Vanderbilt Football: Commodores hope to contain Wildcats’ dynamic rushing attack
By Logan Shaw
The Vanderbilt Commodores football team will travel to Lexington on Saturday with hopes of containing the dynamic rushing attack of the Kentucky Wildcats.
In previous seasons, the Vanderbilt Commodores and the Kentucky Wildcats entered their annual contest at similar levels of skill. However, this season is different as the Commodores travel to Lexington this Saturday to face their toughest remaining opponent in 2018.
Kentucky enters this game ranked number fourteen in the AP Poll with a 5-1 record, one win shy clinching bowl eligibility for the third straight season. For Kentucky, bowl eligibility has been a season-defining goal, but the Wildcats have their eyes sight on much larger feats after winning five straight games to start the season.
In their last outing, Kentucky was defeated by the Texas A&M Aggies, 20-14, in overtime while gaining only 178 total yards in an offensive struggle at Kyle Field. For the first time this season, the Wildcats failed to score at least three touchdowns.
After a week off, the Wildcats enter Saturday’s contest with high expectations of recapturing their offensive success against a struggling Commodore defense. Let’s take a deeper look at the Commodores next opponent, the number fourteen Kentucky Wildcats.
Offense
Led by junior running back, Benny Snell, Jr., the Wildcats rank twenty-sixth in the country in rushing yards, averaging almost 224 yards a game. Though the Wildcats’ passing game has been underwhelming at times, Kentucky’s rushing attack has proven to be very explosive as they rank eighteenth in the country in yards per rushing attempt.
Snell, Jr. is the most notable weapon on the Wildcat offense, averaging 5.5 yards per carry, and is currently sitting at 699 yards on the season, reaching the end zone eight times. Snell, Jr. is regarded as one of the best running backs in school history and has had much success against the Commodores, rushing for almost six yards per carry and three touchdowns.
In his most recent outing, Snell, Jr. was held in check by the Aggies’ defense in College Station, rushing for only sixty yards on thirteen carries. Snell, Jr. still averaged almost five yards per play, so I would credit his most recent outing to an exceptional defensive effort by Texas A&M and, in general, a poor offensive performance from the Wildcats.
Another threat in the Wildcat backfield is sophomore running back, Asim Rose. Rose has been an exceptional backup to Snell, Jr. this season, averaging almost seven yards per carry on thirty-six touches while reaching the end zone four times.
Handing the ball off to Snell, Jr., and Rose is sophomore quarterback, Terry Wilson, who, at times, can look like one of the more explosive players in college football. Wilson has also proven to be a liability at times as he has tossed five interceptions in 2018 while also fumbling three times, losing two of them.
Wilson is regarded as a dual-threat quarterback as his greatest strength is his rushing ability, but he is also capable of throwing deep passes to his explosive receivers and his dependable tight ends. Kentucky’s two leaders in receptions are sophomore receiver, Lynn Bowden, Jr. and senior tight end, C.J. Conrad, who account for over fifty percent of the Wildcats’ receptions.
The Wildcats have many weapons on offense and should prove to be a matchup nightmare for the Commodore defense who ranks 112th in yards allowed this season.
Defense
Though the Wildcats have many weapons on offense, their defense has been their most impressive element in 2018, allowing only fourteen points per game which ranks fourth in college football. In addition, the Wildcats have forced ten turnovers while getting to the quarterback sixteen times.
Getting to the quarterback most frequently is the senior linebacker, Josh Allen, who has six sacks in 2018, while also ranking third on the team in total tackles with thirty-seven. Allen has also forced two fumbles and is certainly someone to watch for on Saturday.
Leading the team in interceptions and tackles is senior safety, Darrius West. West has three interceptions on the year, including an interception in his last two outings. West is currently tied for the most interceptions in the SEC and also ranks sixth in total tackles with forty-seven.
If the Commodores are not able to contain Allen, they will surely struggle to score points in Lexington on Saturday in a hostile environment at Kroger Field. Their offensive success, as exemplified in the Florida game, is dependant on strong offensive line play, vibrant play calling, and good decisions.
Most importantly, Ke’Shawn Vaughn has to get his touches. His talent is undeniable and was certainly the difference maker early on in the Florida game before prematurely exiting with an injury.
Catch the Game
The Commodores will travel to Lexington on Saturday to take on the dynamic Kentucky Wildcats who have won the last two meetings between the two schools. Kickoff is set for 6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET and will be broadcasted on the SEC Network.