Tennessee Volunteers defeat Kentucky Wildcats 33-27 in SEC college football Week 9 game
Coverage from the game:
'I don't need' pity: What we learned in Kentucky's six-point home loss to Tennessee
Kentucky football fights but falls to Tennessee as Wildcats drop third consecutive game
Coverage during the game:
LEXINGTON — Kentucky is just one victory shy of bowl eligibility for the eighth straight season, which would tack another year onto what already is a school record.
Standing in its way Saturday night is a team that has tortured it for decades: Tennessee, which enters ranked 20th in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll and No. 21 in the latest Associated Press poll. The Volunteers have an edge in the series against the Wildcats in nearly every possible manner, ahead 83-26-9 all-time and 39-15-3 in Lexington. They've also won eight of the 10 meetings since UK coach Mark Stoops' first season in 2013.
Though the teams own identical records this fall, 5-2 overall and 2-2 in SEC play, the Wildcats are 4-point underdogs at home.
The Courier Journal's Ryan Black and Matt Stone are at Kroger Field and will have live updates throughout the game — here and on X, formerly known as Twitter — and complete coverage after. You can follow them on X at @RyanABlack and @mattstonephotog.
FINAL: Tennessee 33, Kentucky 27
Tennessee 33, Kentucky 27 (4Q, 4:24)
After a miss from 53 yards earlier in the fourth quarter, Kentucky kicker Alex Raynor redeems himself, making a 28-yard attempt to draw the hosts back within six points.
Tennessee 33, Kentucky 24 (4Q, 7:30)
Volunteer running back Dylan Sampson fought his way across the goal line for a 12-yard score to give the visitors a two-possession lead once more.
Tennessee 26, Kentucky 24 (3Q, 2:39)
Kentucky QB Devin Leary throws his second TD pass of the night, threading the needle to sophomore wide receiver Dane Key on a 7-yard score.
Tennessee 26, Kentucky 17 (3Q, 6:49)
Tennessee placekicker Charles Campbell remains perfect on the day. Barely. His 35-yard try pounded the right upright before falling over the cross bar for three points. He's 4 for 4 on field goals tonight.
HALFTIME: Tennessee 23, Kentucky 17
Tennessee 23, Kentucky 17 (2Q, 0:05)
Vol kicker Charles Campbell adds another field goal to his tally, making his third of the day. The latest came from 34 yards away.
Tennessee 20, Kentucky 17 (2Q, 1:46)
Kentucky running back Ray Davis records yet another touchdown, this one a 7-yard rush. He's scored at least one time in all eight games this season, extending a UK record. He's the first Wildcat to post a TD in eight straight games since Randall Cobb in 2009.
Tennessee 20, Kentucky 10 (2Q, 6:16)
The Volunteers quickly push their lead back to 10 points, driving 75 yards in just 1:22. UT receiver Chas Nimrod, wide open down the left sideline, easily grabs the 39-yard pass from Joe Milton III.
Tennessee 13, Kentucky 10 (2Q, 7:38)
Kentucky receiver Barion Brown, a Tennessee native, hauls in an 11-yard pass against his home state team. It marks Brown's second TD reception of the season, his first since the victory over Eastern Kentucky in Game 2.
Tennessee 13, Kentucky 3 (2Q, 11:13)
The kicking competition continues: Tennessee's Charles Campbell converts another field goal, this one from 49 yards out, to push the Volunteers' lead back to double digits.
Tennessee 10, Kentucky 3 (2Q, 14:51)
UK placekicker Alex Raynor knocks in a 28-yard field goal to get the hosts on the board. He is now 7 for 7 on field goals this season, setting a UK record for most makes without a miss to begin a career.
Tennessee 10, Kentucky 0 (1Q, 5:34)
The Volunteers extend their lead to 10 via a 44-yard field goal from Charles Campbell. It was a small victory for Kentucky, though. The field goal came after the Wildcats went for it on fourth-and-1 at their own 34 and faileld to convert.
Tennessee 7, Kentucky 0 (1Q, 10:47)
Tennessee gets down to business quickly: After a three-and-out from the UK offense on the game's first possession, the visitors take just five plays to find the end zone. Running back Jaylen Wright found a seam and took it 52 yards to the house.
Kentucky football injury update
It appears the Wildcats will be without a pair of starters Saturday, one on each side: neither left guard Kenneth Horsey nor free safety Jordan Lovett participated in warmups. Another starter, safety Jalen Geiger, went through warmups, but freshman Ty Bryant will be in the lineup. Some positive news for UK on the injury front: star linebacker Trevin Wallace is back after sitting out the Missouri game with an undisclosed injury.
UK vs. Tennessee football pregame reading
Kentucky vs. Tennessee gameday guide: What to know as Wildcats try to end two-game skid
Kentucky vs. Tennessee matchup look: Story lines, key players, odds and more
Last time out: What we learned in Kentucky football's 17-point home loss to Missouri
Will Levis: What to know about former Kentucky QB set to start for Titans
Kentucky football recruiting: Wildcats land one of program's highest-ranked commits ever in 2024 edge Brian Robinson
Kentucky vs. Georgetown College: What UK basketball's uninspiring start in first exhibition taught us about the Wildcats
C.L. Brown column: John Calipari and Kentucky basketball have big problem until 7-footers return
'A lot of BS': Kentucky freshman Aaron Bradshaw addresses rumors he'll never play, transfer to USC:
3 keys: Here's what will determine success for John Calipari and Wildcats in 2023-24
5 questions for basketball Cats: What Kentucky must solve to ensure 2023-24 season is one to remember
Kentucky vs. Tennessee odds
Kentucky is a four-point underdog at home against Tennessee, according to DraftKings.
WANNA BET? Top Kentucky sportsbooks and sports betting apps reviewed
How to watch Kentucky vs. Tennessee football game
Who: No. 20 Tennessee (5-2, 2-2 SEC) at Kentucky (5-2, 2-2)
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Kroger Field, Lexington
TV: ESPN
Radio: Tom Leach (play-by-play), Jeff Piecoro (analyst) and Dick Gabriel (sideline) will have the UK radio network call on 840 AM in Louisville and both 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington and online at UKAthletics.com. The game also will be carried on satellite radio: Sirius (Channel 138), XM (Channel 190) and the SiriusXM app (Channel 961).
Streaming: Authenticated subscribers can access ESPN via TV-connected devices or by going to WatchESPN.com, the WatchESPN app or ESPN+.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky football score? Mark Stoops, UK lose to Tennessee in SEC game
