By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
Oct. 24, 2003
STARKVILLE There is no doubt that Mississippi State University has a large challenge in front of it when the team goes on the road for a second straight game this weekend.
Forget trying to cope with head coach Jackie Sherrill's announcement that he is leaving the program at the end of this season, the Bulldogs (2-5, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) have a much larger problem in front of them on Saturday.
The big dilemma comes in the 6-foot-4, 275-pound, or so, frame of Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen, whose team is 3-4 overall and 0-3 in the SEC.
The Wildcats senior quarterback ranks fifth on the SEC's career total offense chart, and he is second in the SEC in pass efficiency this year.
Lorenzen has thrown for 1,147 yards this season, with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions, and he has only been sacked 13 times.
The Kentucky signal- caller hasn't had great success against MSU. His passing statistics (59-of-121, 725 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions) in three previous games against MSU are far from overwhelming.
But the Bulldogs defense, which is allowing 485.9 yards per game, cannot take Lorenzen lightly.
Lorenzen will also have extra motivation entering the game against the Bulldogs, after he was pulled in last week's win against Ohio.
The hulky Kentucky quarterback lost two fumbles in the first quarter against Ohio and was replaced by Shane Boyd. Lorenzen has also been criticized this season for his fourth-quarter interception pass that played a major role in Kentucky's 24-21 loss to Florida last month.
MSU will be trying to make its own highlight film against a Kentucky defense that has struggled to stop opponents this season.
The Wildcats are allowing 363.4 yards per game, and opponents have scored 155 points against the Wildcats, with 63 coming in the fourth quarter.
Sherrill said his offense, which is averaging 383.4 yards per game, will need to find away to overcome an active Kentucky secondary in order to win.
MSU is set to kick off against Kentucky at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.