LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP)—D.J. Moore scored touchdowns on his first two career receptions and added two critical interceptions, and Vanderbilt beat Kentucky 31-24 Saturday night to gain bowl eligibility for the first time in 26 years.
Twice in the last three seasons, the Commodores (6-4, 4-3) could have ended their postseason drought by simply beating a Kentucky team that had long joined them at the bottom of the Southeastern Conference standings. They failed on both attempts.
The Wildcats (6-5, 2-5) therefore were perhaps an appropriate victim for the Commodores’ fourth SEC win—a total they last reached in their Hall of Fame Bowl season of 1982, their previous postseason appearance. Another victory against in-state rival Tennessee on Saturday would match Vanderbilt’s record for SEC wins, set in 1935 when the conference was in its infancy.
While Kentucky and Vanderbilt have achieved limited success in recent years, never have they appeared in the same postseason. That is likely to change this year as Kentucky has already qualified for its third straight after winning the last two Music City Bowls.
But in the SEC bowl pecking order, the Commodores solidified their position ahead of the Wildcats. On a cold and drizzly night, Vanderbilt set the tempo early and held on at the end.
JEFFREY McMURRAY, Associated Press Writer
Twice in the last three seasons, the Commodores (6-4, 4-3) could have ended their postseason drought by simply beating a Kentucky team that had long joined them at the bottom of the Southeastern Conference standings. They failed on both attempts.
The Wildcats (6-5, 2-5) therefore were perhaps an appropriate victim for the Commodores’ fourth SEC win—a total they last reached in their Hall of Fame Bowl season of 1982, their previous postseason appearance. Another victory against in-state rival Tennessee on Saturday would match Vanderbilt’s record for SEC wins, set in 1935 when the conference was in its infancy.
While Kentucky and Vanderbilt have achieved limited success in recent years, never have they appeared in the same postseason. That is likely to change this year as Kentucky has already qualified for its third straight after winning the last two Music City Bowls.
But in the SEC bowl pecking order, the Commodores solidified their position ahead of the Wildcats. On a cold and drizzly night, Vanderbilt set the tempo early and held on at the end.
JEFFREY McMURRAY, Associated Press Writer
