For Whom the Cowbell Tolls - Mississippi State vs. Kentucky 2014 Football Game Week UpdatesGrindin' Daily for Mississippi State Athleticshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50285/fwtct-fav.png2014-11-04T08:08:54-05:00http://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com/rss/stream/67906122014-11-04T08:08:54-05:002014-11-04T08:08:54-05:00Dak Prescott's TD run against Kentucky, Starfox Remix<iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/OO0QW2HZXh1/embed/simple" width="600" height="600"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>Honestly this started as a pursuit to break down an alignment that has been successful for Dak and the offense, and it ended in me setting this run to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIkJvY96i8w" target="new">the famous Starfox line by Pepe Hare</a>. Man, what a great game.</p></p></div>
https://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com/2014/11/4/7154087/dak-prescotts-td-run-against-kentucky-starfox-remixcristilmethod2014-10-30T10:06:26-04:002014-10-30T10:06:26-04:00The #HailState Highlight for Kentucky is here<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/vbstFp5lj-M" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>Another outstanding effort by the video production team. I know we say that every time (because it's true), but these guys continue to produce great video. This one features a new intro graphic for the team (looks sharp), and I love the use of Foo Fighters' 'All My Life'. Note the lyrics "Done, done, onto the next one." An apt fit for a summation of the game, its outcome, and the Bulldogs focus at this point.</p>
<br /><p> Make sure you are following them on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/HailStateVideo" target="new">@HailStateVideo</a></p></p></div>
https://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com/2014/10/30/7131439/the-hailstate-highlight-for-kentucky-is-herecristilmethod2014-10-27T13:00:03-04:002014-10-27T13:00:03-04:00Mississippi State vs. Kentucky: Five Takeaways
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YBvB16eNiU-juGPfo9RjiXX9moI=/0x560:3223x2709/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/42810678/20141025_ajw_sf6_316.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Mississippi State survived the challenge of playing on the road as the #1 team for the first time ever. Kentucky made it a four quarter game, but the Dogs never trailed. Here are five things we took away from Saturday's game.</p> <h4>That was the worst coached game of the season</h4>
<p>It's safe to say the coaches were just as flat as the team coming off the bye week. There was no clear defensive game plan, and no in game adjustments were made at all. <span>Patrick Towles</span> changed the game with his legs and was able to keep the chains moving. Geoff Collins continued to let it happen all game long and never put a spy on the quarterback (or so it seemed). It was also the worst called game of the season on offense. Although Mississippi State finished with 326 yards on the ground, there were not near enough running plays called. <span>Dak Prescott</span> wasn't on his game from the beginning, and the receivers had their worst performance yet. Why keep throwing the football? The better question is when your offensive line is getting manhandled, why keep trying to throw it DEEP down the field? The first drive of the game, which is always scripted, was called to perfection. A lot of dump offs and screen passes that got the ball out of Dak's hands quick. The decision to go away from that and try to throw down the field when the line wasn't holding up is mind-boggling.</p>
<h4>
<span>Josh Robinson</span> deserves to be in the Heisman conversation just as much as Dak</h4>
<p>Wow. That's all you can really say after watching <span>Josh Robinson's</span> performance yesterday. Nevermind his 198 yards and two touchdowns, but he had one of the best runs by an MSU running back since Anthony Dixon's run against Houston. He broke at least seven tackles on an unbelievable play that landed #1 on Sportscenter's top 10. Oh but he wasn't done. He turned heads again on a 73 yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Robinson broke a tackle three yards past the line of scrimmage before taking off and embarrassing the Kentucky defenders on a cutback to find paydirt. <span>Josh Robinson</span> is just as critical to Mississippi State's success as Dak Prescott. I've said all year long that he's the most underrated player in the SEC, but he may be the most underrated player in the country.</p>
<h4>Special Teams still leaves a lot to be desired</h4>
<p><span>Evan Sobiesk</span> comes out and drills his first field goal of the game, and all is well. They send <span>Logan Cooke</span> out to kick the next one, which is from 42 yards out. You all know what happened next, but we can't really blame Cooke here. This is a freshman attempting his first career field goal from 42 yards in a hostile environment. He should have never been put into that situation. My guess is Mullen went with Cooke because he has the stronger leg, but Sobiesk should have been given a chance. If MSU doesn't have a kicker that can make a field goal from 40+ yards, they may be in trouble in a close game in Tuscaloosa or Oxford. Another mistake they can't afford to make in those games is another dropped punt return. <span>Jamoral Graham</span> looked comfortable at punt returner to start off the season, but it has quickly gone downhill. He has dropped balls in three straight games now, but luckily he was able to fall back on this one. Don't be surprised to see <span>Jameon Lewis</span> or <span>Will Redmond</span> back there fielding punts next week. They are playing with fire right now with Graham.</p>
