22 hours in the past
AP
AP
LEXINGTON, Ky. — – Chris Rodriguez Jr. rushed for 196 yards and two fourth-quarter scores, Will Levis returned from a a single-sport absence to toss a go-in advance touchdown go and No. 22 Kentucky topped No. 16 Mississippi State 27-17 on Saturday night time to halt a two-video game slide.
Rodriguez experienced a job superior with 30 carries and a year significant in yardage in his third game back from a suspension. He rushed for touchdowns of 16 and 7 yards. The Wildcats (5-2, 2-2 Southeastern Convention) sorely necessary his 2nd rating for insurance plan, coming proper following Emmanuel Forbes returned an interception 59 yards for a landing to get the Bulldogs (5-2, 2-2) inside of 20-17.
“That functioning again pounded us,” Mississippi Condition coach Mike Leach said about Rodriguez. “We failed to deal with pretty effectively. The offensive line took turns acquiring penalties. All of this is my fault for the reason that I simply call the offense.”
Levis started off just after missing previous week’s 24-14 reduction to South Carolina with a remaining foot injuries and commenced promisingly, even nevertheless Kentucky experienced only a subject target to present for it in a 3-3 to start with 50 % marred by 16 put together penalties for 124 yards. His 33-property completion to Barion Brown led to a go-ahead field goal in the 3rd quarter, but he landed tricky on his shoulder immediately after remaining strike while throwing and went to the locker home for examination.
Levis was back for the future possession and inevitably 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 ahead to make it 20-10 with 11:43 still left, and Kentucky had a possibility to extend its direct ahead of Levis threw the interception that got the Bulldogs close.
Forbes had it examine proper away and jumped the route for an straightforward pickoff. It was his next pick-6 in three games and the fifth of his vocation, tying an SEC report.
Levis quickly regrouped to strike Dekel Crowdus with a 50-garden strike, and Rodriguez dragged a number of defenders with him for the 7-lawn TD operate that was upheld on overview.
Levis concluded 17 of 23 passing for 230 yards to outdo record-breaking MSU counterpart Will Rogers, who was 25 of 37 for 203 and a 1-garden TD to Austin Williams.
FLAG Working day
This game was noteworthy for the amount and yardage misplaced to penalties by equally teams. MSU was flagged 13 instances for 109 yards, with blame shared on equally 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 few spots decrease soon after its winning streak ended. Kentucky will keep on being rated after redeeming by itself.
THE TAKEAWAY
Mississippi State: The Bulldogs entered the activity clicking in all phases and averaging above 40 details during their a few-activity winning streak. Everything came to a screeching halt as they attained the end zone just when, and that was halfway through the third period. The ground recreation managed just 22 yards.
Kentucky: The Wildcats appeared more full with Levis back again and Rodriguez including another stable general performance. Their protection bounced back large time from a flat 2nd fifty percent previous week, pressuring Rogers and limiting his receivers’ room right after the catch. Matt Ruffolo missed a 51-property subject aim, but transformed from 28 and 37 yards for points his staff necessary.
“I didn’t know the consequence heading into this sport, but I understood we would perform like that, like we enjoy,” mentor Mark Stoops mentioned. “Tough, resilient, collectively and participate in hard like we do. And that we’d respond.”
UP Following
Mississippi Point out visits No. 3 Alabama on Saturday.
Kentucky has a bye right before checking out No. 6 Tennessee on Oct. 29.
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