Tennessee’s up-tempo offensive attack generated a pair of early touchdown passes but the Volunteers and Kentucky are leading Kentucky, 24-21, at halftime.
The Big Orange took the lead as kicker Chase McGrath converted a 43-yard field goal om the final play of the first half.
Volunteers’ senior quarterback Hendon Hooker has three touchdown passes against the Wildcats.
UT scored on its first offensive play when Hooker connected with JaVonta Payton on a 75-yard scoring strike with 14 minutes, 49 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
After Kentucky pulled even on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Will Levis to Kavosiey Smoke, capping a long Wildcats’ drive.
On its next possession, Tennessee struck quickly again as Hooker threw a 72-yard scoring strike to Velus Jones Jr.
The Wildcats engineered another lengthy scoring drive to knot the game, 14-14. That possession was capped by an 8-yard touchdown run by Levis.
Kentucky took the lead on Levis’ second touchdown pass, a 3-yarder to Justin Rigg.
The Vols tied the game, 21-21, on Hooker’s touchdown pass to tight end Jacob Warren.
The Wildcats get the ball to start the second half.