It may not have been against a championship-caliber opponent, but the Kentucky football team picked up a signature win against the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
What a game. Cliche as that statement has become, there are few words to adequately describe the manner in which the Kentucky football team overcame the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Commonwealth Stadium.
Between explosive passing plays, a dominant showing on the ground, and clutch heroics, Kentucky exorcised its 2016 demons.
The Wildcats trailed 14-3 late in the second half, but rallied back with an explosive showing in the third and fourth quarters. Stephen Johnson made plays with his arm and legs, and the defense and special teams stepped up when it mattered most.
Thanks to the clutch kicking of Austin MacGinnis, Kentucky secured a 40-38 victory to move to 4-3 on the season and 3-2 in the SEC.
@AMacGinnis8 from 50 #FTW @UKFootball pic.twitter.com/Cz6NQY76d7
— Kentucky Sports Video (@UKSportsVideo) October 23, 2016
MacGinnis is the new hero on campus.
Stephen Johnson completed 17 of 33 pass attempts for 292 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions with an additional 20 rushing yards. Jeff Badet hauled in seven passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns, and Ryan Timmons had three huge catches for 77 yards.
On the ground, Benny Snell Jr. anchored the offensive attack with 128 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
The true freshman is our offensive player of the game - again. Great game by @benny_snell! #MSSTvsUK pic.twitter.com/zDz4GDO7Ed
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) October 23, 2016
Boom Williams added 99 yards on 14 carries, thus maintaining his record-matching average of 7.1 yards per carry.
Kentucky ran for 262 yards and a touchdown as a team, and threw for nearly 300 yards on 33 attempts. It trusted its playmakers, found offensive balance during the second half, and stood tall in the face of adversity.
On the other end of the ball, the Wildcats overcame their dreadful run defense by holding Nick Fitzgerald to 81 passing yards on 21 attempts.
That includes what ranks amongst the plays of the game.
Kentucky’s defense found a way to turn defense into offense at a pivotal time. Marcus McWilson made a brilliant read to intercept a pass and take it back 45 yards for six points—a touchdown that gave Kentucky a 34-24 lead.
Following a balanced and explosive victory, head coach Mark Stoops took to Twitter to celebrate the victory.
Thank you #BBN! Don't Flinch! pic.twitter.com/OPOKWzN4Si
— Mark Stoops (@UKCoachStoops) October 23, 2016
It was a win to remember for the fans in Lexington.
Kentucky still has something to prove, but it desperately needed a win like this. Mississippi State may not be an elite team, but it’s not about the caliber of opponent.
This was a prime example of Kentucky playing and winning as a team.
The Wildcats could’ve crumbled as Mississippi State was pouring in points and dominating via the run. It could’ve given up after a first half during which it was lucky to add a second field goal with less than 30 seconds on the clock.
It could’ve lost faith after it blew a 34-24 fourth quarter lead and fell behind 38-37.
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Instead, the Kentucky football team banded together and secured its first signature win of 2016.