Tennessee's offense rebounded to lead the Vols to a 56-34 win at Kentucky.

The No. 17 Vols (6-2, 3-2 SEC) earned their highest point total in a conference game in over three years in the victory over the Wildcats (2-5, 0-5), matching the mark set at Vanderbilt in 2022. Three different Tennessee receivers picked up more than 100 yards in the contest for the first time in six seasons.

After eight games, Tennessee coach Josh Heupel has figured out how to get the most out of Joey Aguilar, and he thinks the Vols quarterback still has more room to grow.

"Super composed, never too high, never too low" Heupel said. "Fierce cometitor, tough mentally, physically and emotionally. He's very within himself and those are the winning tricks."

Aguilar's 396 passing yards are his most for Tennessee this season. Chris Brazzell II led the way with 138 receiving yards on four catches. Mike Matthews picked up 107 receiving yards, and Braylon Staley's half-dozen catches netted him 105 yards.

It's taken time, but Aguilar is now comfortable in Tennessee's offense. That comfort resulted in an explosive performance in Lexington.

"He does have really good touch," Heupel said. "He trusts his wide receivers. He's got good rapport with them. Protection, most of it's been really good too."

The Vols wasted no time to get their offense going. Two catches from ike Matthews pushed the Vols downfield, and Joey Aguilar found Brazzell over the top for a 35-yard touchdown on the fourth play from scrimmage.

Tennessee's defense came up with a big play on Kentucky's second possession. Edrees Farooq picked off Cutter Boley and took it 45 yards to the end zone, putting the Vols up 14.

Kentucky broke off a 71-yard score on a screen when it regained the ball, but the Vols bounced back with touchdown runs from Star Thomas and DeSean Bishop for a 28-7 advantage early in the second quarter. The Wildcats responded with Boley finding a receiver over the top after a mistake by the Tennessee secondary.

Kentucky's best drive of the night came on its next possession. The Wildcats drove 96 yards on a 16-play, eight-minute assault of the Tennessee defense. Javian Hester's reception capped off effort and restored a one-score margin.

Thanks to a productive two-minute offense, the Vols went up 14 before halftime. Ethan Davis made two receptions on the possession, including a 13-yard grab in the end zone. Entering the drive, the sophomore tight end only had one catch all season which came against ETSU.

The drive set up a successful second half for the Vols after an up-and-down opening 30 minutes.

"It changes the way the game is played, that combined with what we do in the second half," Heupel said. "It was a good response drive by the offense and some critical plays and throws by Joey and the skill guys."

In the second half, the Vols extended their lead further. On the second offensive play, Mike Matthews broke open for a 62-yard touchdown throw and a 21-point advantage.

Kentucky missed a field goal on its next possession, and the Vols added another score. A five-play drive ended with Peyton Lewis punching the ball in for the seventh score of the night. Bishop scored the eighth the next time the Vols got the ball.

Tennessee's defense struggled outside of generating two takeaways. The Vols allowed five touchdowns for the second straight week, and Dominic Bailey came up with the only sack of the night. Kentucky quarterback Cutter Boley threw for 330 yards, and all five scores for the Wildcats came threw the air.

"It comes down to fundamentals," Heupel said. "It's body position. . . .  It is correctable at this point."

The Vols will need to clean up their act defensively ahead of next week's clash with Oklahoma. The Sooners suffered their second loss Saturday against Ole Miss, making the contest in Neyland Stadium a de facto playoff elimination game.