KNOXVILLE — Tennessee’s 17-game home winning streak against Kentucky is in jeopardy after the Volunteers made multiple mistakes in the first half of its game against the Wildcats Saturday at Neyland Stadium.
The Vols committed four turnovers over the first 30 minutes. Kentucky scored 17 points off Tennessee’s miscues.
Tennessee trails 17-7 at halftime.
Redshirt senior quarterback Jarrett Guarantano lost a fumble and had two interceptions returned for touchdowns.
After the two rivals slugged through a scoreless opening quarter, Kentucky scored its first points when Kelton Joseph intercepted a pass from Guarantano and returned it 41 yards. His score made it 7-0 with 12 minutes, 42 seconds remaining in the second stanza.
On UT’s next possession, the Wildcats’ Jamin Davis intercepted Guarantano and scampered 75 yards to the end zone.
J.T. Shrout played quarterback on Tennessee’s next possession. He threw an interception and Kentucky cashed in when Matt Ruffolo kicked a 30-yard field goal to make it 17-0 with 6:17 left in the first half.
The Vols finally got on the board when Ty Chandler scored on a short touchdown run with 1:36 to go before halftime.
Tennessee will get the ball to start the second half.