Throwback Thursday: Kentucky's last win at Tennessee

Since Josh Heupel took over at Tennessee in 2021, the Vols have transformed into a top-three team. That’s a pretty incredible turnaround, one that has Heupel in the running for all of the Coach of the Year honors.

We all know what happened in last year’s game at Kroger Field; instead of reliving that heartbreak, let’s throw it back to the game prior, Kentucky’s 34-7 thumping of the No. 18 Volunteers in Neyland Stadium. Sounds like a perfect way to spend a Thursday afternoon if you ask me.

Three straight second-quarter interceptions

After a scoreless first quarter, Kelvin Joseph picked off Jarrett Guarantano and returned the ball 41 yards to put the Cats up 7-0. Two minutes later, Jamin Davis did the same with an 85-yard rumbling, bumbling pick-six. Amazingly, on the next possession, Kentucky got another interception, with Tyrell Ajian picking off J.T. Shrout to set up a field goal to put the Cats up 17-0.

The boos after Jamin Davis’ pick-six are music to my ears.

Offense comes to life in the second half

Kentucky’s defense did the heavy lifting in the first half, but in the second, the Cats’ offense came to life under Chris Rodriguez and Terry Wilson. After the defense forced a three-and-out, Kentucky marched down the field on an 11-play, 76-yard scoring drive, capped off by a one-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Allen Dailey Jr. to make the score 24-7. A field goal on the next drive extended the lead to 27-7. The defense continued to dominate, allowing only 12 yards and one first down in the entire third quarter, forcing three Tennessee punts.

The Cats’ first drive of the fourth quarter is the one that really put the Vols away. Chris Rodriguez and Terry Wilson combined for 53 rushing yards on six carries over four minutes, with Rodriguez punching it in from two yards out to push the score to 34-7 Kentucky. Even with eleven minutes left, the Vols couldn’t respond, turning it over on downs with seven minutes to play.

First win in Knoxville since 1984

Kentucky snapped the 26-game losing streak to Tennessee in 2011 with a wide receiver playing quarterback; this win was almost as satisfying. It was Kentucky’s first victory over Tennessee in Neyland Stadium since 1984, snapping a 17-game losing streak in Knoxville. It was also the Cats’ largest win over Tennessee in the series since 1935 and contributed to the downfall of Jeremy Pruitt, who was fired in January 2021 following an NCAA investigation into improper benefits to players.

John Schlarman got the game ball

Near the end of his battle with cancer, Schlarman made the trip to Knoxville, his final game on Kentucky’s sideline. Schlarman delivered the pregame speech, and afterward, was presented with the game ball, an unforgettable moment.

We played for something bigger than ourselves 🙏#22OatsStrong #SchlarmanStrong 💙🏈 pic.twitter.com/xmTB6CMj5P

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) October 17, 2020

Time to take that Schlarman Strong mindset to Knoxville and get another win.