The Kentucky Wildcats (5-3, 1-3 SEC) will roll into Starkville this Saturday with the second-ranked offense in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) led by two outstanding individuals in running back Artose Pinner and quarterback Jared Lorenzen. The Bulldog defense has to be prepared for both a fierce running attack and a dazzling passing frenzy. Quarterback Jared Lorenzen has been stamped with the nickname of “hefty lefty.” He is a 275-pound junior quarterback that outweighs his entire offensive line except for one man, Lorenzen is a very big quarterback with a very strong arm. He has a passing percentage of just fewer than 60 percent and averages 216 yards a game. Lorenzen’s weight has its positives and negatives. He is not very quick on his feet, but he is extremely hard to bring down. Tackling him is equivalent to tackling offensive lineman.
Lorenzen is first in the SEC with 19 touchdown passes and also leads in passing efficiency. But above all Lorenzen’s most vital talent is that he is a true “play-maker.”
First year head coach Guy Morriss gave his input about Lorenzen being roughed up in the Wildcats loss against 5th ranked Georgia last week.
“He’s day-to-day. Much of the swelling has gone down and he is moving around a lot better. He’s still day to day,” Morriss said.
Jared Lorenzen will have to face Joe Lee Dunn’s stubborn passing defense, which has held opponents to an average of 150 yards per game (2nd in the SEC only behind LSU).
“You put everything in the computer and work on the top four or five things they like to do,” Morriss said. “Our kids just have to be athletes and they have to go out and make plays.”
The other weapon on the Wildcat offense is 219-pound senior running back Artose Pinner. Pinner leads the SEC in total rushing yards with 111.5 a game and has eight touchdowns on the season. He has had five 100-yard games along with a 167-yard performance against Middle Tennessee State and a 111-yard game against Georgia.
“It’s going to be real important for us to run the ball,” says head coach Guy Morriss. Pinner is a vital weapon to the Kentucky Wildcats that has to be stopped in order for the Bulldogs to have a chance at a victory.”
Kentucky’s downfall comes on the opposite side of the ball. The Wildcat defense has allowed an average of 243 passing yards per game and ranks dead last in the SEC in giving up rushing yards. On average they have given up 417 total yards per game, which also ranks last in the SEC. The Wildcats gave up 52 points to Georgia last week and an abominable 529 total net yards, 350 of which came from the pass. If the Bulldogs can split up the Kentucky secondary and use that as a tool to run the ball, Mississippi State will be in good shape in this SEC battle.
“There’s no damage to our confidence,” Kentucky strong safety David Johnson said. “Georgia executed their game plan and beat us, but we can’t harp on the past, we have to get ready to play Mississippi State now.”
Mississippi State trails Kentucky 16-13 in the overall series, but at Scott Field the Bulldogs lead the series 8-3 and have won five of the last six in Davis-Wade Stadium.
MSU coach Jackie Sherrill is 8-3 vs. the ‘Cats and has compiled a 1-0 record against UK coach Guy Morriss.
The Wildcats are being penalized this year for NCAA sanctions and are not able to neither attend a bowl game nor go to the SEC championship.
“The stadium is loud down there,” Wildcat defensive end Otis Grigsby said. “Their fans really get into the game and it makes for a rowdy atmosphere, but we look forward to the challenge of playing in that kind of environment on the road.