KSR Today: Another loss to Tennessee; Will Levis makes NFL debut

ZGeogheganKSR

ksr-today-another-loss-tennessee-will-levis-makes-nfl-debut — Photo of Devin Leary (left) by Kentucky Sports Radio | Photo of Will Levis by USA TODAY Sports

Good morning, folks! Ever since Kentucky broke the 26-game losing streak to Tennessee back in 2011, the Wildcats haven’t been able to truly shift the momentum of this series. Kentucky has just taken just two games off the Volunteers in the time since, winning in 2017 and 2020, but over the last three years, Tennessee has had UK’s number once again.

Tennessee won a shootout 45-42 in 2021 before manhandling Kentucky 44-6 last year. The Wildcats entered Saturday’s matchup against the No. 21-ranked Vols desperately needing to rewrite the script, not only in this series for the sake of their season. Having an extra week to prepare seemed to help UK’s offense, but in the end, that gaudy orange snuck out with another win. Tennessee’s offense gashed Kentucky’s defense to the tune of a 33-27 win in Lexington.

It wasn’t even Hendon Hooker who inflicted the pain this time around, either. Joe Milton finished 18-21 throwing through the air for 228 yards and a touchdown. The Volunteers as a team rushed for 253 yards and two more scores. A 4-4 mark on field goals from kicker Charles Campbell didn’t do Kentucky any favors. It’s a shame the UK defense couldn’t keep up considering how effective the offense finally looked.

Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary had easily his best game as a Wildcat, finishing with 372 yards on 28-39 passing for two touchdowns and no interceptions. Dane Key, who recorded seven catches for 113 yards and a touchdown, was his favorite target all night. Considering running back Ray Davis was limited to just 42 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries, it was an ideal time for the passing game to finally step up.

But of course, it was anything but a clean overall game from the ‘Cats. There were some missed opportunities in the first half from the offense and some poor tackling from the defense. While it’s encouraging to see someone such as Ty Bryant record a team-high 12 tackles, it’s equally as concerning that a true freshman is the one having to step up.

Kentucky is now 5-3 on the season and 2-3 in the Southeastern Conference. A three-game losing streak stings, but the season is anything but over. UK has four more games left to bounce back and finish strong down the stretch. Keep in mind that the 2021 squad that finished 10-3 also lost three straight — including losses to Georgia and Tennessee — before bouncing back in the final three regular season games.

Dive into KSR’s postgame content from last night below. We’ve got plenty of written stories, a Rapid Reaction, and press conference interviews. All hope is not yet lost, even if it’s hard to see the positives.

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KSR Rapid Reaction

Mark Stoops press conference

[FULL STOOPS TRANSCRIPT]

Kentucky offense press conference

(Offensive coordinator Liam Coen, QB Devin Leary, and WR Dane Key)

Kentucky defense press conference

(Defensive coordinator Brad White, LB D’Eryk Jackson, and LB Trevin Wallace)

More Kentucky News and Views on the KSR YouTube Channel

Kentucky Sports Radio has expanded its coverage of the Wildcats in the most ridiculous manner possible on our YouTube Channel. Here you will be able to find interviews with coaches and players, as well as commentary from the KSR crew. From Rapid Reactions following big events to our lengthy lineup of live shows, subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel to stay up to date on everything happening around the Big Blue Nation.

Monday: Mark Stoops Press Conference & Rapid Reaction
Monday, 8 PM: KSR Football Podcast
Tuesday evening: Interviews with Liam Coen and the offense
Tuesday, 8 PM: Sources Say
Wednesday, 1 PM: Stoops’ comments from the SEC Teleconference
Wednesday evening: Interviews with Brad White and the defense
Wednesday, 8 PM: 11 Personnel
Thursday Afternoon: Pigskin Preview
Thursday evening: Final comments from Stoops after practice
Thursday, 8 PM: Point Kentucky, KSR’s new Volleyball Show
Friday night: Kroger KSR Game of the Week recap, highlights
Saturday: Postgame Press Conferences, Interviews, Rapid Reaction

BBNFL: Week 8 | Will Levis set to make debut

It took longer than some expected, but former Kentucky quarterback Will Levis is set to finally make his NFL debut this afternoon when the Tennessee Titans host the Atlanta Falcons. After starting QB Ryan Tannehill went down with an injury and backup QB Malik Willis struggled to perform as his replacement, the Titans have shifted to Levis, who was the franchise’s second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The expectation heading into today’s game is that Levis will receive a bulk of the reps as QB1, if not every single one of them. Tennessee has failed to protect the quarterback so far this season, ranking fourth-worst in the NFL in sacks allowed, so Levis could be in for a challenge during his debut. But he had the bye week to help prepare even more for what’s in store.

“If my name gets called I’ll be ready to go,” Levis told reporters this week. “We go with the same game plan and are both preparing for the same plays. We’ll have to be ready for all of it. Everything Malik can do I can do and vice versa.”

Levis will make his NFL debut with the Titans at 1:00 p.m. EST on CBS. You can check out the rest of today’s NFL schedule along with the list of other fellow Wildcats set to play below.