GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: QB Terry Wilson’s threat as a runner looks to get tested by a Tennessee defense that has had some success defending opposing quarterback runs. Among quarterbacks, Georgia backup Justin Fields has had the most success running against the Vols with 45 yards on five carries. No other quarterback has run for more than 24 yards in a game against Tennessee. Wilson is Kentucky’s second-leading rusher with 418 yards on 100 carries but netted only 12 after losing 33 yards on sacks last week against Georgia. He had 45 yards on eight other runs against the Bulldogs.
DRAFT SLANT
–S Mike Edwards was described as a “tackle machine” by NFLDraftScout.com and certainly lived up to that billing with 11 stops in the loss to Georgia. He is a four-year starter who has nine interceptions in his career, with one this season. Edwards is fourth on the team in tackles with 57 stops this year with 6.5 for losses. He also has seen time at nickel.
ROSTER REPORT:
–RB Benny Snell Jr. left the Georgia game late in the first quarter with an injured ankle but returned in the second half after getting it re-taped. He finished the game with 73 yards on 20 rushes with one touchdown. “His ankle is more of a bruise than it is a sprain, so we’ll see how tender that is,” coach Mark Stoops said.
–FS Darius West will miss the first half of the game against Tennessee after being ejected in the second half last week for targeting. West is Kentucky’s leading tackler with 60 stops and also leads in interceptions with three.
–FS Davonte Robinson will fill in at Darius West’s spot at least in the first half. He had nine tackles against Georgia. “He was our player of the game on the defensive side of the ball here this week,” coach Mark Stoops said. “He played a good football game. He had to step in and play free” safety after spending time at nickel in practice.
–RG Bunchy Stallings was ejected for making contact with an official in the third quarter against Georgia. He will be eligible to start against Tennessee this week.
–LBs Jordan Jones and Kash Daniels will continue to wear protective coverings on their hands after sustaining injuries earlier in the season. Coach Mark Stoops said it “definitely” affects them. “I will say this,” he said. “They did both do some very good things with those gloves on. It kind of surprised me at times some of the good plays they made. And there’s times you could tell that not having the grip really hurts them.”
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