Mississippi State dominates Kentucky
STARKVILLE, Miss. — Nick Fitzgerald had 270 total yards and three touchdowns to lead Mississippi State to 45-7 victory over Kentucky on Saturday.
Mississippi State (5-2, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) dominated the game from the opening quarter and never trailed. The Bulldogs finished with 441 total yards of offense and averaged 5.9 per play.
“We’ve still got it,” wide receiver Donald Grey said. “We’ve still got some growing to do, but we haven’t fallen all the way off.”
Fitzgerald, a junior, led all rushers with 115 yards and became just the sixth SEC quarterback to rush for over 2,000 career yards. He was also 18-of26 passing for 155 yards and a touchdown to Jordan Thomas.
Kentucky (5-2, 2-2 SEC) managed just 260 total yards of offense and 14 first downs against one of the nation’s toughest defensive units. The Wildcats trailed 17-7 at the half and crossed midfield on only three drives the entire game.
“We were able to take them out of what they wanted to do early,” Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said. “I challenged our defense to really get after the quarterback in the second half, and they really stepped up.”
Stephen Johnson passed for 117 yards but threw two interceptions, including an 84-yard pick-six by Gerri Green.
Kentucky’s defense was even less successful. The nation’s No. 10 rushing defense allowed a season-high 282 yards on the ground.
“We knew with their rush defense they were going to want to stop the run,” Mullen said. “So we tried to come out balanced so they couldn’t load up the line. Then we could wear them down.”
Mississippi State dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 34:49.
“Even on the first series you could see, we’re moving these guys,” Fitzgerald said. “If we’re going to keep getting 3 or 4 yards a pop, we’re going to be fine.”
› Missouri 68,
Idaho 21
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri ended a five-game losing streak with a victory over Idaho.
Drew Lock completed 23-of-33 passes for 467 yards and six touchdowns. He fell one touchdown pass short of the school record he set in the season opener. J’Mon Moore caught 11 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown.
Missouri (2-5) dominated in all phases. In addition to piling up 658 total yards, the Tigers scored on Richaud Floyd’s 85-yard punt return and were set up for another TD when Ronnell Perkins recovered a muffed kickoff in the first quarter.