11/07/2026 08:49:00
Printable Page
11/07 20:48 CST Morris, defense lead No. 16 Tennessee past No. 8 Kentucky, 34-6
Morris, defense lead No. 16 Tennessee past No. 8 Kentucky, 34-6
By AL LESAR
Associated Press
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) --- Daune Morris had an 66-yard touchdown run in the
first quarter and No. 16 Tennessee's stifling defense shut down No. 8 Kentucky
34-6 on Saturday night.
The Volunteers (7-2, 4-2 in Southeastern Conference) are very much alive in the
College Football Playoff race. They came in No. 13, while the Wildcats (7-2,
4-2), who had their six-game winning streak snapped, were No. 6.
Tennessee had eight tackles for loss and forced three turnovers. Kentucky came
into the game with one of the best turnover margins in the country.
DeSean Bishop rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns.
Kentucky's Kenny Minchey threw for 224 yards.
Morris' 66-yard scoring burst late in the first quarter was the difference in
the first half as Tennessee led, 10-6.
The Vols scored 17 straight second-half points to put the game away. The
highlight was quarterback Faizon Brandon coming off the bench in spot duty to
toss a 24-yard shovel pass to Mike Matthews for a TD.
The takeaway
Kentucky: The Wildcats' path to the College Football Playoffs just got more
difficult. Losing to Tennessee takes away any margin for error they might have
had coming into the game. ... Neyland Stadium turned out to be a difficult
place to play. ... The Vols' aggressive defense caused Kentucky's offense some
problems.
Tennessee: The Vols used motivation from the fact that Alabama, a team they had
beaten by 16 points a few weeks ago, was ranked No. 5 in the first College
Football Playoff poll. ... This was the second "signature" victory Tennessee
has gotten this season. ... Its loss to South Carolina two weeks ago was a
difficult part of the playoff formula.
Up next
Kentucky: At Florida on Saturday.
Tennessee: At Texas A&M Saturday.
___
Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here. Visit the Top 25 here and see AP's full
college football coverage here.
|