How Kentucky and Vanderbilt match up — with a game prediction
How Kentucky (2-4 SEC) and Vanderbilt (0-5 SEC) match up at each position — with a game prediction:
Quarterbacks
With Terry Wilson injured, Kentucky redshirt sophomore Joey Gatewood made his first career start two weeks ago in UK’s 14-3 loss to Georgia. The 6-foot-5, 221-pound Auburn transfer completed 15 of 25 passes for 91 yards and ran 16 times for 23 yards. The 6-3, 202-pound Wilson returned to practice this week. With Mark Stoops vowing to use the QB that gives Kentucky the best chance to win, Wilson (14-5 as a starter in his career) would seem likely to start. Vanderbilt true freshman Ken Seals has thrown for over 300 yards (336 at Mississippi State, 319 vs. Mississippi) in each of the Commodores’ past two games. On the season, the 6-3, 218-pound product of Azle, Texas, has thrown for 1,066 yards and six touchdowns while completing 67.1 percent. Seals has been interception-prone, however. He’s thrown eight — and will face a Kentucky defense that has picked off 12 passes.
Advantage: Even.
Running backs
Kentucky running back Christopher Rodriguez ran for 108 yards on 20 carries in the loss to Georgia. The 5-11, 224-pound redshirt sophomore is ninth in the SEC in rushing (413 yards, four touchdowns, 5.5 yards per carry) while splitting carries with senior A.J. Rose (242, one, 5.0). Vanderbilt’s Keyon Henry-Brooks leads the SEC in all-purpose yardage (153.3 yards a game). The 6-1, 200-pound sophomore also leads Vandy in rushing (253, two, 4.5) and is second in pass receptions (20 catches for 207 yards).
Advantage: Vanderbilt.
Wide receivers
Kentucky senior Josh Ali (31 catches, 328 yards, one TD) caught a team-high five passes for 35 yards vs. Georgia. Junior Allen Dailey (nine, 86, one) and redshirt freshman DeMarcus Harris (10, 54, zero) also caught three passes vs. the Bulldogs. Vanderbilt junior Cam Johnson (33, 338, one) has caught 24 passes over the past two games (14 vs. Ole Miss, 10 at Mississippi State). A 6-4, 231-pound senior, Chris Pierce (13,151, two) has 10 catches for 122 yards and two TDs over the past two games.
Advantage: Vanderbilt.
Tight ends
Kentucky tight ends Justin Rigg (two catches for 7 yards) and Keaton Upshaw (one for 10) combined for three receptions vs. Georgia and have 12 catches (Rigg seven catches for 50 yards, Upshaw five, 49, one TD) on the season. A 6-4, 244-pound junior, Vanderbilt’s Ben Bresnahan (17, 169, two) is having a strong season.
Advantage: Vanderbilt.
Offensive line
Normally No. 67, Kentucky senior left tackle Landon Young is slated to wear No. 65, the number worn by John Schlarman during his UK playing days, to honor the UK offensive line coach who died Thursday after a two-year battle with cancer. Vanderbilt Coach Derek Mason announced this week that senior right guard Drew Birchmeier, a former defensive lineman, will miss his second straight game Saturday. Fifth-year senior Connor Mignone, a transfer from Central Connecticut, will replace him.
Advantage: Kentucky.
.JPG "LEX_191019UKFBCUGABS44 (1).JPG")
Defensive line
Kentucky senior nose guard Quinton Bohanna is expected back after missing two games due to a leg injury suffered at Tennessee. The return of the 6-4, 357-pound product of Cordova, Tenn., should boost a UK run defense that gave up an average of 217.5 rushing yards a game in his absence. Vanderbilt senior defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo has 27 tackles for loss in his career and leads the Commodores in sacks (3.5) in 2020.
Advantage: Kentucky.
Linebackers
Kentucky MLB Jamin Davis was stellar (13 tackles, a forced fumble, a pass breakup, a blocked field goal) in the loss to Georgia. The 6-4, 234-pound redshirt junior from Ludowici, Ga., has had double-digit tackles in the past four games. OLB/rush end Jordan Wright had seven tackles, five solo, vs. the Bulldogs. Vanderbilt senior ILB Dimitri Moore originally opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19, but changed his mind and has 23 tackles in four games.
Advantage: Kentucky.
Defensive backs
UK redshirt sophomore cornerback Kelvin Joseph intercepted a pass in the loss to Georgia. The transfer from LSU has three of Kentucky’s 12 picks. Vanderbilt nickelback Jaylen Mahoney leads the Commodores in tackles (33) and also has two tackles for loss, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery. Senior cornerback Randall Haynie has the only Vandy interception this season.
Advantage: Kentucky.
Special teams
Kentucky punter Max Duffy is averaging 46.2 yards a punt. Out of 28 punts, Duffy has had eight in excess of 50 yards and has stopped eight inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. Place-kicker Matt Ruffolo is 5-of-6 on field goals with a long of 50 yards. Vanderbilt punter Harrison Smith is 14th in the SEC in punting (42.1 yards a kick). But he also has eight punts in excess of 50 yards and has stopped six of 20 kicks inside the 20. Place-kicker Pierson Cooke has struggled, making only two of six field goals. He hit from 41 yards in last week’s 24-17 loss at Mississippi State to snap a streak of four misses in a row. Punt returner Cam Johnson is fourth in the SEC (9.2 yards a return).
Advantage: Kentucky.
Prediction
Kentucky 23, Vanderbilt 14.
This story was originally published November 12, 2020 at 7:44 AM.
