Vanderbilt Football Three Keys: Kentucky

Three-keys-Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt football plays at Kentucky on Saturday night. Here are your three keys to a Commodore victory at UK.

By Don Yates

Slow down Benny Snell

Snell is the top running back in the SEC with 3,123 career rushing yards for 40 touchdowns. He’s kinda like a Ralph Webb on steroids. Slow down Snell and you slow down Kentucky.

Use time and first downs wisely

Vandy has got to use every down and second of the game to their advantage. The Commodores can’t afford to waste first down handing the ball up the middle for a half a yard. Use first down wisely an avoid the dreaded third-and-long situations. Then, of course, the ‘Dores want to pass and everyone in the stadium knows they are going to do it. Running out the clock with 1 minute left in a half is not very smart either. It’s a chance to score.

Stop returning kickoffs.

Returning kickoffs is not smart unless you are down by 25 in the fourth quarter. Returning a kickoff rarely gets past the 25-yard line. If you fair catch the kickoff you get the ball at the 25 and you a one-quarter of the way to a TD. If you return the kickoff to the 24, and get a block in the back penalty, then you start at your own 12. It just doesn’t make sense to return kickoffs. Starting a drive at the 12-yard line is a death sentence for a Vandy drive. Starting at the 25 doesn’t mean you will score but it gives you a better chance to win the field position battle.

Get momentum somehow

Vandy had momentum in the first half against Florida. Florida didn’t but Dan Mullen said after the game that he did the fake punt to give his team momentum. Vanderbilt lost its momentum and never got it back. Create momentum and do what you have to do to win even if it isn’t sexy.

Vanderbilt’s football game at Kentucky kicks off at 6:30 pm CT and can be seen on the SEC Network.

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