Kentucky Wildcats defensive end Joshua Paschal (4) returned an interception 77 yards in the second quarter as Kentucky played Mississippi State on October 10, 2020. Photo by Mark Cornelison
If you thought this Kentucky defense that gave up 42 points to Mississippi last week would become the first defense to keep a Mike Leach coached team from scoring, then you know your football. Kentucky got six interceptions — seven against Florida in a 1993 loss is the school record — and kept frustrating Mississippi State in the red zone to snap a two-game losing streak and beat the Bulldogs 24-2.
It was the first time Leach’s team had not scored a touchdown and lowest scoring game of his head coaching career which was a bit stunning considering UK gave up seven touchdown passes in its first two games.
And yes, this is the same Mississippi State team that two weeks ago had over 600 yards passing in a win over defending national champion LSU.
Linebacker Jordan Wright returned an interception for a touchdown and defensive lineman Josh Paschal returned an interception 76 yards to set up a 2-yard scoring run by Chris Rodriguez.
“We all knew the first two games were not up to our standards,” UK linebacker Jamin Davis, who had 11 tackles and one interception, said. “We wanted to show what we are about and make a name for ourselves.”
Kentucky’s offense was woeful. The Cats had 157 total yards, including just 35 yards in the second half. Quarterback Terry Wilson was 8-for-20 for 73 yards had just 84 yards rushing even with Wilson’s 51-yard run. Kentucky averaged 3.0 yards per play.
State threw the ball 70 times but had only 275 passing yards which was more than negated by the interceptions. The Bulldogs rushed for just 20 years.
“It wasn’t pretty but in some ways it was,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said referring to UK’s first two games where the offense put up good numbers but the defense did not. “I was really proud of our team and coaches.’
Certainly it was a win that UK needed to avoid its first 0-3 start since 1967 with seven more SEC games remaining.
“This is a weird and odd year,” Stoops said. “I told our players to ice up their shoulders because it will be physical every week. I am very appreciative to get that first win under our belt. A win is a win and I am really pleased with certain phases of the game tonight.”
He had to like the tackling, especially from his linebackers. Davis led the team in tackles but DeAndre Square had nine tackles, including five in the first quarter. Both Davis and Square broke up one pass.
Backup Jared Casey, a redshirt freshman, had six tackles. Wright had six tackles, including four solo stops. Boogie Watson had a quarterback sack, tackle for loss, two quarterback hits and an interception he took away from a State receiver at the goal line.
“I was impressed. I thought our guys were really in good position. They were coming up and using proper leverage,” Stoops said. “Tackling stands out when you miss tackles and it is difficult in this league if you are out of position. You get in space and these guys can make you miss and look silly.”
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