Bud Dupree was just a freshman at Kentucky the last time the Wildcats won an SEC game. But on the day the Wildcats' top NFL draft prospect and star defensive end made his long-awaited first sack of the season, Kentucky won its first league game since November of 2011 in beating Vanderbilt 17-7.
Kentucky beat Tennessee 10-7 to end the 2011 season, then lost 17 consecutive SEC games over two-plus seasons until Saturday.
Dupree made 1.5 sacks among five tackles on the day to help the UK defense hold the Commodores to a paltry eight first downs and 139 yards of total offense. UK sophomore quarterback Patrick Towles overcame four sacks himself to throw for 201 yards on 23 of 30 passing in the win.
For Kentucky, and Dupree, the performances were overdue.
Recall that Dupree made some awfully bold predictions at SEC Media Days about how he would perform at the NFL Scouting Combine next February. As one of College Football 24/7's most freakish athletes of 2014, he certainly should expect to do well. But for such a phenomenal athlete, Dupree had been awfully quiet this season until Saturday's game against the Commodores.
Kentucky will try to make it two in a row at the expense of Steve Spurrier and visiting South Carolina next week.
Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter *@ChaseGoodbread.*