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UK |
TENN |
No. 7 Tennessee focuses on preparation ahead of matchup vs. Kentucky
No. 7 Tennessee focuses on preparation ahead of matchup vs. Kentucky
Tennessee has five games remaining in its regular season, and coach Josh Heupel would prefer to avoid discussion about the 12-team postseason playoff.
Of course, that's a hard issue to sidestep these days.
What Heupel knows is that the No. 7 Volunteers need to keep winning and can't avoid a stumble when they battle Kentucky on Saturday night in Southeastern Conference play at Knoxville, Tenn.
Tennessee (6-1, 3-1 SEC) was upset by Arkansas on Oct. 5 and has a mid-November matchup at No. 2 Georgia. So leaving the field victorious this weekend is paramount as the Volunteers look to brighten their resume.
"You make your case by going and controlling what you control, which is your performance on Saturdays," Heupel said Monday at his press conference. "Your preparation takes you there. We're halfway through the conference schedule. There's a ton of football left.
"If you are worried about the end result, you're going to make the mistakes you can't afford on the way to the end. ... You guys hear me say it, players hear me say it: Good teams continue to get better. Our best football is still out in front of us, and we have to go chase that."
Tennessee is coming off a bye after posting a 24-17 home win over then-No. 7 Alabama on Oct. 19.
The Volunteers have won 36 of the past 39 meetings against Kentucky (3-5, 1-5), including one victory that was vacated due to NCAA sanctions.
The Wildcats have lost their past three games.
Kentucky fell 24-10 to visiting Auburn last Saturday as Jarquez Hunter shredded the Wildcats' defense with a career-high 278 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He had a 45-yard scoring run and non-scoring jaunts of 50 and 46 yards.
Wildcats defensive coordinator Brad White was direct on Monday when he and offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan handled the press conference duties with head coach Mark Stoops away to attend his mother's funeral.
"Collectively, we're all embarrassed by that performance, especially against the run," White said.
He said he expects an improvement this weekend despite Tennessee's long dominance of the series.
"Regardless of the team that we're playing on Saturday, we have to play better," White said. "We have to be efficient in terms of how we play defense. We can't have a couple of good plays, then we give up an explosive one."
Tennessee star running back Dylan Sampson likely will be eager to see the Kentucky defense on the field. He has topped 100 yards on six occasions this season, ranks third nationally with 17 rushing touchdowns and has 838 rushing yards.
The Volunteers' defense ranks third nationally in opponents' scoring (average of 11.6 points per game) and total defense (259 yards per game).
Linebacker Kalib Perry expects a big effort against the Wildcats, who are dealing with a quarterback quandary.
"When we give up points, we are not satisfied," Perry said. "It just makes us more hungry. We know it is just little things that go a long way in a game, so we cannot give the opponents a step."
Stoops pulled starting quarterback Brock Vandagriff at halftime against Auburn with the score tied at 10 after the junior threw for 120 yards and one interception on 9-of-17 passing.
However, backup Gavin Wimsatt fared even worse, going 3 of 10 for 34 yards and one interception. Kentucky didn't score in the second half.
Hamdan wasn't ready to anoint a starter on Monday.
"We're evaluating everything," he said. "We're getting back with those guys and want to get face-to-face with them. We'll address that moving forward."
