Pro Football Focus’ pass-rush productivity score measures pressure created on a per snap basis with weighting for sacks. Aaron Brule boasts the No. 2 score in the FBS and leads the SEC at 19.4.
Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Grading The Defense At Kentucky
October 13, 2020 | Football
The Bulldogs boasted the top-graded run defender in the country last week and are now 12th in the nation in total defense
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State's defense put together one of its strongest showings in over a decade last week at Kentucky. The Bulldogs allowed just 157 yards of offense, the fewest they'd allowed to an SEC opponent since 2008.
State also scored a safety for the first time since playing Charleston Southern in 2017, and nearly had a second two-point play that was overturned on video review.
MSU now ranks 12th in the FBS in total defense and seventh nationally in yards per play (4.24).
For the season, the Bulldogs have allowed 227 total rushing yards and allowed just four runs of 12 or more yards. They are averaging 75.7 yards allowed per game on the ground, which ranks fifth in the country, and are one of nine FBS teams that has not allowed multiple rushing touchdowns this season.
The senior from Columbia, Mississippi, tied his career high with six tackles and forced and recovered a fumble. It was his second career forced fumble and first recovery, and the play gave MSU a takeaway in 29 of its last 32 games dating back to 2017.
MSU now has at least 4.0 sacks in four of its last six games, with 24.0 sacks in that span. The Bulldogs lead the SEC and are tied for seventh in the FBS with 4.00 sacks per game. With a dozen sacks this year, State is nearly halfway to its season total in 2019 (28.0).
Aaron Brule had two hurries and continues to lead the Bulldogs with 13 total pressures this season. Tyrus Wheat logged a sack for the third straight game, and he leads the team with 2.5 sacks on the season.
Pro Football Focus' pass-rush productivity score measures pressure created on a per snap basis with weighting for sacks. Brule boasts the No. 2 score in the FBS and leads the SEC at 19.4. Wheat ranks third in the conference with a 12.2 pass-rush productivity score, which is 16th in the nation.
State also scored a safety for the first time since playing Charleston Southern in 2017, and nearly had a second two-point play that was overturned on video review.
MSU now ranks 12th in the FBS in total defense and seventh nationally in yards per play (4.24).
Try To Run
State held Kentucky, which entered the game averaging an SEC-leading 276.5 rushing yards per game, to just 81 rushing yards. MSU has yet to allow an opponent to break the 100-yard mark on the ground this season. The Bulldogs have held three consecutive opponents to fewer than 100 rushing yards just four times since 1976. The last time they did so came in the 2000 season, when MSU did so in five straight games, including three conference contests.For the season, the Bulldogs have allowed 227 total rushing yards and allowed just four runs of 12 or more yards. They are averaging 75.7 yards allowed per game on the ground, which ranks fifth in the country, and are one of nine FBS teams that has not allowed multiple rushing touchdowns this season.
Peters' Performance
Safety Fred Peters was State's top-graded overall defender according to Pro Football Focus with a 91.3 grade. That mark ranked fourth in the FBS for the week. Against the run, Peters was even more effective. He posted the highest run-defense grade in the country (97.0), and now boasts the highest run-defense mark in the conference this season (87.8).The senior from Columbia, Mississippi, tied his career high with six tackles and forced and recovered a fumble. It was his second career forced fumble and first recovery, and the play gave MSU a takeaway in 29 of its last 32 games dating back to 2017.
Under Pressure
The Bulldogs recorded 12 total pressures on 25 passing snaps against the Wildcats. On the defensive line, Nathan Pickering picked up a sack in the fourth quarter that gives him at least 0.5 sacks in six of his last seven games, and Marquiss Spencer logged a career-high 2.5 tackles for loss.MSU now has at least 4.0 sacks in four of its last six games, with 24.0 sacks in that span. The Bulldogs lead the SEC and are tied for seventh in the FBS with 4.00 sacks per game. With a dozen sacks this year, State is nearly halfway to its season total in 2019 (28.0).
Aaron Brule had two hurries and continues to lead the Bulldogs with 13 total pressures this season. Tyrus Wheat logged a sack for the third straight game, and he leads the team with 2.5 sacks on the season.
Pro Football Focus' pass-rush productivity score measures pressure created on a per snap basis with weighting for sacks. Brule boasts the No. 2 score in the FBS and leads the SEC at 19.4. Wheat ranks third in the conference with a 12.2 pass-rush productivity score, which is 16th in the nation.
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
S
/ Football
DT
/ Football
DE
/ Football
LB
/ FootballFOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Jeff Lebby
Thursday, April 16
FOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Kamario Taylor
Saturday, April 11
FOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Kelley Jones
Saturday, April 11
FOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Jeff Lebby
Saturday, April 11