Rapid Reaction: Mississippi State exposes Kentucky, avenges last season’s loss
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Mississippi State came up with a big win and strong effort against the Kentucky Wildcats.
Kentucky came into the game with a 5-1 record overall and 2-1 record in the SEC. The Wildcats had struggled at times but still controlled their destiny in the SEC East race going into the matchup with the Bulldogs. Now the Wildcats will need to regroup following their second SEC loss of the year.
Mississippi State picked up its second SEC win of the season by dominating the time of possession and eating up lots of yardage on the ground. The Bulldogs offense was led by junior QB Nick Fitzgerald who became the sixth QB in SEC history to rush for 2,000 yards in his career.
Fitzgerald was the big star of the win for MSU. He completed 18 of 26 passes for 155 yards and a TD, but his best work came with his feet. He led the Bulldogs with 115 yards on 12 carries with 2 TDs.
As a team, the Bulldogs racked up 282 yards rushing with 5.9 YPC against the Wildcats. Bulldogs RB Aeris Williams added 71 yards on 20 carries in the win.
For Kentucky, nothing seemed to work on the afternoon. Star RB Benny Snell was held in check for much of the afternoon. He finished with seven carries for just 18 yards with his longest run of the day going for five yards.
Kentucky QB Stephen Johnson was not much more effective than Snell. He completed 13 of 28 passes for 117 yards and 2 interceptions. One of Johnson’s interceptions was returned 84 yards for a pick six in the fourth quarter that all but iced the game. Johnson did add 54 yards on the ground, but the turnovers and ineffectiveness in the passing game allowed MSU to control the game on both sides of the ball.
The Bulldogs win gives Dan Mullen win number 66 as head coach and moves into second on the school’s all-time list for wins. Mississippi State will move on from the win and travel to take on Texas A&M next weekend. Kickoff for that game is set for 7:15 pm EST on ESPN, and it should be a good one.
Kentucky was a long shot in the SEC East but did control its own destiny in the race until the loss to the Bulldogs. The loss exposed many of the Wildcats flaws they had overcome in multiple close wins this season. The Wildcats will now return home and welcome the Tennessee Volunteers to town next weekend. Kickoff for that game is set for 7:30 pm EST on the SEC Network.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
