Mississippi State
2-7 , 0-5
Kentucky
4-4 , 2-3
State Falls Just Short Against Kentucky, Drops 34-31 Decision
January 01, 1970 | Football
* Official Statistics (PDF)
* Postgame Notes and Quotes (PDF)
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) - Andre Woodson threw for 284 yards and three touchdowns, and Kentucky held off Mississippi State 34-31 on Saturday.
The Wildcats (4-4, 3-3 Southeastern Conference) got their first conference road win since last season at Vanderbilt.
Kentucky broke a 14-14 halftime tie by scoring on four of its first five possessions in the second half. However, the Wildcats, who led by 31-17 in the fourth quarter, needed a recovery by Jacob Tamme on an onside kick with 2:12 left to seal the win.
Mississippi State (2-7, 0-5) got career-best performances from quarterback Michael Henig and wide receiver Tony Burks, but still lost its first five conference games for the second straight year. Henig finished 22-of-41 for 384 yards and three touchdowns, and Burks had seven catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns.
The Bulldogs' downfall, however, was due to a poor running game - they finished with just 35 yards rushing - and three costly turnovers.
Woodson was 19-of-28 passing, primarily to Keenan Burton and Dicky Lyons.
Burton had five catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns and set up two more scores with a combined 93 yards on two kick returns. Lyons added a season-high eight receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown.
The Wildcats had opportunities to put the game away in the second quarter after taking a 14-0 lead, but turned the ball over twice and missed a field goal.
Mississippi State answered with consecutive scoring drives to tie the score.
Henig, who was 11-of-16 for 174 yards in the first half, began the rally with a 75-yard touchdown pass to Burks.
On Kentucky's next offensive snap, linebacker Quinton Culbertson forced and recovered a fumble at the Kentucky 12. Two plays later, Henig hit Jamayel Smith with a 15-yard scoring pass.
Kentucky regained control in the second on Lones Seiber's 41-yard field goal, Alfonso Smith's three-yard run and a 33-yard pass from Woodson to Burton for a 31-17 lead with 13:24 left.
Mississippi State rallied to get within 34-31 with 2:20 left on a 36-yard touchdown pass from Henig to Burks and a short run by Anthony Dixon.
Kentucky has won four of the last five meetings with the Bulldogs.
Team Stats
UK 7, MS 0
UK - Keenan Burton 16 yd pass from Andre' Woodson (Lones Seiber kick) 10 plays, 82 yards, TOP 3:22
UK 14, MS 0
UK - Dicky Lyons 18 yd pass from Andre' Woodson (Lones Seiber kick) 6 plays, 63 yards, TOP 2:30
UK 14, MS 7
MS - Tony Burks 75 yd pass from Michael Henig (Adam Carlson kick) 2 plays, 80 yards, TOP 1:00
UK 14, MS 14
MS - Jamayel Smith 15 yd pass from Michael Henig (Adam Carlson kick) 3 plays, 12 yards, TOP 1:09
UK 21, MS 14
UK - Alfonso Smith 3 yd run (Lones Seiber kick), 7 plays, 46 yards, TOP 2:03
UK 21, MS 17
MS - Adam Carlson 45 yd field goal 6 plays, 52 yards, TOP 1:54
UK 24, MS 17
UK - Lones Seiber 41 yd field goal 9 plays, 30 yards, TOP 4:33
UK 31, MS 17
UK - Keenan Burton 33 yd pass from Andre' Woodson (Lones Seiber kick) 4 plays, 64 yards, TOP 1:19
UK 31, MS 24
MS - Tony Burks 36 yd pass from Michael Henig (Adam Carlson kick) 9 plays, 74 yards, TOP 1:28
UK 34, MS 24
UK - Lones Seiber 27 yd field goal 8 plays, 68 yards, TOP 3:31
UK 34, MS 31
MS - Anthony Dixon 1 yd run (Adam Carlson kick), 6 plays, 53 yards, TOP 1:35