--Field Level Media
Copyright 2024 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 4 | 5 |
Rushing | 1 | 1 |
Passing | 3 | 4 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 1-1 | 1-3 |
4th Down Conv | 0-1 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 141 | 96 |
Total Plays | 12 | 14 |
Avg Gain | 11.8 | 6.9 |
Net Yards Rushing | 57 | 12 |
Rush Attempts | 3 | 5 |
Avg Rush Yards | 19.0 | 2.4 |
Yards Passing | 84 | 84 |
Comp. - Att. | 6-9 | 7-9 |
Yards Per Pass | 9.3 | 8.0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 3-20 |
Touchdowns | 1 | 0 |
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 1 | 0 |
Other | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0.0 | 0-0.0 |
Return Yards | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
B. VandagriffÂ
12 QB
|
B. Vandagriff | 6/9 | 84 | 1 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
J. WilcoxÂ
10 RB
|
J. Wilcox | 2 | 52 | 0 | 50 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. VandagriffÂ
12 QB
|
B. Vandagriff | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
J. KattusÂ
84 TE
|
J. Kattus | 1 | 1 | 27 | 1 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
H. Gilmore IVÂ
17 WR
|
H. Gilmore IV | 1 | 1 | 25 | 0 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. KeyÂ
6 WR
|
D. Key | 4 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
B. BrownÂ
7 WR
|
B. Brown | 2 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. WilcoxÂ
10 RB
|
J. Wilcox | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
T. BryantÂ
14 DB
|
T. Bryant | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. HardawayÂ
6 DB
|
J. Hardaway | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. RybkaÂ
90 DL
|
T. Rybka | 2-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. ChildressÂ
11 DB
|
Z. Childress | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. LovettÂ
25 DB
|
J. Lovett | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Dumas-JohnsonÂ
2 LB
|
J. Dumas-Johnson | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. NicholsÂ
20 DB
|
T. Nichols | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. SilverÂ
9 DL
|
K. Silver | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
A. RaynorÂ
16 K
|
A. Raynor | 0/0 | 0 | 1/1 | 1 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
B. BrownÂ
7 WR
|
B. Brown | 1 | 3.0 | 3 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
N. IamaleavaÂ
8 QB
|
N. Iamaleava | 7/9 | 84 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
D. SampsonÂ
6 RB
|
D. Sampson | 4 | 16 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. IamaleavaÂ
8 QB
|
N. Iamaleava | 1 | -4 | 0 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
M. KitselmanÂ
87 TE
|
M. Kitselman | 2 | 2 | 48 | 0 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
B. McCoyÂ
5 WR
|
B. McCoy | 3 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. NimrodÂ
11 WR
|
C. Nimrod | 1 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Brazzell IIÂ
17 WR
|
C. Brazzell II | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
H. StaesÂ
19 TE
|
H. Staes | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
R. Gibson IIIÂ
1 DB
|
R. Gibson III | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. SimmonsÂ
10 DL
|
E. Simmons | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. TelanderÂ
22 LB
|
J. Telander | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. TurrentineÂ
2 DB
|
A. Turrentine | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. EasonÂ
20 DL
|
B. Eason | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. BaileyÂ
90 DL
|
D. Bailey | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. CharlesÂ
14 DB
|
C. Charles | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
M. GilbertÂ
90 K
|
M. Gilbert | 0/1 | 0 | 0/0 | 0 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | UK 23 | 3:04 | 6 | 71 | Downs |
7:55 | UK 25 | 2:27 | 6 | 75 | TD |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
11:56 | TENN 5 | 4:01 | 10 | 70 | FG Miss |
5:28 | TENN 25 | 1:48 | 5 | 11 |
Result | Play |
---|---|
No Gain | 3 & 14 - TENN 36 (3:51 - 1st) N.Iamaleava steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for C.Brazzell. |
+1 YD | 2 & 15 - TENN 35 (4:19 - 1st) D.Sampson rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by K.Silver at TEN 36. |
