Tennessee Triumphs Over Kentucky in Thrilling Victory: A Game for the Books

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LEXINGTON, Kentucky (WATE) — The Tennessee Volunteers triumphed over Kentucky on Saturday, wrapping up the game with an impressive 56-34 victory.

Tennessee didn’t waste any time making their mark. Joey Aguilar first found Mike Matthews with consecutive completions of 14 and 10 yards. Aguilar then connected with his trusted target, Chris Brazzell, for a 35-yard touchdown, putting the Vols ahead 7-0 shortly after kickoff. Aguilar flawlessly executed the opening drive, completing all four pass attempts.

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Despite their strong start, Tennessee’s momentum stalled during their second possession, largely due to Aguilar being sacked for an 11-yard loss on third down.

The Vols soon extended their lead to 14-0, thanks to a stellar defensive play. Kentucky’s quarterback, Cutter Boley, threw an interception, picked off by Edrees Farooq, who returned it 45 yards for a touchdown. This marked Tennessee’s fifth defensive score of the season, tying them with Louisiana Tech for the national lead.

Tennessee quickly regained its 14-point advantage two drives later. The Vols started things off with a deep pass of 47 yards from Aguilar to Brazzell. Star Thomas followed that up with 17 yard run up to the one-yard line. Thomas then punched it in to give the Vols a 21-7 lead. It marked Thomas’ first touchdown in SEC play.

The Vols got the ball back moments later after Boo Carter forced a fumble that was recovered by freshman linebacker Jadon Perlotte. It marked Tennessee’s second takeaway of the night.

Tennessee running back Star Thomas carries the ball in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Michael Swensen)
Kentucky linebacker Daveren Rayner sacks Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Michael Swensen)
Kentucky linebacker Daveren Rayner (7) sacks Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Michael Swensen)
Kentucky linebacker Daveren Rayner sacks Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Michael Swensen)
Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II (17) catches a pass for a touchdown in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Michael Swensen)
Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) drops back for a pass in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Michael Swensen)
Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) fakes a handoff in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Michael Swensen)
Kentucky wide receiver Kendrick Law (1) runs the ball in for a touchdown in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Michael Swensen)
Kentucky running back Dante Dowdell (2) is tackled by Tennessee linebacker Edwin Spillman in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Michael Swensen)

UT was able to take advantage off the turnover as DeSean Bishop punched it in from one-yard out on fourth down. After just 16 minutes of play, Tennessee had already scored 28 points.

However, the Wildcats quickly responded with another chunk play, this time a 56-yard pass from Boley to DJ Miller to pull Kentucky back within 14 points.

Kentucky then made it just a seven-point game as Boley found J.J. Hester in the endzone on a 3-yard score to cut into Tennessee’s lead, 28-21.

The Vols got the ball back with 1:37 left on the clock in the first half and got to work. Aguilar connected with Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley on a couple of short passes, while Bishop kept the chains moving on the ground.

Ethan Davis caught his first pass since ETSU on Sept. 6, as he was making his first appearance since the Georgia game after dealing with an injury. The tight end caught a 10-yard pass from Aguilar to get the Vols across midfield. Aguilar then connected with Braylon Staley on a 24-yard pass to put the Vols in the red zone.

Davis then capped off the drive with a 13-yard touchdown catch for his first score of the season. It gave Tennessee a 35-21 lead at the halftime break.

Despite a 14-point advantage, the Wildcats picked up more total yards of offense (281) in the first half compared to the Vols (239). Tennessee managed to record just 29 rushing yards in the first 30 minutes of play.

In the second half, Tennessee started by picking up two more touchdowns. With 10:40 left on the clock, Aguilar made a 62 yard pass to Matthews. After a successful extra point by Max Gilbert, the Vols led 42-21. After an unsuccessful attempt by the Wildcats for a 55-yard field goal, Peyton Lewis picked up a touchdown for the Vols with a two-yard run, followed by another successful extra point by Gilbert, making the Vols lead to 49-21.

The Wildcats came back, with Boley finding Miller for a 28-yard pass that earned Kentucky a touchdown. After a failed two-point conversion, the Wildcats closed the gap slightly at the end of the third quarter to 49-27.

At the start of the 4th, the vols picked up another touchdown with Bishop making a 5-yard rush up the middle to take the score to 56-27 with 13:35 left in the game. Boley made a 7-yard pass to J.J. Hester, which earned the Wildcats a touchdown. With an extra point, Kentucky brought the score to 56-34 with just over eight minutes left on the clock.

In the final possession of the game, the Vols weren’t able to make it back up the field. After 12 plays, Tennessee ended the game at Kentucky’s 16 yard line.

UP NEXT: The Vols will be back in Knoxville to take on Oklahoma at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, November 1.