STARKVILLE — Happy Monday, folks. As has become our weekly tradition, it’s time for the latest edition of Portnoy’s Playbook.
For those of you joining me for the first time, here’s the deal: Each week I will break down one play that made or broke the previous Saturday’s game. Whether it be offense, defense or special teams, it makes no difference. I’ll have it all here for you analyzed and explained.
With that said, let’s get to it.
After a week full of special teams blunders, soaring quarterbacks and missed opportunities, Mississippi State responded in a big way Saturday against Kentucky.
Downing the Wildcats 28-13, it was leading rusher Kylin Hill who led the Bulldog offense to 421 total yards. Hill, who is the third leading rusher in college football, gashed the Kentucky defense for 120 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries — marking the fourth-straight contest he’s eclipsed 100 yards.
“I think we need to put him in a hyperbaric chamber or whatever it’s called,” coach Joe Moorhead quipped of keeping Hill healthy this year.
Most notably, it was Hill’s 12-yard diving touchdown run that put MSU ahead by 14 early in the second quarter — a lead the Bulldogs would not relent.
With junior receiver Osirus Mitchell split out wide on the left side of the formation, senior receiver Deddrick Thomas lined up in the slot. On the right, sophomore Devonta Jason was the lone receiver wide.
In the backfield, senior tight end Farrod Green stood in a pseudo-fullback spot behind right guard Stewart Reese and right tackle Greg Eiland. Standing in the shotgun, Hill stood to the right of freshman quarterback Garrett Shrader.
On the snap, Hill turned and ran to his left, taking the handoff from Shrader.
Simultaneously, Green moved from right to left as the offensive line down-blocked to the left.
At left tackle, senior Tyre Phillips chipped Kentucky defensive end Kordell Looney, before moving to the second level of the defense and blocking a scrambling Wildcats linebacker Chris Oats.
Behind the play, Green arrived late to the edge, forcing Hill around the corner and toward the sideline instead of inside as the play is designed.
On the left hash, Thomas sprung Hill free as he sealed the edge with a block of outside linebacker Jamar Watson.
“I just like blocking for him,” Thomas said. “He’s a great back. Anytime I can help him I’m going to do it.”
Hitting the open field, Hill neared the edge of the sideline with Mitchell out in front blocking. With five Kentucky defenders bearing down on the left pylon, Hill began his ascent. Planting and leaping, he took off from the four yard line — jumping over Mitchell and Wildcat defensive back Cedrick Dort Jr.
Nearing the pylon in mid-air, Oats and safety Tyrell Ajian collide with Hill in a last ditch attempt to keep him out of the end zone. It didn’t suffice.
Crashing into the ground, Hill shot up off the ground — signaling “Touchdown” with his arms.
The play was reviewed moments later after being declared a score on the field. It stood.
“I don’t know where he got that from, where he’s been practicing that,” Thomas said of the jump through a laugh. “But it’s working.”
Fresh off Shrader’s dramatic helicopter spin on fourth down against Kansas State and Hill’s hurdling antics against Southern Miss, this week’s display from the Columbus native is just the latest feat of aerial acrobatics.
Asked postgame whether his high-flying antics were more impressive than Shrader’s viral vault, Hill was succinct.
“I did a little better than Garrett,” he said through a wry smile.
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 46 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
