The Mississippi St. Bulldogs improved to 5-0 on Saturday, after defeating the Kentucky Wildcats in an SEC battle, 27-14.
Mississippi State vs. Kentucky final score: Bulldogs move to 5-0, defeat Wildcats, 27-14
Mississippi St. improved to 5-0 on Saturday, defeating the Kentucky Wildcats, 27-14.
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The No. 20 Bulldogs started the scoring off early, managing two touchdowns in the first quarter. Tyler Russell hooked up with Adrian Marcus on a 10-yard touchdown pass to give Mississippi St. a 7-0 lead. LaDarius Perkins extended that lead to 14-0 late in the first quarter, rushing for a 31-yard touchdown.
Kentucky answered the call, cutting Mississippi St.'s lead down to 14-7 early in the second quarter. Patrick Towles completed a 32-yard touchdown pass to La'Rod King, as the Wildcats clawed back into the game.
Mississippi St. responded with two field goals late in the second quarter, extending their lead to 20-7. The Bulldogs added a touchdown in the third quarter, when Russell connected with Chad Bumphis on a 27-yard touchdown pass, extending the Bulldogs' lead to 27-7.
Kentucky cut the deficit to 27-14 with 6:22 in the fourth quarter, when Jalen Whitlow ran for a 3-yard touchdown. That would be as close as Kentucky would get, though, as the Bulldogs held on, and defeated Kentucky, 27-14.
Mississippi St.‘s defense held Kentucky’s offense to just 228 total yards. Kentucky rushed for only 84 yards on 34 carries – good for a 2.5 yards per carry average.
The Bulldogs also won the time of possessing battle, holding on to the ball for 35:59 of the 60 minutes.
Box Score Hero: Chad Bumphis, Mississippi St. Bumphis hauled in nine receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown.
Rankings Ramifications: MSU’s win over Kentucky isn’t enough to justify a vault up the rankings, but the Bulldogs could move up if teams ahead of them falter.
But Did They Cover? Mississippi St. entered the game as 10-point favorites, and covered the spread.
For More On This Game: For more on Bulldogs football, visit Mississippi State blog For Whom The Cowbell Tolls, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills. For more on Cats football, visit Kentucky blog A Sea Of Blue, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.
Next Week’s Schedule: Both schools continue SEC play next week, as Mississippi St. plays host to Tennessee, while Kentucky travels to Arkansas.
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