Sports
Winless Kentucky seeks breakthrough vs. Mississippi State
By GARY B. GRAVES AP Sports Writer
Kentucky remains to locate its win that is first of period after looking to contend for the Southeastern Conference.
Unlike final autumn once the Wildcats began the growing season 2-3, they will have small space for mistake at 0-2. They’re perhaps perhaps not playing a schedule that is 12-game non-conference opponents and don’t have time and energy to stop a three-game fall and finish 8-5 like 2019.
Kentucky will have to avoid errors against Mississippi State (1-1) to obtain its first win Saturday night, a high task against a pass-heavy Air Raid offense which includes playmakers who’re demonstrating become dangerous after making the catch.
Expected this if overcoming past adversity can help Kentucky against the Bulldogs, coach Mark Stoops said, “It better week. It is needed by us to. . You can respond with a reality check of the situation of ‘it is what it is,’ and you can fold to the pressure when you fall to 0-2.
“Or, you are able to increase it and move ahead. above it, man up, very own”
Statistically, the Wildcats have actually done a lot of things appropriate in outgaining Auburn 384-324 and Mississippi 559-459. They lack a triumph showing for this because of turnovers and protective breakdowns that paved the way in which for the Tigers and Rebels to win correspondingly.
Final week’s loss that is 42-41 Ole skip ended up being particularly painful for Kentucky, which allowed 21 unanswered points after leading 28-14 into the 3rd quarter before rallying to force overtime. The Wildcats scored a touchdown on the possession but missed the point that is extra even though the up-tempo Rebels made their PAT for the victory.
“We understand that we allow two slip away,” Kentucky outside linebacker Jamar “Boogie” Watson said. “We understand that there’s much to enhance upon, and far better that individuals can perform as being a protection. Everybody is anxious and intrigued to exhibit exactly https://cartitleloans.biz/payday-loans-ms/ how good of the protection we can really be.”
Now comes another threat that is high-flying the Bulldogs and first-year advisor Mike Leach, who orchestrated the atmosphere Raid scheme as Kentucky’s unpleasant coordinator under Hal Mumme in 1997-98. Needless to say, State comes into aided by the SEC’s top passing attack (468 yards per game) and number 2 offense (516.0).
An error-filled 21-14 house loss towards the Razorbacks knocked the Bulldogs from the Top 25. The defeat that is stunning unpleasant growing pains Leach said Mississippi State must overcome quickly.
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Particularly against a Kentucky group seeking to achieve a 5th consecutive dish game.
“Tough, gritty group,” Leach said for the Wildcats while pivoting back again to his or her own squad’s development.
“We need to be a reliable, constant group. We can’t sleep on any amount of recognized success. We need to function as team that is same snap, and I also didn’t think we were.”
Various other items to view whenever Mississippi State visits Kentucky:
TRYING TO REGROUP
Bulldogs quarterback K.J. Costello tossed three interceptions against Arkansas and handled 313 yards moving after a SEC-record 623-yard opening performance at protecting champion LSU that is national. The Stanford transfer that is graduate the conference’s top passer at 468 yards per game having a effectiveness rating of 140.7 that ranks eighth. Costello has six TDs, but additionally five interceptions.
SHARING THE STRAIN
Kentucky’s SEC-leading rushing assault (276.5 yards) will probably be split between A.J. Rose and Chris Rodriguez Jr. with No. 3 runner Kavosiey Smoke out with a broken rib. Rodriguez and Rose posted profession highs of 133 and 117 yards correspondingly to lead an effort that is 408-yard Ole skip.
Costello’s favorite target has been senior Osirus Mitchell, whom ranks 3rd in SEC getting yardage (122.0 per game) and 7th with six catches per outing with two touchdowns. He’s additionally sixth in all-purpose yardage with 122.0 per game. Kentucky’s Josh Ali is 3rd into the seminar with eight receptions per game and ninth in yardage at 93.0.
Mississippi State can stop groups as well and goes into simply behind Georgia in total protection (350.0). The Bulldogs are permitting simply 71.5 yards rushing per game and now have record a league-best 10 sacks.
Kentucky’s protection seeks its very first takeaway and comes into with a league-low margin of minus-4 with Mississippi State, which includes published two interceptions as well as 2 fumble recoveries. “We have to carry on doing just what we’ve been doing,” Wildcats linebacker Jamin Davis stated. “The outcomes will show on their own.”
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