Vanderbilt snaps 26-game SEC losing streak with last-minute touchdown to

Getty Images Vanderbilt’s 26-game conference losing streak, which went back to the 2019 season, ended Saturday after the Commodores pulled a last-minute upset over No. 24 Kentucky, 24-21. Vanderbilt had actually not won an SEC game since defeating Missouri on Oct. 19, 2019, marking the third-longest losing streak in conference history.

It looked like that streak would continue with simply over five minutes staying in the 4th quarter when Kentucky running back Chris Rodriguez busted totally free for a 72-yard goal go to put the Wildcats up, 21-17. Vanderbilt’s offense needed to respond to if the group wanted any hope of winning its very first conference game in more than 3 years. It got that answer with a 12-play drive that covered 80 yards and included a pair of fourth-down conversions– one courtesy of a Kentucky personal foul and another through a 40-yard pass from Mike Wright to Quincy Skinner to establish a first-and-goal at the 9-yard line.

Then, facing a third-and-goal with 32 seconds left in the game, Wright found his leading receiver, Will Sheppard, in the end zone for the go-ahead score.

The Wildcats got the ball back with 23 seconds delegated reach field goal variety, but they never even got close. Vanderbilt sacked Kentucky quarterback Will Levis on third down and obstructed him one play later, offering second-year coach Clark Lea a massive, program-building win. The victory also ended the Vanderbilt’s 28-game losing streak to Power 5 challengers, which was the longest active streak in the nation.

On the other sideline, the Wildcats suffered an uncommon loss as a double-digit favorite. Kentucky got in the game as a 17-point preferred however had a hard time to get its offense going throughout the day. As a result, the Wildcats ended a streak of 43 straight wins when favored by 10 points or more.