Penalty | 1 & 10 - TENN 40 (4:52 - 1st) N.Iamaleava pass complete. Catch made by H.Staes for yards. Tackled by KEN at KEN 45. PENALTY on TEN-H.Staes Illegal Touch Pass 5 yards accepted. No Play. |
+12 YD | 3 & 7 - TENN 28 (5:06 - 1st) N.Iamaleava pass complete. Catch made by C.Nimrod for 12 yards. Tackled by Z.Childress at TEN 40. |
No Gain | 2 & 7 - TENN 28 (5:07 - 1st) N.Iamaleava steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for B.McCoy. |
+3 YD | 1 & 10 - TENN 25 (5:28 - 1st) N.Iamaleava pass complete. Catch made by H.Staes for 3 yards. Tackled by T.Bryant at TEN 28. |
Kickoff | (5:28 - 1st) A.Laros kicks 65 yards from KEN 35 to the TEN End Zone. Touchback. |
 - Touchdown (6 plays, 75 yards, 2:27 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
PAT Good | (5:28 - 1st) A.Raynor extra point is good. |
+27 YD | 2 & 6 - TENN 27 (5:32 - 1st) B.Vandagriff pass complete. Catch made by J.Kattus for 27 yards. TOUCHDOWN. |
+4 YD | 1 & 10 - TENN 31 (6:10 - 1st) B.Vandagriff pass complete. Catch made by B.Brown for 4 yards. Tackled by R.Gibson at TEN 27. |
+17 YD | 3 & 8 - TENN 48 (6:45 - 1st) B.Vandagriff pass complete. Catch made by D.Key for 17 yards. Tackled by R.Gibson at TEN 31. PENALTY on TEN-TEN Defensive Pass Interference 15 yards declined. |
No Gain | 2 & 8 - TENN 48 (6:45 - 1st) B.Vandagriff steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for D.Key. |
+2 YD | 1 & 10 - UK 50 (7:22 - 1st) J.Wilcox rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by E.Simmons D.Bailey at TEN 48. |
+25 YD | 1 & 10 - UK 25 (7:55 - 1st) B.Vandagriff pass complete. Catch made by H.Gilmore for 25 yards. Tackled by R.Gibson at KEN 50. |
 - Missed FG (10 plays, 70 yards, 4:01 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
No Good | 4 & 20 - UK 33 (7:56 - 1st) M.Gilbert 43 yard field goal attempt is no good Center-M.Salansky Holder-J.Ross. |
+4 YD | 3 & 24 - UK 29 (8:40 - 1st) N.Iamaleava pass complete. Catch made by C.Brazzell for 4 yards. Tackled by T.Nichols J.Dumas-Johnson at KEN 25. |
Penalty | 3 & 14 - UK 19 (9:03 - 1st) N.Iamaleava pass complete. Catch made by M.Kitselman for yards. Tackled by KEN at KEN 11. PENALTY on TEN-J.Campbell Offensive Holding 10 yards accepted. No Play. |
Sack | 2 & 10 - UK 15 (9:40 - 1st) N.Iamaleava steps back to pass. Sacked at KEN 19 for -4 yards (T.Rybka). |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - UK 15 (10:02 - 1st) D.Sampson rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by T.Rybka Z.Childress at KEN 15. |
+10 YD | 2 & 2 - UK 25 (10:23 - 1st) D.Sampson rushed for 10 yards. Tackled by J.Dumas-Johnson at KEN 15. |
+8 YD | 1 & 10 - UK 33 (10:41 - 1st) N.Iamaleava pass complete. Catch made by B.McCoy for 8 yards. Tackled by J.Hardaway at KEN 25. |
+31 YD | 1 & 10 - TENN 36 (10:55 - 1st) N.Iamaleava pass complete. Catch made by M.Kitselman for 31 yards. Tackled by T.Bryant at KEN 33. |
+17 YD | 1 & 10 - TENN 19 (10:55 - 1st) N.Iamaleava pass complete. Catch made by M.Kitselman for 17 yards. Tackled by J.Lovett at TEN 36. PENALTY on TEN-TEN Illegal Substitution 5 yards declined. |
+9 YD | 2 & 5 - TENN 10 (11:36 - 1st) N.Iamaleava pass complete. Catch made by B.McCoy for 9 yards. Tackled by J.Hardaway at TEN 19. |
+5 YD | 1 & 10 - TENN 5 (11:56 - 1st) D.Sampson rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by T.Bryant at TEN 10. |
 - Downs (6 plays, 71 yards, 3:04 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
No Gain | 4 & 2 - TENN 5 (11:59 - 1st) B.Vandagriff steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for D.Key. |
+5 YD | 2 & 7 - TENN 10 (12:40 - 1st) B.Vandagriff rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by J.Telander C.Charles at TEN 5. |
No Gain | 2 & 7 - TENN 10 (12:46 - 1st) B.Vandagriff steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for D.Key. |
+3 YD | 1 & 10 - TENN 13 (12:46 - 1st) B.Vandagriff pass complete. Catch made by J.Wilcox for 3 yards. Tackled by B.Eason at TEN 10. |
Penalty | 2 & 2 - TENN 18 (13:38 - 1st) PENALTY on TEN-TEN Defensive Offside 5 yards accepted. |
+8 YD | 1 & 10 - TENN 26 (14:14 - 1st) B.Vandagriff pass complete. Catch made by B.Brown for 8 yards. Tackled by R.Gibson at TEN 18. |
+50 YD | 1 & 10 - UK 23 (14:56 - 1st) J.Wilcox rushed for 50 yards. Tackled by A.Turrentine at TEN 27. |
Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) J.Turbyville kicks 45 yards from TEN 35 to the KEN 20. B.Brown returns the kickoff. Tackled by TEN at KEN 23. |