LEXINGTON – The outcome of Kentucky’s game against Vanderbilt was never really in doubt after the Wildcats took a 17-point lead early in the third quarter.
But with every defensive miscue, Mark Stoops’ ire seemed to grow hotter.
The defense’s inability to close out the game spoiled Stoops’ ability to find much-needed snaps for young backups. When the Commodores pulled within three points with 30 seconds remaining, Kentucky was only a successful onside kick and Hail Mary away from disaster. Josh Ali ended those worries by recovering Vanderbilt’s onside attempt, but Stoops could no longer overlook the defense’s struggles.