Miss. State players still talk about win over Cats

[WildcatRick]

The University of Kentucky won't make its media day appearance until Friday, but the Wildcats did come up in conversation in Wednesday's opening session.

Last fall, UK played a big part in Mississippi State's surge to its first bowl bid in seven years. MSU was 4-4 and coming off back-to-back losses to Tennessee and West Virginia when it came into Lexington and whipped the then-No. 14 Cats 31-14. The Bulldogs beat No. 21 Alabama the following week and posted an exciting comeback win over Mississippi in the Egg Bowl before beating Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl to finish at 8-5.

Against UK, Mississippi State quarterback Wesley Carroll, then a true freshman in his fifth-career start, led the often-criticized MSU offense to scores on its first two possessions and the Bulldogs never looked back. State also picked off UK quarterback Andre Woodson twice.

”The Kentucky game, that's a game we talk about a lot,“ Carroll said.

”That was our best overall game of the year. We came together on offense, defense and special teams. We're using that game as an example of how we need to play every game this year.“

http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/469752.html

[UKhoov]

They better enjoy the memory while it lasts...cuz this year will be pay back.

[Blue Heaven]

It's not so much what they did, it's what the Cats didn't do. We clearly overlooked them. Teams not used to success has no business overlooking anybody.

[poodoo]

”That was our best overall game of the year. We came together on offense, defense and special teams. We're using that game as an example of how we need to play every game this year.“ QUOTE from link
*************

Thanks for the link, WildcatRick. Too, it's a shame that MSU pulled it together for that game against us, a game that had followed such an extremely tough part of our schedule. :icon_sad: I'll never forget our "flat" crowd AND team, including our SIX turnovers. MSU, which went to a bowl game and won eight games was obviously much better than most had expected, though. Most of all, I hope the Cats "return the favor" AT Missisippi State this season. :)

[gerntz]

Give MSU credit. 31-14 is whippin no matter how bad we played.

Sy Crooms is a good man. I hope MSU goes 7-1 in the SEC.

[BLUE-K]

Give MSU credit. 31-14 is whippin no matter how bad we played.

Sy Crooms is a good man. I hope MSU goes 7-1 in the SEC.

Agreed. We did under-estimate them, but so did Clemson with UK in a previous, certain bowl.

Regardless, MSU is not a lay down this year, I fear. And the SEC is SUPERTUFF no matter how you slice it.

[johnkyblue]

It's not so much what they did, it's what the Cats didn't do. We clearly overlooked them. Teams not used to success has no business overlooking anybody.I don't think so as much as you do. They came out hitting and hitting hard. They earned that win with smashmouth football. UK wasn't as much not trying as beaten up. Zero off weeks and the three games right beforehand against USC, LSU, and UF had taken their toll.

[UKhoov]

Give MSU credit. 31-14 is whippin no matter how bad we played.

Sy Crooms is a good man. I hope MSU goes 7-1 in the SEC.

Agreed. We did under-estimate them, but so did Clemson with UK in a previous, certain bowl.

Regardless, MSU is not a lay down this year, I fear. And the SEC is SUPERTUFF no matter how you slice it.
I do give them credit they beat us, and like johnkyblue said too we were quite beaten up, but good teams should have no excuses. MSU isnt going to be an automatic W this year, so it will be much sweeter when we get that one on the road in the SEC.

[BLUE-K]

I don't think so as much as you do. They came out hitting and hitting hard. They earned that win with smashmouth football. UK wasn't as much not trying as beaten up. Zero off weeks and the three games right beforehand against USC, LSU, and UF had taken their toll.

True...but...excellent teams do it week after week (although it's also true undefeated teams are rare in the Gen Y era [see avatar]). It seemed like all of our heart went into the LSU game, and UF was unfortunately spotted a lead from a 1st half of lack luster Cat performance (as I rem it anyway). UG and UT kinda went the same way too. I was a bit ambivalent about the second half of the season actually...USC we gave away though.

[poodoo]

Give MSU credit. 31-14 is whippin no matter how bad we played.

Sy Crooms is a good man. I hope MSU goes 7-1 in the SEC.

I totally agree, gerntz.

[KentuckyKajun]

I am still hearing about this game from my MSU friends. Look forward to driving down to Starkville and witnessing different results this season :widcat:

[bret1555]

I think John is right. From Section 111, the Cats just seemed plain worn out. In times like those, elite programs can count on the home crowd to pick them up, a bit, but I am afraid we didn't answer the bell either. I remember telling my dad before that game: "I hope the guys aren't as worn out as the fans seem like they are." The atomosphere was terrible, there was a palpable sense of "hangover" in the stadium.

We (the team, that is) dug ourselves out of so many holes early in the season and that expended a lot of energy.

On the flip side, MSU was flying around a hitting people.

[811_Storm_of_Blue]

Look at it this way..... we talk about our win over LSU as a great accomplishment.... MSU talks about their win over UK as a great accomplishment.... When we have other teams in the SEC bragging about their win over us, we're no longer the door-mat. They may be but we aren't!!!! ;)

[KentuckyKajun]

When we have other teams in the SEC bragging about their win over us, we're no longer the door-mat.
Good point.

[BLUE-K]

I think John is right. From Section 111, the Cats just seemed plain worn out. In times like those, elite programs can count on the home crowd to pick them up, a bit, but I am afraid we didn't answer the bell either. I remember telling my dad before that game: "I hope the guys aren't as worn out as the fans seem like they are." The atomosphere was terrible, there was a palpable sense of "hangover" in the stadium.

We (the team, that is) dug ourselves out of so many holes early in the season and that expended a lot of energy.

On the flip side, MSU was flying around a hitting people.

According to Lyons in his recent media day, the team lost its fire and became satisfied because of sudden success.

[VirginiaBlue]

Last year, I did a little analysis of college football stats over the previous 7 years (2000-2006). The single stat that jumped off the spreadsheet at me was the effect of turnovers on games.

A team that is plus 5 (fewer turnovers) in a game, wins 96.4% of the time. (At 6 or more, the percentage is 100% BTW).

We had six to MSU's one. I don't know, do you turn the ball over more when you're overlooking a team?

[BLUE-K]

It seems everything goes south when you overlook a team, but turnover ratio is def a big factor, and we served hot, freshly baked turnovers that MSU ate and ate and ate...while we starved ourselves.

[poodoo]

I think John is right. From Section 111, the Cats just seemed plain worn out. In times like those, elite programs can count on the home crowd to pick them up, a bit, but I am afraid we didn't answer the bell either. I remember telling my dad before that game: "I hope the guys aren't as worn out as the fans seem like they are." The atomosphere was terrible, there was a palpable sense of "hangover" in the stadium.

We (the team, that is) dug ourselves out of so many holes early in the season and that expended a lot of energy.

On the flip side, MSU was flying around a hitting people.

I, too, feel both the players AND us fans were at fault that game, bret1555. Like the UK players, WE fans showed that WE had overlooked MSU. The atmosphere STUNK, frankly.

Also, to me, sharing any blame with the players is better than merely pointing fingers. To this day, I think we fans MIGHT have been able to "pick up" our players a bit. Regardless, yes, as you say, MSU's players were obviously "fired up," and while ours were not (although I tend to understand their letdown after having played all those tough opponents in that stretch). GO CATS!!!