Mississippi State Earns 31-17 Homecoming Win Over Kentucky

Saturday, October 30

Starkville

6:00 PM

Mississippi State

5-3 , 3-2

#12 Kentucky [HC]

6-2 , 4-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Kentucky

Mississippi St.

Mississippi State Earns 31-17 Homecoming Win Over Kentucky

October 30, 2021 | Football

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By: Joel Coleman, Senior Writer

STARKVILLE – Facing a 10-0 first-half deficit, Mississippi State scored 31 unanswered points to rally from behind and ultimately earn a 31-17 Homecoming victory over No. 12 Kentucky.

MSU was sparked by a stellar showing from quarterback Will Rogers, and a defense that forced four turnovers.

Rogers set a Southeastern Conference record for completion percentage (in a single game with more than 30 attempts) as he connected on 36 of his 39 throws (92 percent). Rogers threw for 344 yards, marking the seventh time this year he has thrown for 300 or more yards in a game, tying Dak Prescott's single-season MSU record for 300-plus-yard contests.

While Rogers orchestrated the Bulldog air attack, State also found success on the ground. MSU rushed 35 times, which stands as the team's most runs in a single game since head coach Mike Leach took over the program prior to the 2020 season. Jo'quavious Marks ran for 58 yards and touchdown, while Dillon Johnson totaled 41 rushing yards and two scores.

Defensively, the Bulldogs picked up key interceptions from Shawn Preston, Jr., Jalen Green and Cameron Young. Jett Johnson added a fumble recovery. The takeaways led to 14 of State's points and were crucial in MSU's come-from-behind triumph.

Kentucky surged ahead early, courtesy of a 74-yard punt return for a touchdown by Josh Ali in the first quarter and a 41-yard field goal from Matt Ruffolo early in the second.

From there, it was all MSU. State cut into the Wildcat lead midway through the second quarter when Marks capped off an eight-play, 75-yard drive with a seven-yard touchdown run.

Prior to halftime, the Bulldogs claimed the lead with another 75-yard drive, this one with the exclamation point put on it with a nine-yard scoring run from Dillon Johnson. That made it 14-10 State.

MSU used a huge third quarter to put the game out of reach. Brandon Ruiz connected on a 27-yard field goal midway through the period as the Bulldogs went up 17-10. Following Jett Johnson's fumble recovery moments later, Dillon Johnson rumbled into the end zone from a yard out to make it 24-10.

The Bulldogs added one more touchdown with 2:51 left in the third. Young's pick set up a 25-yard strike from Rogers to Rara Thomas, making the score 31-10. Kentucky narrowed the deficit with a touchdown pass of its own early in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late for the Wildcats as the Bulldogs went on to polish off the win.

Notables

DAWGS DOWN WILDCATS

The Bulldogs recorded their fourth win over an AP-ranked opponent under Mike Leach and first at home with the 31-17 victory over No. 12 Kentucky. Leach's four ranked wins are the most by any Bulldog head coach in his first 19 games.

ROGERS "COMPLETES" HISTORY

Quarterback Will Rogers broke the school record for single-season completions with 327 total this year. Dak Prescott was the previous record-holder with 316 completions during the 2015 campaign. Rogers now has 566 career completions, which is second in MSU history. He also has seven 300-yard passing games this season, which ties the MSU single-season record set by Dak Prescott in 2015.

MAKING A HABIT OUT OF IT

State now has a takeaway in 41 of its last 48 games with 80 takeaways in that span. The Bulldogs have recorded three or more takeaways 11 times in the 48-game span. MSU has recorded multiple takeaways in 16 games since the start of 2019, going 12-4 when doing so.
The Bulldogs also have an interception in 31 of their last 44 games.

GIVE IT UP FOR RARA

State receiver Rara Thomas caught his second career touchdown and second in as many weeks on a 25-yard reception late in the third quarter to extend MSU's lead to 31-10.

POUND THE ROCK

MSU scored multiple rushing touchdowns in a game for the fifth time under Mike Leach and the second time this season. Dillon Johnson reached paydirt twice on the night, while Jo'quavious Marks had one touchdown to go along with 58 rushing yards and a team-high 58 yards receiving against the Wildcats.

Next Up for MSU…

Mississippi State hits the road again. MSU will travel to Arkansas and play a 3 p.m. game on Saturday, November 6. The contest between the Bulldogs and Razorbacks is scheduled to be televised by SEC Network.