3 tackles (2 solo); 2 TFLs
He didn’t do much the rest of the game, but early in the first quarter, Kivon Bennett was shaping up to be Tennessee football’s biggest star. In fact, he was the guy to help kill the first two drives by the Kentucky Wildcats, signifying that the Vols’ defense would dominate them throughout the day. Obviously, that didn’t happen.
Anyway, Bennett had three tackles, two of which were solo. Both of those solo tackles were tackles for losses. On the first drive of the game, Kentucky had a 2nd and 7. Bennett wrapped up Asim Rose for a two-yard loss. That proved to be crucial as it brought up an obvious passing down on 3rd and 9, when the Vols are at their best and Kentucky is at its worse.
On the next drive, Kentucky had gotten a first down with Terry Wilson completing a pass to Josh Ali. Bennett then managed to wrap up Rose again for a yardage loss, and that eventually led to another 3rd and 9 coming up. Although Kentucky converted that 3rd and 9, a fumble occurred on that play, so you have to say Bennett’s play put UT in position to take control early.
After that, there wasn’t much from Bennett the rest of the way. However, he has been an underrated edge rusher for the Vols through four games, and he at least made a couple of key plays early on in this game.