Kentucky's defense had a lot to celebrate in the win over Mississippi State. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Mark Stoops knew it was not a “pretty” game for Kentucky. However, he also knew it was a win and “we will take it” after losing three previous games. Quarterback Devin Leary threw for 156 yards and two touchdowns, D’Eryk Jackson had a 28-yard interception return for a score and the UK defense held Mississippi State’s limited offense to just 218 yards in a 24-3 win over the host Bulldogs Saturday night.
“It was not very pretty but we did what it took to get a road win in the SEC,” Stoops said. “I was happy. We talked all week about getting the win by whatever means necessary. I know it was not pretty but the defense did a heck of a job. Last week (against Tennessee) it did not play very good but I knew they would bounce back.”
The win puts UK at 6-3 and bowl eligible for the eighth straight year under Stoops — something ESPN studio host Peter Burns said was “remarkable” considering where the UK program was when Stoops took over.
The win was also UK’s first at Mississippi State since 2008 when Randall Cobb was the starting quarterback and the first win for Stoops not only at Mississippi State but against any SEC West team on the road. He was 0-11 in SEC West road games before getting this victory.
“I like coaching this team. It’s hard on these kids (when they don’t win). They invest a lot. They put a lot into games even if they do not go our way,” the UK coach said. “It gets heavy but I like the toughness, grit and resolve we played with.
“We have been working hard. It’s not perfect. Yeah, it is ugly but you don’t go on the road in the SEC and win a lot of games. We needed to win this game.”
The UK defense gave up a 12 1/2 minute, 90-yard drive in the first half but held Mississippi State to a field goal and then dominated the rest of the game. The defense had five sacks and eight tackles for loss.
Linebacker Trevin Wallace had nine tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. Freshman safety Ty Bryant, who had 12 tackles against Tennessee, had eight just like cornerback Maxwell Hairston did.
“The defense played really good football. They made some big plays and the interception early set the tone. You could tell early it was going to be a grind,” Stoops said. “We missed some plays but we also made some plays. The guys really played hard and really dug in even at the end to keep Mississippi State from scoring.”
5 Responses
It was a good win, and it was a necessary win.
It also exposes the same frailty that most Stoops’ offenses have, no QB2 prepared and capable of maintaining the offense when QB1 goes out.
The defense played a solid game except for 1 MSU possession that yielded their field goal.
It is critical that Leary be ready to go by the trip to South Carolina in 2 weeks. If he is not 100% for Saturday’s game vs. Alabama, perhaps he should sit and heal and find out what QB2, 3, … are really able to do.
Professor your right about the QB situation, Stoops never gives the backup QB chance to showcase there skills. Thats why majority of them transfer
Professor of what??
A win is a win and this one was number 6. Forget about Alabama and Louisville, we are just not on their level. A win in South Carolina is possible, but we will have to play better than we did in Starkville.
UK QB stat against Miss State,156 yards and 2 touchdowns, that’s it….. for the night! That won’t cut it against Alabama. It won’t cut it against Louisville either They are not getting enough offensive plays run either because they can’t convert on third down. Let me also add, It is bad when you can’t lineup and score inside the 5 yard line…. 1st and 10. This football team is bowl eligible, I like it, but these coaches must have been smoking something with all the big talk they did before the season about how good this offense would or could be. Let’s be honest here, Coen’s offense is not setting any records this year, and OH how we wanted a repeat of 2021. Couple problems I see that explains that……no Levis, or Wandale. No bulldozers on the line of scrimmage either. UK may beat South Carolina, but I wouldn’t bet the farm with all the frailties exposed on Kentucky football in 2023. Let me add, Tennessee owns them! That still hurts to the bone!!!!