Kentucky stuns MSU with last-second kick

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Dan Mullen emerged from the tunnel in the north tunnel of Commonwealth Stadium two hours prior to kickoff. The coach inspected the facility trying to decipher the updates from the last time Mississippi State played in it.

But he soon realized his mind held only one memory from the previous trips.

“I just remember winning,” Mullen said.

The renovation brought a new image for Mullen. One unlike any other and one Mullen won't like. Kentucky made a 51-yard field goal as time expired to beat the Bulldogs, 40-38.

"It's tough, it's tough," Mullen said. "We'll see what we're made of."

It was the first loss to Kentucky since Mullen took over in 2009. It was the first loss in Lexington since 2005.

Mississippi State (1-3 SEC) fell to 2-5 for the first time since 2008, the final season under Sylvester Croom.

MSU scored on a Fred Ross touchdown catch with 1:09 remaining in the fourth quarter to go up 38-37 and capture what seemed like comeback win.

Two years ago, Mississippi State debuted its No. 1 ranking on the field the last time it played in the Bluegrass State. It featured NFL talent like Dak Prescott for MSU and Bud Dupree for Kentucky.

Saturday’s game featured two teams fighting for a chance to get to 6-6, but it didn’t lack entertainment. MSU trailed by 10 at the start of the fourth quarter.

Nick Fitzgerald engineered a last-minute comeback, capped by a seven-yard pass to Ross to put MSU up one.

"You lose by one play, that means you could have made one play," Ross said. "That's the bottom line."

Ross, who didn’t catch a pass in the first half, caught two in the third quarter to become the program’s all-time leader in career receptions with 163. He passed David Smith. He also became the fifth Bulldog receiver to eclipse 2,000 yards in his career.

In other games, an accomplishment like that is the lead note. The action between Mississippi State and Kentucky buried it.

Kentucky (4-3, 3-2) returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown to go up 34-24.

Mississippi State responded with an 81-yard scoop-and-score by Mark McLaurin to cut the deficit to 34-31. Cory Thomas caused the fumble as the Wildcats appeared poised to increase its lead to 17 and put the game away.

The 55-point second half contrast the first 30 minutes that saw both teams score 20 points.

Mississippi State gained 19 yards in its first four drives. It didn’t pick up a first down until the second quarter.

The Bulldogs’ first half offensive highlight came in the form of a 45-yard run from Malik Dear in the first quarter that gave MSU a 7-3 lead.

The game experienced a somber 15-minute delay as medical personnel attended to Mississippi State offensive lineman Darryl Williams. The freshman was injured on a field goal attempt in the third quarter. He left the field on a stretch and was taken to the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital. MSU stated he had movement in all of his extremities.

"You look at it. It's just a football game. In the giant picture of life, it's a football game," Mullen said. "When stuff like that happens, I think it brings reality to it."

Mississippi State gathered to pray for their injured teammate twice during the scary moment. In a difficult situation returning to the field, MSU allowed a quick score to Kentucky.

The Wildcats outscored the Bulldogs 22-7 immediately after the injury. Mississippi State wouldn’t go away, though.

The defense held Kentucky to a field goal, making it 37-31 and leaving the door open for a game-winning Mississippi State touchdown.

Fitzgerald and the offense delivered.

The defense couldn't hold in the final seconds.

Mullen walked off the field with his team behind him Their shoulders slumped and head down. Mullen didn't remember this Commonwealth Stadium.