Quarterback Will Levis had to wonder what happened at Mississippi State after throwing three interceptions in the 31-17 loss. (UK Athletics Photo)
Maybe it was a hard opening statement for Kentucky coach Mark Stoops after Saturday night’s game at Mississippi State but it really was not that complicated. Kentucky just got its butt kicked and was outplayed and outcoached in just about every phase of play. Stoops knew that, too, after the 31-17 loss for the No. 12 Cats who blew a chance to maintain national respectability.
“A pretty difficult opening statement because it has been a while since we had a game like that. Not a very good feeling. They beat us in all phases,” Stoops said.
“Physically, they played extremely hard and we did not match it. We got pushed around. We got outcoached and they outplayed us in every area. A very deflating defeat. They kicked our butts.”
Yes, they did after Kentucky got off to a 10-0 lead thanks to a 74-yard punt return for a touchdown by Josh Ali. However, Mississippi State scored the next 31 points.
The Bulldogs finished the game with 438 yards to 216 for Kentucky. State quarterback Will Rogers was 36 of 39 passing for 344 yards and one score. Kentucky quarterback Will Levis was 17 of 28 for only 150 yards with three interceptions and one score.
“He was definitely not comfortable,” Stoops said about Levis. “They do a nice job mixing things up (on defense). He went back to pressing, rushing some things, forcing the issue. But it was not just him. We did not play very good.”
No, it was not just Levis. But he certainly made some horrible decisions. Trailing 14-10 near the end of the first half, he threw an interception when at the worst UK would have had a gimme field goal.
Linebacker Jacquez Jones had 18 tackles and linebackers DeAndre Square and Trevin Wallace both had 12. However, State receivers and running backs always seemed to be running through tackles or at least gaining two, three, or four more yards after being hit.
“Missed tackles are on us. We knew what we had to do. We didn’t do that. Once the first man misses and they get extra yards that is when the offense gets rolling,” Jones said.
What about the lack of pressure on Rogers? Was it a soft zone defense, not enough players rushing the quarterback, or just good play by the Mississippi State line?
Jones said credit State’s offensive line for doing its job.
“We had plays where we sent (extra rushers) and we did not get there (to the quarterback). You have got to give it up to the offensive line,” Jones said.
You could not say the same for the Kentucky offensive line. The Big Blue Wall enabled UK to rush for only 66 yards on 20 carries. The UK running game that was so good for five games has now disappeared against Georgia and Mississippi State.
“We have to get our run game going and then it comes out to us at the receiver spots and we can make plays on the outside,” receiver Wan’ Dale Robinson, who had nine catches for 79 yards, said. “At the end of the day it is about executing and doing our job.”
Overall, Kentucky executed poorly and most of the time did not do its job and that’s why Mississippi State had its way with the Cats in Starkville again.
15 Responses
Exactly Larry.. Mississippi State did exactly want I said they would do not two days ago. They killed us underneath. Someone needs to tell Brad White that "drop eight" does not mean receivers should not be challenged. I hate to say it, but our corners did not even exist last night. Make no mistake, TN saw the same thing. I hate to pile on Levis because he was actually trying to make plays but just because you can throw it, does not mean that you actually have to throw it.
Yeah Anthony White says dropping eight does not mean backing up to cover but yet that is what UK did
Last night is not the first time an opponent has picked the UK defense apart through the air this season, and it won’t be the last time. I agree with RJohn that Tennessee is well aware of this situation, and I suggest that UL is also aware.
A week ago, I was dreaming (somewhat realistically I believe) of 11-1, and this morning must confront the likelihood of 8-4. A loss at Mississippi State to fall to 6-2 is not the issue for me, it is the manner of the loss. This one figured to be a close matchup, and I believed if one team would outperform the other by a significant margin it would be UK not MSU. Man, was that wrong!!!
Most of us were way wrong Professor and that is what was so disappointing
Out coached and Out played , no other way to put…..Gonna be hard to beat TN next Saturday nite playing like this
I agree Dennis
UK will be lucky to beat TN and UL. I truly believe they will lose at least 1 of those, and a good chance they lose both if they don’t find a run game.
Every team now knows, at this point, Levis will not beat you with his arm; don’t worry about him. Put him in as many passing situations as possible and you win the game. UK averaged 4 yards per pass in the first half; that doesn’t beat an SEC team.
