Last year, Mississippi State played its first game in program history as the No. 1 team in the country.
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Kentucky (4-3, 2-3 SEC) moved the ball well, amassing 423 total yards, but committed three turnovers and struggled once it moved into Mississippi State territory. The crowd of 61,168, the majority of which dressed in black, clanged their cowbells as the senior took the field.
Mississippi State has been able to gain a few non-conference momentum over the past two weeks, easily beating Troy and Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs captured the win despite being undermanned. But getting to six wins and a likely trip to Birmingham at this point would be a seeming disappointment. The corner stood beside Kendrick Market, who supported himself with crutches, during pregame warmups. Within the SEC, Kentucky is tied with Texas A&M in sacks allowed with only Florida allowing more (20).
Offensively, Mississippi State played without receiver Gabe Myles, tight end Gus Walley and running back Ashton Shumpert.
Dawson noted the second-down play in the sequence was a designed run, but Towles elected to throw the screen pass that was also an option in the play.
MSU’s offense has missed the running of Prescott.
Even though the two schools are in opposite divisions in the SEC they have developed a solid rivalry, playing each other the last 26 seasons with the all-time series record knotted at 21-21.
Mississippi State’s 15-point halftime lead never sank below 12 after the touchdown.
The UK Wildcats are on the road this weekend for a matchup with Mississippi State. While he is pleased to have a core group of players healthy, he also said Monday that safety Darius West sprained his ankle and quarterback Drew Barker hurt his shoulder in his collegiate debut. The Kentucky coach was disappointed in how the Wildcats fell apart late in the second quarter.
He completed 25 of 35 passes for 348 yards. The Bulldogs held the Wildcats scoreless after Prescott’s first interception in 288 attempts.
3Strength vs. Weakness. Mississippi State ranks 22nd nationally in sacks under new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz led by defensive lineman AJ Jefferson with four and linebacker Richie Brown with three and a half. The Bulldog offense responded immediately, and Prescott hit Darrion Hutcherson for a 13-yard touchdown. His sixth came on a 19-yard rush. Prescott has been fantastic throwing the ball, completing 66% of his throws with 210 yards or more in every game but the win over Troy – he was dinged up and wasn’t needed – with 11 touchdown passes and no picks.
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Calhoun tallied three tackles to go with his two interceptions.
