Three Plays: Mike Wright makes the difference for Vanderbilt

On paper, Kentucky had a huge advantage over Vanderbilt in multiple areas. That specifically played out at quarterback as starter AJ Swann was unavailable for the Commodores.

But games are not played on paper.

In Vanderbilt’s stunning 24-21 win at Kroger Field on Saturday afternoon, it was backup Mike Wright who was the best player on the field for most of the game. The junior delivered when the Dores had to have it and this is the top reason why Vandy left Lexington victorious.

KSR’s Three Plays is here to show how Wright made the ultimate difference in Saturday’s massive win for Vanderbilt football.

Kentucky isn’t ready for zone read

After forcing a takeaway on the game’s second play, Kentucky was able to grab an early 3-0 lead. Things were looking up for the Wildcats. Then the defense plays with poor discipline on a zone-read look. After that, not a lot of good happened for Brad White’s defense.

On second-and-long, Vandy gets into a condensed formation forcing Kentucky to load the box. The Cats then fall from the jet motion eye candy.

J.J. Weaver loses contain, and both inside linebackers go with the play fake. There is not a safety left over the top for protection after the Cats got aggressive with their pre-snap look. With track speed, Mike Wright cruises for a 59-yard touchdown in what would be a sign of things to come on Saturday.

Kentucky bails out Mike Wright

Despite some poor play for most of the afternoon, Kentucky’s defense had a chance to seal the game after Chris Rodriguez Jr.‘s 72-yard touchdown run with just over five minutes left in the game. Quickly, the defense forced a fourth-and-seven at the Vanderbilt 37. Clark Lea decided to roll the dice after the Commodores struggled to stop the run on the previous two possessions.

The defense creates a stop, but an untimely penalty extended the drive.

A blatant hands-to-the-face by Octavious Oxendine against Vandy’s left guard was an easy call for the officials. Unfortunately, it has nothing to do with the result of the play. Tyrell Ajian makes a great play on the ball as the Cats force Mike Wright into a significant mistake.

Unfortunately, a sloppy play serves as a key drive extender.

Vanderbilt beats man coverage on fourth-and-long

Even after that bad penalty, Kentucky’s defense responds to force another fourth-and-long situation just three plays later. With the ball at the Kentucky 49, it’s desperation time.

After Carrington Valentine gets shaken up on third down, redshirt freshman Maxwell Hairston comes in and gets locked up with Quincy Skinner in man coverage on the outside. Vandy takes the matchup and the wide receiver makes a great adjustment on the ball but may have gotten away with a slight push-off.

This time the offense won on fourth down, and it was again Mike Wright helping make a big play for the Commodores. The offense would punch it in for six three plays later to give Clark Lea a much-needed rebuild win.

Entering the matchup with Vanderbilt, it seemed like a major advantage for Kentucky’s defense. Mike Wright had some limitations as a passer, and the Vandy offense could be stymied if the run game was slowed.

That figured to be good news for Kentucky after this defense limited Anthony Richardson, Jaxson Dart, Hendon Hooker, and Brady Cook to a combined 122 yards on 27 carries posting just 4.5 yards per rush and a poor success rate (37%) on non-sack attempts. There had only been one rush over 15 yards from a QB against Brad White’s defense.

Well, that good run ended on Saturday after Wright rushed for 127 non-sack yards on 10 attempts with two runs over 15 yards and a 60 percent rushing success rate. Vanderbilt’s QB was the difference on Saturday.