<h4>1A and 1B has to go</h4>
<p>Ok, the mass substitution was all fine and good for most of the season up until now. But let's be honest, the best players should get the majority of the snaps. That's why they are starters to begin with. The 1B concept is fine for the defensive line and maybe even the linebackers at times, but not the secondary. Way too many deep passing plays are being given up, and it's going to cost the Dogs a game if it isn't fixed. The second string safeties and linebackers were exposed by Kentucky yesterday in the passing game. <span>Jay Hughes</span>, <span>Justin Cox</span>, and <span>Kendrick Market</span> should rarely come out of the game from here on out. I also think it's clear that Will Redmond is the best corner on the team, and he deserves more reps. You can't fault the defensive line at all in this game. They sacked Towles seven times and shut down Kentucky's running backs. The mass rotation is still a good idea there, and it keeps everyone fresh. But the 1B secondary players look more like true second stringers, and their reps need to be limited.</p>
<h4>This is what championship teams do</h4>
<p>Sure, it wasn't a perfect game. Mississippi State came out flat, and Kentucky came ready to play. Every team has these types of games. The fact that it was a road game didn't make the task any easier. Each time Kentucky threatened, the Bulldogs had an answer. The leadership and experience are evident on this team, and that could make a difference in a game like November 15<sup>th</sup> against Alabama. Every time they get punched in the face, they respond. Look back to the game in Death Valley. Dak Prescott fumbles on the first drive of the second half, and LSU takes it back for a touchdown. State responds with a long touchdown run from Prescott. Against Texas A&M, the Aggies come out and make it look easy on a touchdown drive to start off the game. State responds with a touchdown drive of their own. Two weeks ago, Auburn scores 13 unanswered, after several MSU turnovers, to pull within eight points and has all the momentum. State responds with a touchdown drive to end the half and go up 28-13. This team has a lot of resiliency, and they are very deserving of their #1 ranking.</p>
https://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com/2014/10/27/7077661/mississippi-state-vs-kentucky-five-takeaways-Josh-Robinson-HeismanReidACoker2014-10-26T22:03:11-04:002014-10-26T22:03:11-04:00J-Robinson's 22-yard run set to Super Mario Bros
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hUOF3u0QCS0Jbt5Et7tNrOu0WRM=/0x20:4000x2687/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/42787416/457866162.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Andy Lyons</figcaption>
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<p>Josh Robinson's highlight-reel run set to Super Mario Brothers, plus a few other great J-Rob moments from Saturday. </p> <p>You only needed to be watching the Mississippi State - Kentucky game for a few minutes to understand just how big a day Josh Robinson had yesterday. If you missed his first great run, he gave you a second, and then a third, and so on. Robinson carried the offense on a day when Dak wasn't at his best, and he showed the whole country that he's one of the best running backs not just in the SEC, but in all of college football.</p>
<p>After it was all said and done on Saturday, Josh ended up with 198 yards on 23 carries with two touchdowns. One of those runs came in the third quarter: a 22-yard gain where Josh ran about 50 yards and shed about seven or eight tackles. It was one of those runs that you have to watch two or three times to believe that it is real. But it almost felt like something might have been missing.... and that something is Super Mario sound effects and music. Enjoy!</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/LypBmN302qY" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>And as a bonus, here's a .GIF of Robinson's clutch 73-yard touchdown that put MSU back up by 14 late in the game:</p>
<p><img alt="J-Rob TD run" style="max-width:100%;" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2391534/jroob.0.gif"></p>
<p>And here's a DOUBLE BONUS: Josh having some fun videobombing Dan in a postgame interview:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="600" width="600" src="https://vine.co/v/OhQAEETQLB9/embed/simple" class="vine-embed"></iframe>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script>
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<p>It was truly Josh's day. And with his talent, I doubt it will be his last day to shine, too.</p>
https://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com/2014/10/26/7073471/josh-robinson-is-great-josh-robinson-set-to-super-mario-bros-is-evencristilmethod2014-10-26T16:18:42-04:002014-10-26T16:18:42-04:00MSU vs. UK: Player of the game
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ywgya5tttn75jFEdG16PNPlVgUc=/0x59:4000x2726/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/42769142/457866168.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Andy Lyons</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It's time to select a player of the game from MSU-Kentucky, although this vote may be a landslide.</p> <p>We've been trying to do a player of the game vote after every game this season, but there was always bound to be one or two games where the player stood out profoundly. Yesterday's game was likely that game, as MSU running back Josh Robinson ran the ball 23 times for 198 yards and two touchdowns to lead the way for #1 Mississippi State. Despite that effort really sticking out, we shall continue on with the democratic process of a vote, and we'll let you, the reader, ultimately decide for yourselves who the player of the game was.</p>
