Kentucky Football: Five Keys To Defeating Mississippi State

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Oct 8, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Benny Snell (26) runs the ball against Vanderbilt Commodores defensive Jonathan Wynn (49) in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated Vanderbilt 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Pound The Rock

It’d be fair to say that Stephen Johnson hasn’t been reliable as a passer. That may change, and Mark Stoops is confident that it will, but Johnson has struggled to throw the ball any reasonable distance downfield.

Having established this, the Kentucky football program must continue to pound the rock with its three-headed monster of gifted running backs.

For all of its flaws, Mississippi State has actually been strong against the run in 2016. It’s No. 37 in the country in rushing yards allowed per game—136.2—and No. 29 in rushing yards allowed per carry—3.6.

Fortunately for the Kentucky Wildcats, the trio of Boom Williams, Benny Snell Jr., and Jojo Kemp ranks amongst the best in the country.

Through six games, that three-headed monster has run for a combined 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns. Williams had 540 yards on 7.1 yards per carry and Snell has accumulated 341 yards in just four games on 5.6 yards per carry.

Kentucky will need Williams and Snell, as well as the resurgent Kemp and the scrambling Johnson, to be at their best against Mississippi State.

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