Vandy routs Kentucky 38-8 and a win away from a bowl berth

The Vanderbilt Commodores now must find out if they can win away from home if they want to go to their first bowl since 2008 and second since 1982. Zac Stacy ran for 135 yards and three touchdowns, and Jordan Rodgers threw for 207 yards and two TDs as Vanderbilt routed Kentucky 38-8 Saturday in snapping a two-game skid. The Commodores (5-5, 2-5 Southeastern Conference) improved to 5-2 at home under first-year coach James Franklin. They finish the season at Tennessee and at Wake Forest.

Kentucky (4-6, 1-5) had won two straight and eight of the last 10 in this series. The Wildcats, with freshman Maxwell Smith making his first road start, never threatened in this game and now must win both at No. 14 Georgia and in their home finale against Tennessee to extend their school-record streak to a sixth straight bowl game.

The Commodores sacked Smith four times and forced a turnover. They did it with their biggest win over Kentucky since a 42-6 win in 1969 and matched their largest margin of victory in an SEC game since 1971 when they beat Mississippi State 49-19. Vanderbilt dominated almost from the opening kick in jumping out to a 24-0 lead at halftime that could have been much bigger if not for its own mistakes.The Commodores outgained Kentucky 278-41 in total offense in the first half and 410-211 overall.

Kentucky avoided being shut out by Vandy for the first time since 1968 when Smith drove the Wildcats 79 yards and found Nick Melillo on a 22-yard TD with 1:41 left in the third. Smith then connected with Matt Roark for the 2-point conversion. The Wildcats outgained Vandy 158-49 in the quarter but managed only the one scoring drive.