Kenny Minchey helps No. 12 Kentucky beat Vanderbilt 34-17 – Newsday

Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis (2) is chased by Kentucky defensive lineman Jaden Williams (91) as he runs through an opening in the defensive line during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. Credit: AP/Timothy D. Easley
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kenny Minchey threw for 203 yards a touchdown and rushed for another score in No. 12 Kentucky’s 34-17 victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday night.
The Wildcats (7-1, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) snapped a two-game losing streak to the Commodores (3-5, 0-5) and moved into sole possession of first place in the league standings by a half-game over No. 5 Georgia. The Bulldogs were idle Saturday.
Kentucky also clinched a winning record in the SEC for the third time since 1977.
“I love all that stuff, but what matters is our players, really proud of them,” Kentucky coach Will Stein said. “They’re great Their toughness, their fight and being a good football team. Those guys have been in every single game that they’ve played in. It shows that we’re a really good football team … This was, I thought, one of our best games.”
Kentucky, which lost to Vanderbilt 45-17 last year, had just 14 yards in the first quarter and fell behind 10-0 before scoring back-to-back touchdowns on its last two possessions of the first half.
“To be able to score those points before the half and after the half getting the ball back is great football,” Minchey said. “That’s what our coaches want us to do. … It made a big difference in the outcome of the game.”
The Wildcats had 146 of their 160 yards in the first half during the second quarter and held Vandy to just 5 yards after the Commodores gained 142 yards and dominated the time of possession in the first quarter. Kentucky finished with 376 total yards.
Kentucky linebacker Bo Barnes (0) moves in to tackle Vanderbilt running back Evan Hampton (23) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. Credit: AP/Timothy D. Easley
The hosts scored 21 straight and led 21-10 before the Commodores scored a touchdown on fourth and short with 5:45 left in the third quarter. The Commodores cut it to 21-17 in the third quarter before the hosts scored 13 straight for the final margin.
“That’s our culture,” Kentucky tight end Willie Rodriguez said. “We’re not worried about whatever’s happening, whatever the score is. We’re really not worried. It doesn’t matter if it’s 17-0 on the road at South Carolina. We’re the same. We’re going to be the same no matter what. We’re going to keep the same standard and that’s just a testament to our culture.”
Vanderbilt freshman quarterback Jared Curtis threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns.
Vanderbilt: The Commodores are still seeking their first conference win with four games remaining in the regular season. Vanderbilt dominated the time of possession and had the ball for 17:34 in the first quarter and converted six of its first eight third downs and outgained the hosts 142-14 in first quarter. Vandy was averaging 119 rushing yards per game but had just 15 against the Wildcats and relied on its passing game. The Commodores had just 120 total yards in the final three quarters.
Vanderbilt tight end Jayvontay Conner (8) gestured to the crowd following his touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. Credit: AP/Timothy D. Easley
Kentucky: The Wildcats haven’t been this close to securing an SEC title since the school’s 1976 squad that shared the league crown with Tennessee. Kentucky has a bye week on Saturday before finishing the league slate against No. 11 Tennessee, No. 20 Florida and No. 22 Missouri. Kentucky had a fumble recovery and an interception, the team’s fifth in the last two weeks.
Vanderbilt: At Mississippi State on Nov. 7.
Kentucky: At Tennessee on Nov. 7.
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