Photo courtesy of Mississippi State athletics
Story by SportsTalk Mississippi’s Brian Hadad
In Week 1, Mississippi State, Mike Leach, and KJ Costello were the toast of the college football world, as the university’s marketing department put out a video encouraging fans to jump on the Bulldog bandwagon. Two weeks later, the wheels are completely off, as State could only muster a safety via a bad Kentucky snap in a humbling 24-2 defeat.
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) October 11, 2020
State’s offense was completely ineffective, throwing a total of five interceptions, including a pick-six for a third straight week. The Bulldogs threw 70 passes, but for only 275 yards, while only rushing for 20 yards as a team. It was the first game in Leach’s coaching career that his team failed to score a touchdown. Defensively, State was effective once again, only giving up 157 yards of offense to the Wildcats, keeping a Kentucky offense that rushed for over 400 yards a week ago to only 84 yards. Kentucky QB Terry Wilson was 8-20 for 73 yards and a score.
FUMBLE! Caused and recovered by @_ASAPxDON.
Bulldog football. #HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/qdUjbTTHET
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) October 11, 2020
Mississippi State falls to 1-2 on the season, and the offense that showed so much promise in week one has been flummoxed two weekends in a row. Even a quarterback change was ineffective, as Leach switched to true freshman Will Rogers in the third quarter. Rogers could do no more than Costello, going 9-15 for 43 yards and a pick. Kylin Hill had a total of 22 touches, but was only able to muster 96 yards. The Bulldogs will return to action next Saturday, taking on Texas A&M at home on a 3 PM kickoff.
