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Kentucky and Vanderbilt meet in an important Southeastern Conference matchup on Saturday night at Kroger Field (7:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network). Both the Cats and Commodores are coming off impressive wins over top-10 opponents.

Before Kentucky had the day off last Saturday, it traveled to Oxford and beat No. 6 Ole Miss 20-17. Vanderbilt defeated top-ranked Alabama 40-35 in Nashville last Saturday.

Cat scratch: Kentucky’s defense wants to break Vanderbilt’s momentum

Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White and his staff will have their work cut out for them this week as they face a Vanderbilt team that runs a unique system. White spoke about the Commodores following British training on Wednesday.

“They’re very unique in their own style and the way they do things (with formations) and what they do in terms of route concept,” White said. “Obviously it starts with the quarterback (Diego Pavia) and his ability to handle the offense and what they do. He’s been in that system, so he understands what they’re looking for. They stress you out in many different areas. They are one of the most efficient offenses because they know how to create space in the running game and passing game. Really good in terms of scheme, really good in terms of players.”

Pavia fueled Vandy’s 40-35 win over top-ranked Alabama last week in Nashville. White compared Pavia to some Heisman Trophy-winning signal-callers…Continue reading

Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt

The series
• Kentucky leads the all-time series against Vanderbilt, 49-43-4.
• The Wildcats also lead the Commodores in Lexington, 26-16-2.
• Although the Cats lost their last game at Kroger Field in 2022, 24-21, they have won four of the last five meetings in Lexington.
• The Cats have won a total of seven of the last eight meetings.

The ties
• Kentucky’s roster features three players from Tennessee State, including wide receiver Barion Brown (Nashville), outside linebacker Steven Soles Jr. (Powell, Tennessee) and defensive lineman Tre’vonn Rybka (Dickson).
• Tennessee’s roster includes a player from Kentucky State, kicker Mason Rohmiller (Fort Mitchell, Ky.).

Through the numbers

2
100-yard receiving games this season for Dane Key (Ohio and Ole Miss)

5
Kentucky’s national ranking in total defense as the Cats give up just 244.2 yards per game

14
Consecutive field goals by UK kicker Alex Raynor, a series that represents the school record

20
Former Cats are currently on the NFL roster

2020
The last time the home team won a game was in the Kentucky-Vanderbilt series, when the Cats defeated the Dores 38-35 at Kroger Field