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Here's who Kentucky might start at quarterback against Tennessee football
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- Here's who Kentucky might start at quarterback against Tennessee football
Tennessee football could face two opposing quarterbacks in a game for the fourth time in SEC play this season when the Vols host Kentucky on Saturday.
Wildcats offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan did not commit to a plan at quarterback Monday when asked if junior Brock Vandagriff will start and if they will play both QBs again. He said they will continue to evaluate the position. Kentucky played both Vandagriff and Gavin Wimsatt in its 24-10 loss to Auburn .
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"We're getting back with those guys and want to get face-to-face with them again," Hamdan said.
The No. 7 Vols (6-1, 3-1 SEC) host Kentucky (3-5, 1-5) on Saturday (7:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network) at Neyland Stadium. Hamdan spoke Monday as Kentucky coach Mark Stoops attended the funeral for his mother, Evelyn, who died Oct. 23 at the age of 88.
Who will Kentucky start at quarterback against Tennessee ?
Kentucky played both Vandagriff and Wimsatt against Auburn, which Hamdan noted was planned in advance. Both quarterbacks were aware of the plan against the Tigers.
"The decision to play (Wimsatt) last week was to give him a chance at being in there the whole time and have the opportunity to have the whole playbook," Hamdan said.
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Vandagriff, a Georgia transfer, has started all eight games for Kentucky. He has completed 57.1% of his passes for 1,236 yards and six touchdowns with five interceptions. Wimsatt has played largely in a wildcat role, but was given an extended look.
Stoops indicated UK planned to play Wimsatt on the third drive of the game against Auburn, but Vandagriff led back-to-back scoring drives. The Wildcats instead played Wimsatt the entire second half.
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Wimsatt, a Rutgers transfer, was 3-for-10 passing for 34 yards. He threw an interception on fourth-and-goal at the Auburn 2-yard line late in the fourth quarter.
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Wimsatt started 19 games at Rutgers, where he completed less than 50% of his passes for 2,537 yards and 14 touchdowns with 17 interceptions.
Kentucky has one of the nation's worst passing offenses. It ranks No. 127 of 134 FBS teams with a completion percentage of 53.2% and ranks No. 124 in passing yards per game with 166.1.
Josh Heupel says Vols will prepare for both Kentucky quarterbacks
Vols coach Josh Heupel said part of preparing for any opponent is studying multiple quarterbacks.
"I think defensively you've always got to know who the No. 2 is and have a plan for him," Heupel said.
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Three SEC opponents have played two quarterbacks against the Vols. Oklahoma turned to freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. after Jackson Arnold struggled in UT's 25-15 win on Sept. 21. Arkansas played Malachi Singleton against the Vols when starter Taylen Green was injured in the Razorbacks ' 19-14 win on Oct. 5.
Florida split time with Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway in Tennessee's 23-17 win on Oct. 12. Lagway played most of the second half after Mertz suffered a season-ending injury.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ ByMikeWilson . If you enjoy Mike's coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Will Kentucky start quarterback Brock Vandagriff vs Tennessee football
