DeAndre Square's third interception sealed UK's win over Mississippi State. (Vicky Graff Photo)
When Kentucky desperately needed a big defensive play against Mississippi State, it got it from senior linebacker DeAndre Square.
He had an interception with four minutes to play to seal the 27-17n win Saturday — and don’t forget he had the game-sealing interception against Iowa in the Citrus Bowl to end the 2021 season. It was the third career interception. However, he also tallied 11 tackles.
“I feel like it did seal it. I knew something was gonna happen. We just worked so hard this week and we put a lot into this week. I mean, we do every week, but we emphasized a lot of things and we weren’t letting that game get away,” Square said after the win. “We really wanted this one. I just knew something special was going to happen.”
He was named Southeastern Conference co-Defensive Player of the Week for his play. Kentucky limited the Bulldogs to season lows in total offense (225 yards), rushing yards (22), passing yards (203) and first downs (13). The defense allowed just 10 points (seven State points came on an interception return for a score).
“I know in 2020 they were fresh into it (the Mike Leach offense), but we looked back at some of the things we did there and some of the things we did wrong in 2021 and we noticed we had to get set and then break on the ball,” Square said.
“What hurt us was the 21 missed tackles we had last year, and we knew this year we just had to tackle them. They’re going to drop it off and have big plays, but as long as we tackle, we’re gonna be fine.”
Square, a three-time team captain, needs just four tackles to reach 300 in his 56-game career that includes 42 straight starts. He knew UK needed the win over State to snap a two-game losing skid and gain some momentum before it plays at Tennessee October 29th.
“A lot of people would say our backs were against the wall, losing two games in a row and possibly could’ve lost three. I didn’t see it that way,” Square said.
“We have the opportunity to go out there and showcase what we are made of. Definitely a big game. SEC home game, two top 25 teams. Big game anywhere. Every game is one we have to win. I look at it the same.”