Also, Levis has not been pressured to get better this year and I haven’t seen any improvements in his game to this point. Stoops and Coen have blamed the receivers all year; very little blame has been put on Levis. Yes, early in the season Stoops did say that Levis knew he had to improve, but that has not happened and there has been no consequences so far.
Levis should not have taken a single snap in the fourth quarter. UK was beat. Put in Allen and prepare him for next year. Give him the whole quarter to learn, succeed, and make mistakes. It was over!!! Great learning time for others.
If giving another a QB an opportunity to show what he can do causes a controversy, the starter only has himself to blame. If Allen truly came in second to Levis, give him some reps to learn.
I thought Allen should have played, too. Loss not all on Levis with way defense got gashed, but quarterback play was very inadequate
If a QB can’t delivered then why keep sticking with him. Stoops should have gave Allen a chance to see what he can do. Who knows we may need him next week. It’s not end of the world, but was disappointed how we played last night
Will Levis has been a starter now for what, eight games. I’m not sure its time to throw him completely under the bus. There’s nothing wrong with his arm and that’s certain. But someone on the coaching staff needs to work with him on decision making and ball finesse. A couple of passes were missed because he threw a rifle shot and it really needed touch. And, a couple of passes were just plain bone headed throws into double coverage. Better to throw it out of the stadium and live to fight another day. Still, I’m so happy we have someone that can actually throw the ball. I agree that Allen should have been given a chance to get some time under center. I think Stoops, at times, can show his stubborn streak which prevents him from making a good personnel decision in the short term. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result can make your decision making appear suspect.
I have been a UK football fan for over 50 years. I have watched UK win some, but lose more than their fair share. UK has had some pretty fair teams too in years gone by. My favorite teams are the 2019 team, with Lynn Bowden running to glory, this 2021 team, and the 1977 outfit that went 10-1. This 2021 team, until last night, was on a path down the glory road, We the fans were riding high. Then they got exposed and destroyed in Starkville, Ms last night on national TV after all the talk. No wonder UK gets no respect from the national pundits and talking heads, even as a top 25 ranked team.
Here is my problem, how can a Kentucky team, ranked 12th in the nation, with so much to play for, be so sorely dominated by an unranked team like Mississippi State? By the way, MSU was clearly ready to play. I have learned to take Kentucky football losses in stride. This one tore my heart out. I thought this game would be close, but to be so totally inept as UK was after two weeks to prepare is mind boggling. Perhaps they were physically worn down even after the bye, maybe over confident. I just don’t know.
MS had the football for over 41 minutes to UK’s 18+. Rogers completion percentage was in the low 90’s, an SEC record. It also looked like he was playing hurt. The UK defense looked absolutely helpless against this guy, and I can understand why, they were on the field all night chasing Bulldog receivers all over the field with completion after completion down the field and to the boundary. The UK offense was pitiful, and Levis should have been pulled and his backup inserted IMO just to settle him down. If for no other reason than to get the backup some game experience. What have you got to lose? Maybe UK don’t really have a backup other than on the depth chart. My question? Is one ready to roll?
This game will haunt the fans and this program for the rest of the season, and if this kind of play continues, Tennessee will beat Kentucky’s brains out. UK has got to find some capable receivers other than totally relying on Robinson and Ali all night. The defense has to get their edge back, and I mean quick. There is no shame in a loss if you have left it all on the field, I am not at all convinced UK did that last night. Every team in the nation is dealing with injuries too. Except for the big Ali punt return, UK looked awful, even with hats around MSU ball carriers and open receivers all night. These coaches need to pick it up. There is still a lot to play for, and against two big time rivals who are licking their chops about now. GO Cats!!!
I appreciate the insight of your respondents, Larry, with much better grammar here than that on the FB BBN posts. I hope we can win the next down Saturday, each down, on our way to being 7-2. This team can be very special. Next down, please!
Lot of folks with passion for UK but also very good insights
I just don’t understand the soft zone every week. I realize it hasn’t really burned us until this Saturday but every team has been able to pick us apart at times. When playing an Air Raid offense why would we adapt and tighten up coverage? 90% of their passes were short. Can’t we defend against that?
It sure burned UK against State