GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: RB Benny Snell should have the opportunity to get back into triple digits in rushing against a Vanderbilt defense that has yielded an average of just over 183 yards a game on the ground. The Commodores were playing solid defense early but have given up 521 yards rushing their last two outings to Georgia and Florida. The Wildcats need to take Vandy LB Jordan Griffin as much out of the game as they can. Griffin had 18 tackles against Florida (10 solo) and leads Vandy with 68 tackles.
DRAFT SLANT
–TE C.J. Conrad (6-4, 252) continues to build on his draft credentials. NFLdraftscout.com rates him No. 1 among tight end prospects. He is a classic “safety valve” receiver for QB Terry Wilson and is considered a strong blocker as well. He had three catches in the loss to Texas A&M.
ROSTER REPORT:
–WR Ahmad Wagner could figure more in Kentucky’s plans over the last half of the season. He is a graduate transfer from Iowa who played on the Hawkeyes’ basketball team the last three years, starting 25 of 96 games. At 6-foot-5 and 238 pounds he provides an inviting target. “We’ve been working with him, and as we go good against good,” coach Mark Stoops said. “He has that great size and he can go up over people at times and create that play that we’re looking for.”
–WR Zy’Aire Hughes might be someone to watch in the future. He touched the ball for the first time this season in Kentucky’s last outing, scoring on a 49-yard reception in the overtime loss at Texas A&M. He is a sophomore who played in seven games as a cornerback last year.
–RT Naasir Watkins has a “good chance” of being able to play this week because of the extra time the Wildcats got from the open date. He was expected to miss two weeks from his knee injury.
–DE Josh Paschal, who has been battling melanoma, has made significant progress and could be available later in the season. “The procedure that was done to his foot is healing, “coach Mark Stoops said. “That’s what he’s dealing with right now. But, he is doing some light running, he is progressing with some body-weight stuff right now.” Paschal could play in up to four games and not lose a year’s eligibility under the new NCAA rule.
–WR Cleavon Thomas will redshirt this season, Stoops confirmed. Thomas has already played in three games this season (three catches for 63 yards) and can play in one more without losing a year’s eligibility.
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