Nov 3, 2001
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) – Reserve quarterback Kevin Fant threw a second-halftouchdown pass for Mississippi State as the Bulldogs rallied to break afive-game losing streak with a 17-14 victory over Kentucky on Saturday.
Mississippi State (2-5, 1-4 SEC) used a balanced rushing attack led byDicenzo Miller, back at full strength following an ankle injury. Miller had 136yards on 22 carries to help the Bulldogs control the clock in the second half.
Kentucky (1-7, 0-6) took a 14-7 lead in the third quarter when JaredLorenzen hit Ernest Simms on a 37-yard touchdown pass with a minute left in thequarter.
Fant then guided Mississippi State on a long drive, but failed to convert ona third-down pass attempt. The Bulldogs had to settle for a 22-yard field goalby John Michael Marlin to make it 14-10.
Fant threw a 76-yard pass to Justin Jenkins to set up the last score, withDontae Walker’s 1-yard touchdown run.
The Bulldogs kept the ball nearly 7 minutes longer than Kentucky andoutgained the Wildcats 221-2 in rushing yards.
Fant started the second half at quarterback for starter Wayne Madkin, whoonce again struggled. Fant drove the Bulldogs 80 yards in 13 plays on theirfirst possession of the half, finding Jenkins on a 9-yard touchdown pass tofinalize a drive that spanned nearly 8 minutes.
Kentucky’s first score came after David Miller intercepted Madkin’s passmidway through the second quarter. The Wildcats started at the MSU 29 andneeded only three plays as Lorenzen threw 14 yards to Aaron Boone for thetouchdown.
Lorenzen was 26-of-46 passing for 320 yards and two interceptions. DerekAbney had 12 catches for 123 yards for Kentucky.
Madkin was 11-of-22 for 87 yards with one interception. Fant was 6-of-10 for120 yards.