<p>Here are your candidates:</p>
<h5>Josh Robinson</h5>
<p>Josh finished the day with 23 carries for 198 yards and two touchdowns, including four or five WOW runs, and one very clutch 73-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to push MSU's lead back out to 14. It's worth going back and watching the replay just to see a few of his runs and to verify that they were, in fact, real.</p>
<h5>Dak Prescott</h5>
<p>It was far from Dak's best day, but he did end the game with a respectable set of numbers. Dak ended up rushing for 88 yards and two touchdowns while throwing for 216 yards and touchdown. Again, it wasn't his best game, but Dak did come up big in a few spots where MSU needed him.</p>
<h5>Fred Ross</h5>
<p>No receiver really stood out on Saturday, but it was nice to see Fred Ross getting some targets. Fred made the most of them too, as he caught five passes for 51 yards. Both Freds played well, and they helped State do just enough through the air to survive and advance.</p>
<h5>Christian Holmes</h5>
<p>Christian finished the day with five tackles and a tackle for loss, but his biggest play was without a doubt the game-clinching onside kick return for a touchdown with just over two minutes to play. In a spot where MSU could have opened the door for a UK tie or win, they slammed the door instead, which is what you expect from a #1 team.</p>
<h5>Beniquez Brown</h5>
<p>Beniquez does not get nearly the attention that he deserves. Brown is the QB of the defense, and if you watch him prior to every snap he's calling out run/pass. He came up big again on Saturday against the Wildcats as he led the Bulldogs in tackles with eight, including a half of a sack.</p>
<h5>Kaleb Eulls</h5>
<p>Another guy who has played under the radar this year, Kaleb Eulls made his name known on Saturday. Eulls came up with two HUGE sacks to help lead MSU to seven sacks on the day.</p>
<p>Alright, get to voting folks.</p>
https://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com/football/2014/10/26/7073941/mississippi-state-45-kentucky-31-who-was-the-player-of-the-gamecristilmethod2014-10-26T14:56:27-04:002014-10-26T14:56:27-04:00Here's Christian Holmes' onside kick return set to the TMNT theme song<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://instagram.com/p/uoGUECPssA">Here's Christian Holmes' onside kick return set to the TMNT theme&nbsp;song</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Turtle Power!</p></p></div>
https://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com/2014/10/26/7073675/heres-christian-holmes-onside-kick-return-set-to-the-tmnt-theme-songcristilmethod2014-10-26T14:41:44-04:002014-10-26T14:41:44-04:00MSU stays at #1 in AP, Coaches Polls
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6Uzg2IINrj4xZPIlrnM--tUm9N0=/0x69:4000x2736/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/42764784/457866232.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Andy Lyons</figcaption>
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<p>The Bulldogs were able to hold on to the top spot after a hard fought 45-31 win over the Kentucky Wildcats. </p> <p>It wasn't the prettiest of efforts for the newly-minted #1 team in the country, but the Bulldogs were able to come up big in key situations to seize a good 45-31 road win over Kentucky yesterday. Following that effort and the full day of games that was week nine of college football, the Bulldogs were able to remain on top of both the Coaches' and AP college football polls.</p>
<p>You can check out both polls in full below.</p>
<p>Hail State</p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" dir="ltr" border="1">
<colgroup> <col width="30"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Coaches"]'>Coaches</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"AP"]'>AP</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Massey"]'>Massey</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1]">1</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mississippi State"]'>Mississippi State</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mississippi State"]'>Mississippi State</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Alabama"]'>Alabama</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,2]">2</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Florida State"]'>Florida State</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Florida State"]'>Florida State</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Ole Miss"]'>Ole Miss</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,3]">3</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Alabama"]'>Alabama</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Alabama"]'>Alabama</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mississippi State"]'>Mississippi State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,4]">4</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Auburn"]'>Auburn</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Auburn"]'>Auburn</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Auburn"]'>Auburn</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,5]">5</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Michigan State"]'>Michigan State</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Oregon"]'>Oregon</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Florida State"]'>Florida