Kentucky Wildcats fall to Mississippi State 28-16
By Paul Jordan
I’d admit, I am not a rage-a-holic after this game as I normally am. Kentucky played a horrible first half both offensively and defensively and found themselves on the short end of a 21-6 score. Kentucky’s defense forced two turnovers within the MSU 25 yard line but Kentucky had to settle for FG’s. The defense allowed two long drives where Chris Relf pretty much did whatever he wanted to. The second half gave great cause for enthusiam due to the play of freshman QB Max Smith, but the hole was too deep and UK fell 28-16. It’s going to be an interesting week as Kentucky now has a full fledged QB controversy on their hands and the heat is getting turned up on Joker Phillips.
It’s a Halloween weekend game, so instead of your normal “X did this and Y did this” recap of the game, let’s just shake out our big Halloween bag on the table and sort through the assorted tricks and treats we gathered from tonight’s game.
TREAT: UK’s black unis. I am a big fan of the black uniforms in general and when I saw UK’s unis, I went “Wow”. Very, very sharp, and very impressive. I love the blue helmets with the black uniforms, something I was a bit unsure about earlier.
TRICK: Morgan Newton went out with an injury. TWICE. The second one was midway through the first quarter with an apparent high ankle sprain and he was lost for the remainder of the game. Unfortunately, the biggest trick may have been on Newton who may be wally-pipped.
TREAT: The offensive line played their best game of the season, opening holes for the offense and providing Max Smith plenty of time to throw.
TREAT: The emergence of Max Smith as the true freshman provided Kentucky with their best QB play of the season. Smith went 24-30 for 164 yards and mastered the short passing game. Smith was poised and got rid of the ball with a quicker release than I thought he had. True, he did not stretch the field a lot, but he more than earned the right to create a QB controversy this week.
TRICK: Think we would be spared Chris Relf? Nope. Even though Tyler Russel started and played well, Chris Relf led the Bulldogs on two long drives and accounted for 2 TD’s.
TRICK: The defense as a whole, allowing three 80 yard drives. And these were not long drawn out drives. The longest of these were 9 plays and 3:39.
TRICK: Sorry Joker, but the playcalling was lacking. At some point you have to quit taking the FG’s and go for broke. Down 21-6, UK played it safe and kicked a FG from the 17. I understand that you want to put points on the board, but trading 3 points for 7 is not going to win many games.
TREAT: The defense forced three first half turnovers
TRICK: but Kentucky could manage only two first half FG’s despite getting the ball twice within the MSU 25 yard line
TREAT: Coshik Williams running. Williams has turned into the feel good story of the year for the Kentucky offense and given UK a bonafide running threat.
TREAT: Redemption for Matt Roark with 13 catches for 116 yards. Yes, 13.
TRICK: Kentucky’s first half offensive performance
TREAT: Kentucky’s second half offensive performance
In the end, it’s another bitter pill to swallow as UK falls to 3-5 and 0-4 in the SEC. The clock is rapidly running out on a bowl season, which if the bowl streak is snapped, will only increase the temperature of the hotseat for Joker Phillips. In the end, though, you have to have a feeling of hope coming out of this game in the form of a lanky freshman QB. I really don’t see any way that there is not a QB controversy this week and with a season verging on loss, it may be time to put the ball squarely in Max Smith’s hands next week and see what the future holds.
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