FINAL: Kentucky remains unbeaten with Max Hairston's big day in Nashville
The 11 a.m. start was no setback for your University of Kentucky Wildcats in Nashville on Saturday. Kentucky opened SEC play with an early Week 4 game against the Vanderbilt Commodores, and an energetic start to the league opener with a historic defensive performance pushed the Cats to a fourth victory in 2023. Kentucky led the Commodores for 55 minutes after striking first on its first possession.
In total, 366 yards of offense and a disruptive, playmaking defense gave Kentucky the 45-28 win in an incomplete renovation of FirstBank Stadium. With the win, Kentucky is 4-0 for the third straight season. Not since 1911 has Kentucky opened a year with a 4-0 record three consecutive times.
Here’s how Mark Stoops’ team remained unbeaten in the Music City:
Kentucky’s Fast Start
JUTAHN MCCLAIN’S FIRST CAREER TD
Kentucky’s first-drive troubles are behind them as the Wildcats scored on their first offensive possession for a second straight game. This time, JuTahn McClain put Kentucky on the board (the one hanging from two cranes) first in Nashville with his 36-yard run between the hashes. McClain found the hole and sprinted to the end zone for his first career rushing touchdown and the longest carry of his career.
McClain finished with 64 yards on six touches.
DEFENSE ADDS A TOUCHDOWN
Moments after McClain made it 7-0, Kentucky’s defense extended the lead to two touchdowns when Max Hairston picked off AJ Swann four snaps later. Even better, Kentucky’s new starting corner ran it back the other way for the score. Hairston’s interception was his second this season, and the 29-yard return was his first career touchdown.
DAVIS GETS HIS HOMECOMING TD
Vanderbilt couldn’t get out of the first quarter before Ray Davis piled on the fast start. The former Commodore scored his homecoming touchdown on a two-yard rush set up by Vanderbilt native Barion Brown‘s 55-yard reception down to the goal line.
The Nashville connection made it 21-0 early.
Kentucky added a second-quarter field goal to go up 24-0.
Vanderbilt’s Response, Offense Goes Cold
When it looked like the game was headed toward a blowout, Vanderbilt responded with 13 straight points, including a touchdown with 20 seconds remaining in the first half. A Kentucky Football special, the Cats let Vandy take the ball 57 yards in a minute right before halftime, making the score 24-10. We’ve seen it too many times.
After halftime, Kentucky went punt, interception, and then punt. There were snap miscues again, although this time with Eli Cox at center. On the interception, an untouched blitzer hit Leary mid-throw, sending the ball into the air and into the arms of Jeffery Ugochukwu. The interception was Leary’s second of the afternoon.
Kentucky’s defense held Vandy to a red zone field goal.
Kentucky Defense Saves The Day
Vandy had Kentucky on its heels midway through the third quarter, taking over at the 48-yard-line after Kentucky’s fourth punt of the day. But the Wildcats’ defense made yet another game-turning play when D’Eryk Jackson intercepted Swann’s pass at the Kentucky 30.
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Still wanting more, Jackson then lateralled the ball to Andru Phillips as Jackson was pulled to the ground. The speedier Phillips returned Jackson’s interception 50 yards toward the end zone, and another half-the-distance penalty was tacked onto the end of the play for a personal foul.
Starting at the 11, Kentucky’s offense scored in four plays to snap out of its drought. Ray Davis rushed for his second homecoming TD, a one-yard run, to put the Cats up 31-13.
Hairston Does It AGAIN
Kentucky and Vandy traded fourth-quarter touchdowns. First, Kentucky’s 73-yard drive for six points on a 22-yard ball to Dane Key. Key’s touchdown was not without frustration because he was flagged for taunting after the score (he patted Vandy’s cornerback on the head like a child), and Vandy turned the short field into a quick response. Helped out by a pass interference, the Commodores scored in seven plays and converted a two-point try to get within 17.
However, Kentucky’s defense was not done showing off. Max Hairston DID IT AGAIN! The sophomore corner intercepted an AJ Swann pass and ran it 54 yards for another defensive touchdown and Hairston’s second Pick 6 of the afternoon.
Hairston is your MVP with two touchdowns. He is the first player in UK history to with two Pick 6s in one game.
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