Kentucky getting a great chance to move up into college football’s Top 25. In order to make that happen, the Wildcats would have to knock off #14 Mississippi State.
The first quarter was all about defense and mistakes. If there was good news for UK it was the fact that Benny Snell, Jr. was quickly able to rush for more yards than last season against the Bulldogs. He only had 18 and passed that in his first three carries.
Kentucky missed out on two chances to score in the first quarter. They moved deep into Mississippi State territory when Wildcats offensive lineman, Logan Stenberg was pushed down. Nothing was called until he kept talking to the referee and picked up an unsportsmanlike penalty that backed UK up and kept them from scoring.
Then, UK moved it again to set up Miles Butler for a 36 yard field goal. He was just wide right and there was no score after the first quarter.
Mississippi State would strike first as Nick Fitzgerald finished a 15 play, 80 yard drive with a 1 yard touchdown run. Bulldogs would take a 7-0 lead.
UK would get the ball back but a three and out would give the ball back to Mississippi State with 3:24 in the half at its own 10 yard line. The Wildcats defense would force its own three and out and UK would get it back with 2:15 to go in the half.
UK would make it count as Terry Wilson had a 12 yard run. Then, he completed a pass to Dorian Baker, who made an incredible catch along the sideline down to the two yard line. A play later, Snell would take it in for the score. The game was tied at 7.
It would go to halftime tied. UK winning the ground battle 100 yards to MSU’s 35. Benny Snell, Jr. leading the way with 60. Average yards per play were almost equal at 4 each and both teams had 7 first downs.
