In the city of music, Kentucky continued its two-win two-step.
The 22-6 loss to Vanderbilt on Saturday left coach Mark Stoops sounding — and probably feeling — like a broken record.
“Same old song and dance,” Stoops said after Kentucky gave up 22 unanswered points. “I’m upset, frustrated, I thought we played extremely hard, but we don’t make enough plays at critical times.”
Stoops wasn’t the only one frustrated by Kentucky’s 14th straight loss to an SEC opponent and third in a row to Vanderbilt.
“It’s real tough; you get sick of the same old thing,” senior linebacker Avery Williamson said.
It wasn’t exactly the same as Kentucky’s eight previous losses. UK found new ways to falter on Saturday, including atypical penalties and four Jalen Whitlow interceptions after the sophomore quarterback had thrown just one all season.
The coaches said the turnovers were not necessarily all Whitlow’s fault, but the offense’s as a whole. Either way, Vandy coach James Franklin said the interceptions were a major factor.
“We talk about it every single week, but the turnovers were huge, especially considering (Kentucky) had done a great job of protecting the football all year long,” he said.
Franklin thought his team did a good job of containing Whitlow, who had 17 carries for 69 yards and 120 yards passing.
“Our defense played as well against the spread and a mobile quarterback since I’ve been here,” he said of Vanderbilt, which held Kentucky to its fewest offensive yards (262) since the loss to Alabama.
Kentucky didn’t help itself with penalties and missed opportunities, part of the same old song and dance Stoops was discussing.
“We’re not good enough right now,” offensive coordinator Neal Brown said. “It’s pretty plain to see.”
