22 hours back
AP
AP
LEXINGTON, Ky. — – Chris Rodriguez Jr. rushed for 196 yards and two fourth-quarter scores, Will Levis returned from a a single-activity absence to throw a go-ahead touchdown pass and No. 22 Kentucky topped No. 16 Mississippi State 27-17 on Saturday night time to halt a two-game slide.
Rodriguez had a occupation superior with 30 carries and a year significant in yardage in his third activity back again from a suspension. He rushed for touchdowns of 16 and 7 yards. The Wildcats (5-2, 2-2 Southeastern Meeting) sorely necessary his 2nd score for insurance, coming appropriate soon after Emmanuel Forbes returned an interception 59 yards for a touchdown to get the Bulldogs (5-2, 2-2) in just 20-17.
“That running back again pounded us,” Mississippi Condition mentor Mike Leach said about Rodriguez. “We did not deal with really properly. The offensive line took turns having penalties. All of this is my fault mainly because I contact the offense.”
Levis started just after missing past week’s 24-14 reduction to South Carolina with a remaining foot damage and started promisingly, even while Kentucky had only a area purpose to exhibit for it in a 3-3 initial 50 percent marred by 16 merged penalties for 124 yards. His 33-garden completion to Barion Brown led to a go-in advance area objective in the third quarter, but he landed really hard on his shoulder after getting hit even though throwing and went to the locker space for assessment.
Levis was back again for the future possession and finally threaded a 3-garden touchdown pass to Rahsaan Lewis on fourth down to set Kentucky up 13-10 with 4:10 remaining in the third. Rodriguez bulled forward to make it 20-10 with 11:43 still left, and Kentucky had a probability to extend its guide right before Levis threw the interception that got the Bulldogs shut.
Forbes experienced it examine appropriate absent and jumped the route for an easy pickoff. It was his next decide on-six in 3 video games and the fifth of his occupation, tying an SEC record.
Levis speedily regrouped to hit Dekel Crowdus with a 50-garden strike, and Rodriguez dragged a number of defenders with him for the 7-property TD operate that was upheld on evaluation.
Levis finished 17 of 23 passing for 230 yards to outdo history-breaking MSU counterpart Will Rogers, who was 25 of 37 for 203 and a 1-lawn TD to Austin Williams.
FLAG Day
This video game was noteworthy for the quantity and yardage missing to penalties by both groups. MSU was flagged 13 times for 109 yards, with blame shared on both sides of the line. Kentucky was whistled 11 occasions for 81 yards.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Mississippi Point out really should continue to be rated, albeit a pair places decrease immediately after its successful streak finished. Kentucky will continue to be rated immediately after redeeming by itself.
THE TAKEAWAY
Mississippi Condition: The Bulldogs entered the match clicking in all phases and averaging above 40 details through their 3-video game profitable streak. All the things came to a screeching halt as they attained the end zone just after, and that was midway by the 3rd period of time. The ground activity managed just 22 yards.
Kentucky: The Wildcats appeared additional total with Levis back and Rodriguez incorporating yet another sound performance. Their protection bounced back huge time from a flat 2nd 50 percent previous 7 days, pressuring Rogers and limiting his receivers’ area right after the catch. Matt Ruffolo skipped a 51-lawn field goal, but converted from 28 and 37 yards for details his staff wanted.
“I didn’t know the result going into this match, but I realized we would engage in like that, like we play,” coach Mark Stoops said. “Hard, resilient, together and play challenging like we do. And that we might react.”
UP Next
Mississippi Condition visits No. 3 Alabama on Saturday.
Kentucky has a bye right before visiting No. 6 Tennessee on Oct. 29.
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