State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,6]">6</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Oregon"]'>Oregon</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Notre Dame"]'>Notre Dame</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Georgia"]'>Georgia</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,7]">7</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Notre Dame"]'>Notre Dame</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Ole Miss"]'>Ole Miss</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Oregon"]'>Oregon</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,8]">8</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Georgia"]'>Georgia</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Michigan State"]'>Michigan State</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"LSU"]'>LSU</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,9]">9</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Ole Miss"]'>Ole Miss</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Georgia"]'>Georgia</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Kansas State"]'>Kansas State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,10]">10</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"TCU"]'>TCU</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"TCU"]'>TCU</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"TCU"]'>TCU</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,11]">11</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Kansas State"]'>Kansas State</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Kansas State"]'>Kansas State</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Michigan State"]'>Michigan State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,12]">12</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Baylor"]'>Baylor</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Baylor"]'>Baylor</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Oklahoma"]'>Oklahoma</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,13]">13</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Ohio State"]'>Ohio State</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Ohio State"]'>Ohio State</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Arizona State"]'>Arizona State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,14]">14</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Arizona State"]'>Arizona State</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Arizona"]'>Arizona</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Baylor"]'>Baylor</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,15]">15</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Arizona"]'>Arizona</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Arizona State"]'>Arizona State</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Notre Dame"]'>Notre Dame</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,16]">16</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Nebraska"]'>Nebraska</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"LSU"]'>LSU</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Clemson"]'>Clemson</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,17]">17</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"LSU"]'>LSU</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Nebraska"]'>Nebraska</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Nebraska"]'>Nebraska</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,18]">18</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Utah"]'>Utah</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Utah"]'>Utah</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Texas A&M"]'>Texas A&M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,19]">19</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"East Carolina"]'>East Carolina</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Oklahoma"]'>Oklahoma</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"West Virginia"]'>West Virginia</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,20]">20</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Oklahoma"]'>Oklahoma</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"West Virginia"]'>West Virginia</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Arizona"]'>Arizona</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,21]">21</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Clemson"]'>Clemson</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"East Carolina"]'>East Carolina</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Ohio State"]'>Ohio State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,22]">22</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"West Virginia"]'>West Virginia</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Clemson"]'>Clemson</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"UCLA"]'>UCLA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,23]">23</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Marshall"]'>Marshall</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Marshall"]'>Marshall</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Missouri"]'>Missouri</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,24]">24</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Duke"]'>Duke</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Duke"]'>Duke</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Utah"]'>Utah</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,25]">25</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"UCLA"]'>UCLA</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"UCLA"]'>UCLA</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"USC"]'>USC</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h5><em><a target="_new" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2014/10/26/7072451/college-football-rankings-week-10-2014-ap-top-25">For a composite Top 25 ranking, visit SBNation.com</a></em></h5>
