At the whistle: Kentucky football blown out by Vanderbilt 45-17 – Kentucky Kernel

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Kentucky football (5-6, 2-6 SEC) was decimated 45-17 by No. 14 Vanderbilt (9-2, 5-2 SEC) to finish out its 2025 SEC slate.
The Wildcats were very short-handed on the defensive side of the ball as injuries piled up in a big way, especially in the secondary as Kentucky was forced to start three freshmen.
Diego Pavia set a Vanderbilt school record for the most passing yards thrown in a game with 469.
That mark was also the most yards an SEC quarterback has thrown in a game this season.
This game meant a ton to both teams as the Wildcats were fighting for bowl eligibility and the Commodores are trying to secure a playoff bid.
Kentucky came into this game on a three-game winning streak and a completely new outlook on the 2025 season.
Vanderbilt honored a large senior class pregame that has changed the image of the program including the polarizing quarterback Pavia.
Those injuries showed in big ways as Pavia and the offense picked apart the secondary.
When play began, the Wildcats got the ball first, but could not get a drive sustained.
The Commodores did not have any trouble getting going as they moved the ball quickly into Kentucky territory and into the red zone.
A few penalties allowed the Wildcats to hold the home team to a field goal to open the scoring.
After another Kentucky punt, Pavia and co. continued to roll as he connected with Tre Richardson for a 71-yard touchdown that gave Vanderbilt a 10-0 lead.
Kentucky was forced to punt again and the Commodores continued to gash the banged up secondary and the drive culminated in a 15-yard rushing touchdown score by Richardson.
On the ensuing Kentucky offensive drive, Cutter Boley and the offense started to string together some first downs, but Boley suffered a neck injury and was replaced by Zach Calzada.
After the defense forced a turnover on downs, Boley returned to the game and led the Wildcats to a field goal to get on the board.
However, Pavia and Richardson continued to roll as the quarterback hit him for a 56 yard score to boost the lead to 24-3 at the half.
The injuries showed in a big way as Pavia threw for 279 yards and two scores in the first half.
Things only got worse out of the locker room for the Wildcats as the home Commodores marched down the field and scored another touchdown as Pavia connected with Junior Sherrill for a 7-yard score.
After a punt by the Cats, Pavia took it down the field again and finished the drive himself with a 6-yard rushing touchdown.
The Wildcats did have a touchdown as Boley hit J.J. Hester, who broke a tackle and galloped 41 yards for a touchdown.
Boley hit Fred Farrier II for a 9-yard score to result in the 45-17 final score.
Pavia came out of the game about midway through the fourth quarter and finished with 469 passing yards, 48 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
The win does not change a whole lot for Kentucky as it just needed to win one of its final two games of the season to be bowl eligible.
With Louisville now losers of three-straight games, going on the road and winning is still very possible for the Wildcats.
Kentucky will hit the road to take on Louisville to close out the 2025 season on Saturday, Nov. 29, with kickoff set for noon ET.
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Larry UK 1964 • Nov 23, 2025 at 8:08 am
Oh the SHAME of UK being beaten by Vanderbilt. And what is Stoops’ salary?

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