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Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols 34-7 loss to Kentucky

By Caleb Calhoun

Kentucky defensive back Kelvin Joseph (1) intercepts a pass intended for Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) ** Tennessee running back Len'Neth Whitehead (4) during a SEC conference football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats held at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, October 17, 2020.Kns Ut Football Kentucky Bp
Kentucky defensive back Kelvin Joseph (1) intercepts a pass intended for Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) ** Tennessee running back Len'Neth Whitehead (4) during a SEC conference football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats held at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, October 17, 2020.Kns Ut Football Kentucky Bp /
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Kentucky quarterback Terry Wilson (3) throws the ball during the first quarter of a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020.
Kentucky quarterback Terry Wilson (3) throws the ball during the first quarter of a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020. /

4. Field position favored Kentucky all game

Yes, the pick-sixes were huge. Tennessee football turned the ball over twice inside the Kentucky Wildcats’ 30-yard line. However, part of what kept Mark Stoops’ team in control of this game, particularly in the second half, was field position. It didn’t spot Kentucky the lead, but it led to the complete domination that ensued later on.

There’s a reason for that. Paxton Brooks had his worst game of the season punting the ball. He had five punts for 189 yards, averaging 37.8 yards per punt, and one of them went for a touchback. Only two of those punts went 40 or more yards, and one of those was right at 40 yards. None of them pinned the Wildcats inside the 20.

Meanwhile, Max Duffy was elite punting the ball. He had three punts for 140 yards, averaging 46.7 yards per punt and pinning the Vols inside the 20 once. Another had the Vols take over on their own 31, and another had them take over on their own 23. Off UT punts, UK took over past the 40-yard line twice, and that’s something Kentucky is built to exploit.

It’s worth noting that until their final offensive drive, the Vols never started past the 25-yard line on kickoffs as well, and three times they started inside the 25-yard line. When you’re trying to come back, that will make a huge difference, and when you’re trying to get a stop while trailing in the second half, it makes an even greater difference.

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