https://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com/football/2014/10/26/7073563/mississippi-state-remains-at-1-in-week-10-ap-coaches-pollscristilmethod2014-10-26T09:30:02-04:002014-10-26T09:30:02-04:00WMD's Armchair QB: Here Kitty Kitty Edition
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oTYyA9WHIIaEtf2BisM05v4LnWs=/0x360:2791x2221/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/42722426/20141025_ajw_sf6_315.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Evaluating the Dawgs Win at Kentucky</p> <p>Peeps, that was a tough game. UK is a much improved team from a year ago. Mark Stoops is one heckuva coach, especially defensively. And for whatever reason, we always seem to get their best game. Maybe it's the permanent cross-division opponent aspect. But what I do know is we took care of business and left Lexington with a W. Here's what I saw:</p>
<p><b>Defense:</b></p>
<p>1. Let's just get it out of the way: Our D was not up to its usual standard yesterday. To me, we were more inconsistent than outright bad. We'd have a series or two where we'd play really well and look completely dominant. Then we'd have a series where we'd make basic mistakes. But in the end, those guys got just enough stops to get us the W.</p>
<p>2. We had our worst tackling day of the year. I can chalk some of it up to lack of sharpness following the Bye. But some of it was just bad effort or bad technique. Case in point: On UK's first TD, <span>Tolando Cleveland</span> goes for the strip along the sideline instead of wrapping up and driving the WR out of bounds. He whiffs and the WR is off to the races.</p>
<p>3. Our 1B LBs and DBs had a bad day. Deontay Evans, <span>Kivon Coman</span>, and <span>Zach Jackson</span> in particular got abused in pass coverage.</p>
<p>4. What disappointed me most defensively was how unprepared we looked. Coming off a 3-game stretch of defensive dominance, we looked like we hadn't watched any film on UK. We were totally unprepared for Towles's running ability. He finished the day with 23 carries for 76 yards. And what was worse, we never made any adjustments. By the second quarter I was saying we need to be spying him. Just a really bad gameplan and coaching in general by Geoff Collins.</p>
<p>5. The good news is our D-Line continued to show out. The finished the day with 6 sacks and held Kentucky RBs to just 27 yards rushing. Kentucky finished with just 103 total yards rushing on the day, when you include Towles's rushing yards. UK only averaged 3.2 YPC for the day. That's absolutely shutting down a run game, folks.</p>
<p>6. I saw <span>Will Redmond</span> make a tremendous play late to bat away a potential TD catch.</p>
<p>7. <span>Taveze Calhoun</span> made a really nice effort play at one point. He got blocked and fell down, but managed to dive and tackle the UK ball carrier. The play was for virtually no gain.</p>
<p>8. Honestly, I'm struggling to come up with a whole lot of defensive positives yesterday. No way to sugarcoat giving up 31 points, many on big passing plays. And we compounded it with terrible tackling. Frankly, this is the worst I've felt about our D since UAB. The thought of <span>Amari Cooper</span> scares me to death right now.</p>
<p><b>Special Teams:</b></p>
<p>1. This group continues to be inconsistent. Made FG, missed FG, muffed punt, onside kick recovery and return for a TD.</p>
<p>2. Love watching Logan Cooke. The kid has an elite leg, continuing the tradition of great MSU punters.</p>
<p>3. <span>Jamoral Graham</span> needs to get it together, quickly. He's muffed a punt 3 or 4 games in a row now. That has GOT to stop. It's almost like he's regressed since his first game as the primary PR guy.</p>
<p>4. Shoutout to Christian Holmes. Turtle seals the game with the return of the onside kick for a TD. Nice scoop, then he rumbles 61 yards, showcasing a nasty stiff arm on the run.</p>
<p>5. <strike>Sobiesk continues to be a head case. He nails his first FG attempt perfectly. His second attempt was about as bad as I've ever seen. Awful doesn't even begin to describe that particular kick. Saying it never had a chance to be good is an insult to kicks that never had a chance to be good. I'm fairly certain I'd have a heart attack if we ever have an accurate FG again. You know it's bad when I'd kill to have a DePasquale back.</strike> [Editor's Correction: Cooke actually kicked the the second field goal.]</p>
<p><b>Offense:</b></p>
<p>1. Dak finished with decent numbers: 216 passing, 88 rushing, 1 pass TD, 2 rush TD, 1 INT. The bigger concern is the severity of his injury. It seemed to be more of a "ding" than anything serious, but I'm guessing it's something that will linger and need rest. (Update: Apparently Dak was in a walking boot after the game but described it as "precautionary." Basically, a regular week for Dak and most SEC QBs.) Personally, I was disappointed in his decision making yesterday. There were numerous times he chose to force a deep pass instead of checking down to an open player on an underneath route. And he's become too fixated on the back shoulder throw.</p>
<p>2. Run the "Darn" Football Update: We ran 84 total offensive plays. We rushed the ball 51 times and threw it 33 times. That's a 60/40 run/pass ratio. Not nearly close enough to the 65%+ I was hoping to see today. Frankly, I was more upset with this than I was with our defense. UK was giving up 4.2 YPC on the season. RUN THE DARN FOOTBALL!!!</p>
