Tennessee Volunteers running back Tauren Poole (28) dives for a first down against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium.Mark Zerof-US PRESSWIRE
Twenty-six straight times, Kentucky couldn't beat Tennessee. On Saturday, the Wildcats finally put an end to their dubious streak, defeating the Volunteers 10-7 at Commonwealth Stadium.
Oddly enough, they did it with a wide receiver playing quarterback.
Senior Matt Roark, thrust into the starting role with starters Maxwell Smith and Morgan Newton out with injury, ran for a game-high 124 yards to lead the Wildcats to their first victory over Tennessee since 1984.
The win denied the Volunteers (5-7, 1-7 SEC) a chance at bowl eligibility and provided Kentucky with a much-needed positive feeling. The Wildcats, who began the season 2-0, finished 5-7 and 2-6 in SEC play.
Trailing 10-7 late, Tennessee had a chance to force overtime or take the lead, but its drive stalled out near midfield. Quarterback Tyler Bray, on a 4th-and-17 play, had a pass intercepted by Taiedo Smith to put the game away. Moments later, the blue-clad fans at Commonwealth stormed the field in celebration.
Kentucky took a 3-0 lead at halftime and extended the advantage to 10 with 14:12 left in the fourth quarter on CoShik Williams' 6-yard rushing touchdown.
Tennessee responded with a score of its own on the ensuing possession, a 53-yard touchdown pass from Bray to Rajion Neal to cut the deficit to 10-7.
Bray, making his second start since missing five games because of an injury, completed 15-of-38 passes for 215 yards. Neal had four catches for 125 yards for the Volunteers, who finished the season with a winless road record (0-4) and lost their regular-season finale for the first time in 29 games.
Kentucky won despite being outgained 276-217. Roark completed 4-of-6 passes for 15 yards for the Wildcats, who forced three Tennessee turnovers.