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[FONT=Arial]This game started off with the Cats dressed in black and with the new uniforms came a visible new swagger. That swagger was soon exhausted, even by the end of the 1st quarter. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]UK fumbled the ball twice in its first few possessions but recovered. Then MSU tried its best as getting rid of the ball as well as they turned it over after only a few plays. UK could only come up with a FG after recovering the ball in the red zone.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Those trends would continue as MSU turned the ball over 2 more times as UK could only come up with FG’s. MSU, when not turning the ball over was scoring touchdowns. The bulldogs scored 21 of its 28 points in the first half.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]UK has had its share of injuries this year at running back and offensive line, and tonight the quarterback position joined the fold. Morgan Newton went down early once with a shoulder injury then again for good with a high ankle sprain. In came freshman Maxwell Smith. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Smith didn’t exactly light the world on fire as he was rushed onto the field. It took Smith an entire quarter to get comfortable, but his pocket presence led him to throwing many tough passes leading to completions. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Smith ended the game 26/33 and 174 yards. Not too shabby for a kid who’s last 2 throws in a collegiate game were terrible interceptions in a blowout loss. Smith was calm, surgical, and tough. He took some shots that could have easily burnt a bookie redshirt, but UK called timeout to let Smith gather himself and he stayed in. He may not be the future star at qb we were hoping for, but he’s definitely the best option this coaching staff has as of right now. Also, Matt Roark apparently dressed up like a D-1 football player for Halloween as he caught 13 passes for 113 yards [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]So if the offense played decently, why did UK lose? For the first time in a while we can finally attribute a loss to the defense. MSU shredded UK’s defensive line and secondary whenever they wanted. Aside from Travathan’s 17 tackles and INT, not much came from the D. I don’t recall any pass breakups or pressure on the QB all game long. UK’s offense stayed on the field enough to give the defense a rest but it didn’t matter in the end.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]Sander’s play calling look much better with a different QB in, although it was horrendous to start the game. People that want to blame Joker for this loss, you may need to explain yourself a bit. Joker went for a fake punt early and converted. They did punt later on the 37, but judging by the face of Tydlacka, the special teams flubbed that play up. Joker also went for it on 2 more 4[SUP]th[/SUP] downs. All in total, UK was ¾ on 4[SUP]th[/SUP] down conversions. Joker called a fairly aggressive game…for Joker anyway.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]As of now, This is UK football: We are starting a back up QB and a 4[SUP]th[/SUP] string running back and will be underdogs in every game the rest of the way. The cats fought hard and I, for one, am sticking with them.[/FONT]