<p>3. J-Beast gonna J-Beast. The stats yesterday are insane: 19 carries, 198 yards, 8.6 YPC, 2 TDs. He also added 1 catch for 11 yards. And that doesn't even tell the story sufficiently. There was one point in the game where he got the ball 3 times in a row and ran for 10+ yards each carry. He broke tackles and refused to go down. He showed tremendous vision. But most of all, he saved his biggest runs for when we needed them most. Look no further than the 73 yard run to stretch the game out to 38-24. Speaking of that run, J-Beast's cutback on that run was a thing of beauty. And he finally showed the breakaway speed I've been telling you he has. Enjoy the next 8 games, peeps. I have a strong suspicion we won't bee seeing J-Beast wearing maroon and white next season.</p>
<p>4. <span>Gabe Myles</span> continues to stand out. He's filled the Tubby Lewis role remarkably well. I don't know if Tubby decided he couldn't go or what, but it certainly appeared as if Miles took his snaps. My favorite Myles play was the WR Sweep Pass that was covered, so he cut it up and rushed it for about 8 yards. Took what should have probably been a busted play for negative yards and turned it into a positive play that gave us a short yardage situation.</p>
<p>5. Offense continues to be a machine in general. They put up another 38 yesterday, and I really felt like it was maybe our most "herky jerky" offensive performance of the season, as Dan Mullen would say. But they continued to answer every UK score with a score of their own, not letting them get the lead below 7. And we broke the 500 Total Offensive Yards mark again. Hard to find much to criticize offensively.</p>
<p>6. O-Line was very good run blocking. We wound up rushing for 326 total yards and averaged 6.4 YPC as a team. That's unreal. I thought the pass blocking was a little suspect at times, but some of that had to do with UK. We knew going in they had a very good front 4 and those guys brought it yesterday. Bud Dupre showed why he's one of the elite players in the SEC. And Za'Darius Smith showed why we fought the Cats tooth and nail for his signature out of JUCO. Can you imagine that guy on the end of our D-Line opposite <span>Preston Smith</span>? Dak ran into a couple of sacks, too.</p>
<p>7. WRs were very average as a unit yesterday. Saw a whole lot of drops, which we haven't been doing. Bear Wilson in particular had a bad day. <span>Fred Ross</span> led the team in catches with 5 for 51. Good day for him. That said, this unit blocked their tails off in the run game all day. You don't run for 326 yards without your WRs doing a big time job run blocking. Major props to them for working hard and doing the little things right when they could have sulked.</p>
<p>8. <span>Robert Johnson</span> was our most productive WR. Just 2 catches, but they went for 44 yards, an average of 22 per catch.</p>
<p><b>Coaching/Miscellaneous:</b></p>
<p>1. I'm pretty aggravated with Mullen. Through 3 quarters yesterday, we'd thrown the ball TWENTY-SIX times. That's insane. J-Beast, Dak, and the backups were running wild. We'd start running it down their throats, then pass if 5 times in a row. Just a very, very poorly called game by Dan. There's no reason for us to throw the ball more than 25 times for an ENTIRE game, unless we're behind and playing catch-up. Stop getting cute and trying to prove what an offensive genius you are. <b>RUN. THE. "DARN." FOOTBALL.</b></p>
<p>2. As I said in the Defense section, I'm outright angry and disappointed with Collins. We looked unprepared and never adjusted. Just like the UAB game. There is NO excuse for that. I love Collins, but the one area where he still has a lot of work to do is making in-game adjustments.</p>
<p>3. We were flat yesterday. I'm not saying that as an excuse, merely stating fact. It sucks, but if you were expecting us to steamroll everyone all season, you weren't using your brain. We've been due for a game where we were flat. I'm not happy it happened on the road, but at the same time, I'm pleased it happened this week against a UK team that is still outmanned. I'd have been very upset had it happened next week against Arkansas or in Tuscaloosa or in Oxford. In hindsight, we probably should have expected to be a little flat, even with the Bye week. The last 3 games were incredibly emotional affairs and very exhausting in that regard. It's almost impossible to sustain that level of emotion across 12 games.</p>
<p>4. Despite being flat, we still never trailed yesterday. Once we got up 10 in the 2nd quarter, UK never got any closer than seven. We battled our tails off and won on a day when we just didn't have "it." That's a good thing. Hopefully that's out of the system now and can come out ready to go against Arkansas.</p>
<p>5. Overall, I was pleased with our level of mental fortitude. It was a typical MSU-UK game that went right to the wire. We took their best shot and survived.</p>
<p>6. <span>Patrick Towles</span> is a special QB. He's not what I'd call a true dual threat, but he's definitely mobile. And he seems to have that special "it" the really good QBs have. He's going to give us fits the next 2-3 years and probably go on to a nice NFL career.</p>
<p>7. It'll be good to come back home for Arkansas. First ever home game at DWS as the #1 team in the nation. We need everyone to show up, be loud, be rowdy, but Respect The Bell. Look forward to seeing my 62,000+ closest friends Saturday night.</p>
<p>That's how I saw it. Fire in the hole!</p>
<p>In Mullen We Trust,</p>
<p>WMD</p>
https://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com/2014/10/26/7071379/wmd-armchair-qb-here-kitty-kitty-edition-mississippi-state-bulldogs-kentucky-wildcats-dak-prescottWar Machine Dawg