Staff report

sports@kykernel.com

UK came within two points in the third quarter of its game against Mississippi State University on Thursday, but could not claim the lead, falling 28-22 in Starkville, Miss.

Sophomore quarterback Maxwell Smith was at the helm of the Cats’ offense, passing for 160 yards and one touchdown on 18-of-34 attempts.

Mississippi State struck first with a 60-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Dak Prescott to junior tight end Malcolm Johnson.

The Cats responded as Smith hit freshman wide receiver Ryan Timmons for a 51-yard touchdown pass to draw the scores level on the next possession.

The next play from scrimmage was a 35-yard run by Mississippi State senior running back LaDarius Perkins. The Bulldogs scored on a 19-yard touchdown run by junior wide receiver Jameon Lewis.

After a punt for each team, UK drove 45 yards on eight plays to set up a 47-yard field goal attempt for senior Joe Mansour. Mansour missed, marking his first miss of the year on his longest field goal attempt of the season.

Mississippi State took advantage, driving 63 yards on 10 plays, capped by a 17-yard touchdown pass, Prescott to Lewis.

Mansour redeemed his miss, making a 45-yard field goal late in the first half, the longest of his career.

Mississippi State senior defensive back Nickoe Whitley was ejected from the game after being flagged for two unsportsmanlike penalties on the Cats’ field goal drive. Replay showed Whitley throwing punches after a play, garnering his second flag.

Mississippi State was unable to connect on a 47-yard field goal attempt at, leaving the score 21-10 in the Bulldogs’ favor at halftime.

After Prescott was sacked for an 18-yard loss near the beginning of the third quarter, Mississippi State sophomore punter Devin Bell mishandled the snap on a punt attempt. The ball went out of the endzone for a UK safety.

The Cats received the ball and sophomore quarterback Jalen Whitlow came in on the second play of the drive. He led a five-play, 52-yard touchdown drive, scored by freshman running back Jojo Kemp.

Whitlow finished the night with five yards passing and 12 yards rushing.

Mississippi State scored on the next possession as Lewis threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Prescott on a trick play.

Mansour knocked in his second field goal of the night, this time from 44 yards out, to bring the Cats within one score.

The UK defense held Mississippi State scoreless on the next drive, but with limited time, the Cats’ drove 29 yards on nine plays, but could not convert in the end.

UK falls to 1-6 (0-4 SEC), while Mississippi State improves to 4-3 (1-2 SEC).

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