The Kentucky Wildcats entered Saturday night's game against the #7 Tennessee Volunteers undermanned and as significant underdogs by 17.5 points.

After three straight defeats, the Cats were looking for something positive to cling to in the turbulent atmosphere at Neyland Stadium.

There were 16 Wildcats on Thursday's injury report and they were without eight key players, so it would take a tremendous effort to even be competitive in Knoxville in front of over 100,000 fans.

Despite the odds and momentum being against them, Kentucky scored first with a 27-yard completion to Josh Kattus.

UK would control most of the first half and only give up one point to the Vols.

To the surprise of many, it was Kentucky that went into the locker room with a 10-7 lead after halftime one.

“We just have to keep swinging. It's only half. We are proud of our boys, we have done some good things,” said Mark Stoops on the way off the field.

Kentucky fought through adversity but didn't have enough strength to pull this game off, largely due to Brock Vandagriff leaving with an injury and being replaced once again by the ineffective Gavin Wimatt.

A collapse late in the third quarter sealed the game's deciding point, as the Cats ultimately lost 28-18.

Another hard pill to swallow in a season that has had a lot of them.

Here are four things to know about Kentucky football's recent setback.

Kentucky plays better against top competition

It's been an extremely inconsistent season for Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats.

At their lowest point, it was hard to imagine how they could ever get Georgia to the brink and beat Ole Miss on the road.

Tonight in Knoxville, the undermanned Cats reminded us of their abilities.

It's frustrating to think about what this season could have been when you know this team has what it takes to compete with the top programs in college football.

Kentucky gets another chance at a top-10 team on the road when it plays on November 23rd. travels to Texas.

Injuries

You really have to praise Kentucky's performance tonight considering how many players were unavailable. The Cats had already lost eight key players entering the game and lost both Brock Vandagriff and Barion Brown to potentially serious injuries during the contest.

It would have been interesting to see what the UK could have achieved with a full squad, but being banged up is commonplace this late in the season.

If Vandagriff is ever sidelined, the offense will have to reinvent itself before facing Murray State.

The offense continues to stutter

Despite competing against a top ten team, the Wildcat offense still lacks continuity and has difficulty establishing an identity.

You can't fault Brock Vandagriff's will to win. He repeatedly placed his body on the line to move the chains. He would also exit with an injury in the second half.

Bush Hamdan was replaced by Gavin Wimsatt, who unfortunately almost threw a pick-six late in the third quarter. Instead, the Vols scored on the next play. He would redeem himself on the next drive, hitting Ja'Mori Maclin for an incredible touchdown.

It didn't help much that the Cats lost Barion Brown to injury shortly after the game began. He now joins the long list of other players who are struggling.

Back to the drawing board for the offense.

A much needed week off

Without question, the Cats could use a week off to regroup. Great Britain will not take the field until November 16th. re-enters when it hosts Murray State at Kroger Field.

The most obvious reason Kentucky could use a week off is to get healthy.

As of Thursday, the Cats had 16 players listed on the injury report in some form.

That was before Barion Brown went down early in the first quarter in Knoxville. It goes without saying that rest and treatment will be key before facing Murray State in two weeks.

There is still a lot of work to be done this season with two big games left on the schedule against the #6 Texas Longhorns and the rival Louisville Cardinals. If the Cats get healthy, they might be able to win the Finals. They clearly have the talent to do it, even after Louisville just won at No. 11 Clemson.

Now let's discuss what just happened.