchdown, connecting with seven different Kentucky receivers. Javontae Barnes and Jason Patterson carried the load on the ground, combining for 112 yards on 27 carries as the Wildcats finished with 173 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Jared Curtis finished 27-for-36 for 247 yards, throwing two touchdowns and an interception. Junior Sherrill's eight-catch, 78-yard performance moved him up to seventh all-time in receptions at Vanderbilt (152).
Vanderbilt was on the scoreboard first, using a 45-yard punt return from Martel Hight and a 30-yard field goal from Brock Taylor to take a 3-0 lead. After the Commodore defense forced another three-and-out, the offense marched on a 16-play, 95-yard drive that lasted 8:55 and ended with a three-yard touchdown reception from Jayvontay Conner.
Kentucky responded with two consecutive touchdown drives of 75-plus yards, taking a 14-10 lead into halftime. Another 75-yard drive out of the break ended with a Brennen Ward rushing touchdown to extend the Wildcats' lead to 11.
Facing 4th-and-3 at the UK 34-yard line, Curtis connected downfield with Ja'Cory Thomas for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to four. Kentucky kicked a field goal on the ensuing drive, and the Wildcat defense forced turnovers on two consecutive drives to close the game on a 13-0 run.
The Dores will have a bye week before heading to Mississippi State on November 7.