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Winless Kentucky seeks breakthrough vs. Mississippi State
By GARY B. GRAVES AP Sports Writer
Kentucky continues to be to locate its very first victory of this period after hoping to contend when it comes to Southeastern Conference.
Unlike final autumn if the season was started by the Wildcats 2-3, they will have small space for mistake at 0-2. They’re not playing a 12-game schedule with 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) getting its first win Saturday night, a high task against a pass-heavy Air Raid offense that has playmakers who are 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. We truly need it to. . Whenever you fall to 0-2, you are able to react with a reality check for the situation of вЂit is exactly what it really is,’ and you may fold towards the stress.
“Or, you are able to increase above it, man up, purchased it and proceed.”
Statistically, the Wildcats have actually done several things appropriate in outgaining Auburn 384-324 and Mississippi 559-459. They lack a triumph to demonstrate due to it because of turnovers and breakdowns that are defensive paved the way in which for the Tigers and Rebels to win correspondingly.
Final week’s 42-41 loss to Ole skip had been specially painful for Kentucky, which permitted 21 unanswered points after leading 28-14 within the 3rd quarter before rallying to force overtime. The Wildcats scored a touchdown on the payday loans in Kansas control 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 slide away,” Kentucky outside linebacker Jamar “Boogie” Watson stated. “We understand that there’s much to boost upon, and far better that individuals can perform as being a defense. Everyone is anxious and intrigued to exhibit exactly how good of the protection we can really be.”
Now comes another threat that is high-flying the Bulldogs and first-year mentor Mike Leach, who orchestrated the atmosphere Raid scheme as Kentucky’s unpleasant coordinator under Hal Mumme in 1997-98. And in addition, State gets in using the SEC’s top passing attack (468 yards per game) and No. 2 offense (516.0).
An error-filled 21-14 house loss towards the Razorbacks knocked the Bulldogs out from the Top 25. The defeat that is stunning unpleasant growing pains Leach said Mississippi State must over come quickly.
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Particularly against a Kentucky group trying to achieve a 5th bowl game that is consecutive.
“Tough, gritty group,” Leach said associated with Wildcats while pivoting back into their own squad’s development.
“We need to be a reliable, constant group. We can’t rest on any degree of recognized success. We must function as team that is same snap, and I also didn’t think we were.”
Several other items to watch whenever Mississippi State visits Kentucky:
SEEKING TO REGROUP
Bulldogs quarterback K.J. Costello tossed three interceptions against Arkansas and handled 313 yards moving following 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 by having an effectiveness score of 140.7 that ranks eighth. Costello has six TDs, but in addition five interceptions.
SHARING THE STRAIN
Kentucky’s SEC-leading rushing assault (276.5 yards) is going to be split between A.J. Rose and Chris Rodriguez Jr. with # 3 runner Kavosiey Smoke out with a broken rib. Rodriguez and Rose posted job 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 within the seminar with eight receptions per game and ninth in yardage at 93.0.
Mississippi State can stop groups also and gets in simply behind Georgia in total protection (350.0). The Bulldogs are permitting simply 71.5 yards rushing per game and possess record a league-best 10 sacks.
Kentucky’s protection seeks its takeaway that is first and having a league-low margin of minus-4 with Mississippi State, which includes published two interceptions and two 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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