PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Nick Fitzgerald accounted for six touchdowns last weekend and has rushed for over 100 yards in both of his starts this season. Fitzgerald drastically improved upon his completion percentage last week, hitting on 14 of 21 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 107 yards and four more scores.
–DE Chauncey Rivers is much more on MSU’s defensive line than just a former featured athlete on the Netflix documentary series “Last Chance U.” After sitting out last season, Rivers gives the Bulldogs some quality depth on their second wave of D-linemen and usually finds a way to flash when he’s on the field.
–S Marcus Murphy flies down the field like a missile on kickoff coverage and has gotten quite a workout this season due to State averaging 50 points per game. Murphy was an offensive star in high school but has made a seamless transition to defense and doesn’t shy away from contact.
–K Scott Goodman has been impressive through the first three games with 11 of his 25 kickoffs being downed in the end zone for touchbacks. The walk-on true freshman was brought in as a kickoff specialist and has excelled in that role.
SERIES HISTORY: MSU leads 23-22 overall. Kentucky leads 14-9 in Lexington.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I’m excited to get into SEC play, the first one on the road. It’s going to be a great challenge, and we will be ready for it.” — MSU coach Joe Moorhead
