NCAA Game Summary - Kentucky at Vanderbilt

Nashville, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - Jordan Matthews reeled in a career-high 12 receptions for 141 yards as the Vanderbilt Commodores became bowl eligible with a 22-6 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats in a Southeast Conference matchup at Vanderbilt Stadium.

Austyn Carta-Saumuels made his first appearance under center for the Commodores (6-4, 3-4 SEC) since Oct. 19 and completed 19-of-24 pass attempts for 184 yards. Matthews's strong showing put him over the 1,000-yard mark in receiving yards for the second consecutive season. Jerron Seymour paced the hosts on the ground with 77 yards on 21 attempts. Kenny Ladler anchored Vanderbilt's defensive unit with a team-high eight tackles and one of the team's four interceptions.

Kentucky (2-8, 0-6) struggled offensively as all four of the picks came courtesy of Jalen Whitlow, who finished 14-of-28 for 120 yards. Whitlow also gained a team-best 69 yards on 17 carries while Raymond Sanders contributed 60 yards on 14 totes. Demarco Robinson led the Wildcats in receiving with four catches for 49 yards. Donte Rumph registered a game-high 10 total stops in Kentucky's 14th consecutive conference loss.

The Wildcats got off to a great start as they forced Vanderbilt to end the opening drive of the game with a punt and drove 73 yards on 11 plays to set up Jojo Kemp for a two-yard touchdown run. Kentucky's momentum evaporated as Joe Mansour's extra-point attempt was blocked and returned all the way to the other end zone for two points by Steven Clarke.

The Commodores took their first lead of the contest with only 52 seconds remaining in the first frame as Brian Kimbrow scored on a 21-yard touchdown run.

Neither side managed to produce any points during the second quarter which sent the contest into the intermission with Vanderbilt holding a 9-6 lead.

The strong defensive play continued into the second half as both offenses were shutout in the third stanza as well.

Vanderbilt ended the drought with 13 minutes left in regulation as Carey Spear connected on a 26-yard field goal attempt. Spear made it a two-possession game with just over seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter as he converted a 38-yard field goal try. The Commodores added a touchdown in the final minute of the contest as backup quarterback Patton Robinette completed a 13-yard pass to Kris Kentera for a score.

The Commodores' offense racked up only 313 yards of total offense, but still held an advantage as Kentucky finished with only 262 total yards.

The all-time series between these schools is now tied, 41-41-4.