The Kentucky Wildcats traveled to Knoxville after three straight losses looking to upset the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. It was a wild game, especially since both teams got off to a slow start in their first practices. It was the Wildcats’ fourth straight game without a score while inside the 5-yard line. Kentucky went into halftime with a 10-7 lead thanks to a field goal and touchdown run from tight end Josh Kattus, and when they thought they were out of it, an incredible touchdown run from Ja’Mori Maclin put them back in the game.

Vandagriff went out during the 3rd quarter after a hard hit on a sack and never returned, which appears to be concussion-related, although his exact status has not been confirmed. The Wildcats had the game right in the fourth quarter, but they turned it around in the final minutes, essentially sealing it after Tennessee scored a touchdown to go up 10 points on the previous possession.

Here are some takeaways from this loss, which represents four straight losses for the Wildcats.

The Wildcats may not have come away with the victory, but they certainly showed their fight. Many thought they wouldn’t keep this one close, but Kentucky’s defense showed strong and their offense showed up early after failing to score on the first drive. They held on against the No. 7 team, but crucial mistakes and their inability to score in the final minutes gave Tennessee the victory. Kentucky’s failure to score and giving up a touchdown later in the final quarter was truly the turning point. The mistakes they made seemed to haunt them again this evening at the end of the match.

With the loss, Kentucky improves to 3-6 overall this season and 1-6 in SEC play. To become bowl eligible, the Wildcats must have a winning percentage above .500, and that became even more difficult with three games remaining. To win all three, Kentucky would have to win against Louisville State rival Murray State and have a stellar upset against Texas, which currently sits just outside the top 5 in the country. It’s going to be increasingly difficult now for Kentucky to maintain their bowl game streak, as they will need to win the final few games.

Kentucky suffered its fourth straight loss and now, barring a surprising upset on the road at Texas, they will enter their final three games of the year. If the Wildcats want to play a fourth game, they’ll have to put up the same fight they put up Saturday in Knoxville,