First, It Will Be Physical: Mississippi State UK’s Next Test
Kentucky is riding a 3-0 start and plenty of momentum heading into a game this weekend.
The way the Wildcats are playing – particularly in downing Florida on the road – has created plenty of excitement, but Mark Stoops is far from satisfied.
He can’t afford to be with the challenge his team is about to face.
“We’ve got to kick it up a notch,” Stoops said on Monday.
That challenge comes in the form of a Mississippi State team currently ranked 14th in both polls after a 3-0 start identical to UK’s. The Wildcats and Bulldogs will face off in their annual cross-division matchup at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Kroger Field.
“It’s a big opportunity against a ranked opponent at home,” Stoops said. “A lot of reasons why it’s a big game, and part of that is to win at home in a good environment like we’re going to have and I expect this week.”
Mississippi State has outscored its opponents by a combined score of 150-26, including an impressive 31-10 win on the road over Kansas State. The Bulldogs have outgained their opponents by nearly 1,000 yards total this season, averaging north of 300 rushing yards per game and allowing a paltry 2.5 yards per carry on defense.
“They’re as physical as anybody you’re going to play in this league, if not more,” Stoops said. “So you have to match it.”
UK has had no issue matching physicality so far this season on offense, rolling up 282.2 yards per game behind star running back Benny Snell Jr., dynamic quarterback Terry Wilson and a bruising line. They will face their stiffest test to date on Saturday though.
“They’re very good defensively,” Stoops said. “As always, seems like when you talk about them, they’re very long, they’re big, they’re physical and they’re experienced. They have, I want to say, three seniors on their front who are very big and athletic and one junior. Then across the rest of their defense a bunch of juniors, seniors and they sprinkle in a couple sophomores. They’re an experienced group and big, physical group.”
Experienced, big and physical are also apt descriptors for Mississippi State’s 6-foot-5 senior quarterback, Nick Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald is as likely to run you over as he is to throw on you, as he is closing on 5,000 yards passing and 3,000 yards rushing for his career.
“He’s physical,” Stoops said. “He makes plays when he has to. He’s talented with his arm. As always, when you play a team like this that’s not only physical at running the ball but they have a physical quarterback and they use quarterback runs, that makes you play with numbers, and then he’s talented enough and their receiving corps and tight ends are talented enough to hurt you throwing the ball. So, it puts a lot of pressure on you.”
Mississippi State isn’t alone in its ability to put pressure on opponents, as UK has proven the last three weeks. The Cats were bested on the road by the Bulldogs last season, with State scoring 10 points in the final 3:14 before halftime and another 28 unanswered after the break for a 45-7 win.
No doubt, UK will need to play much better to compete this time around. The Cats will also be counting on the Big Blue Nation to give them an edge.
“I just hope and expect to have a great crowd,” Stoops said. “I’m sure we will. The Big Blue Nation has not disappointed us in these big opportunities. The team is excited about being here and being in this environment and working extremely hard this week to give ourselves an opportunity to win.”
