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LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Mississippi State coach Dan Mullens unbeaten mark against Kentucky could be in jeopardy.The Bulldogs (2-4, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) are 7-0 against the Wildcats under Mullen but have struggled this year after the departure of quarterback Dak Prescott to the NFL. Mississippi State has lost three of its past four, making Saturday nights game at Kentucky (3-3, 2-2 SEC) a must-win if the Bulldogs hope to extend their run of consecutive bowl appearances to seven.Despite the first-half disappointment, Mullen remains confident the Bulldogs can finish strong and keep their string intact.When you face a little bit of adversity, it tests your character, but it can really pull a team closer together, Mullen said. Stuff like that can actually help pull the team closer together at times.Kentucky understands. After struggling early, the Wildcats still have a chance to become bowl eligible.Since starting 0-2, Kentucky has won three of its last four with two SEC victories. A defense that ranked last in the league a month ago now stands 11th and is a key reason for the surge.The Wildcats are coming off a bye that gave them an opportunity to recharge for the seasons final six weeks. Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said his team used the week off to address areas of concern as it aims to finish the stretch run better than the past two years.I felt like we used it wisely to heal up and look at all areas we need to improve on and continue to build on all the things we were doing well, he said.The Wildcats now just need to break through against the Bulldogs.Kentucky is 0-3 against MSU under Stoops and lost 42-16 to the Bulldogs last season in Starkville. Stoops is relieved Prescott has moved on to the pros but said that doesnt make ending the Wildcats drought against the Bulldogs any easier.They are still difficult to defend, Stoops said. They have always been multiple and coach (Dan) Mullen has always been difficult to defend.---Some other things to watch as Mississippi State visits Kentucky:FOCUSED ON NOW: Kentucky is tied with Tennessee (5-2, 2-2) in the SEC East with four league games remaining and can finish in the divisions upper half. But Stoops said his team cant look ahead, with good reason: the Wildcats are a combined 1-11 in the second half the past two years and have fallen just short of the six-win threshold for bowl eligibility both times. It is so hard to look at that big picture, he said. Six weeks is so far from here in the football world. We are worried about today.FITZGERALDS THE KEY: Mississippi State sophomore quarterback Nick Fitzgerald is the teams leading passer and rusher this season. He ranks fifth in the nation in average rushing yards for a QB with 78 per game. Hes one of just three signal callers in the country who has had 300 yards passing and 100 yards rushing in a game this season.JOHNSON REBOOT: Kentucky quarterback Stephen Johnson is 2-1 as a starter and has led the Wildcats to three victories since relieving an injured Drew Barker against New Mexico State on Sept. 17. But he threw for just 49 yards against Vanderbilt two weeks ago and used the bye week to regain his rhythm.FEASTING ON THE EAST: The Bulldogs have recently given SEC East teams fits with five straight wins against the division, all by double digits. Mullen is 14-4 against the SEC East.---AP Sports Writer David Brandt in Starkville, Mississippi, contributed to this report.---AP College Football: collegefootball.ap.org. John Gibson Jersey . Two pressure cooker bombs exploded near the finish line of the April 15 race in an area packed with fans cheering the passing runners. Three people were killed and more than 260 injured, including at least 16 who lost limbs. 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LINCOLN, Neb. -- Bring on Oregon.Nebraska tuned up for the No. 24 Ducks with a 52-17 victory over Wyoming, which trailed by seven points late in the third quarter but saw the game get out of control because of Josh Allens six turnovers, all in the second half Saturday.Now a Nebraska program trying to regain national relevance can turn its full attention to one of the most anticipated games in Lincoln in years.Oregon, theyre no joke, said Jordan Westerkamp, who caught two of Tommy Armstrong Jr.s three touchdown passes and had 105 yards on four receptions. Theyre a top program in the entire nation. This will be our first big test. We have to take them extremely serious and have a great week of practice because theyre going to come ready to play.If we can get a win against Oregon, thatll be huge for our program. On a national level, just beating a team like that should propel us forward in a lot of peoples minds.Nebraska (2-0), which ran on 51 of 64 plays in last weeks 43-10 win over Fresno State, relied on the pass against Wyoming (1-1). Armstrong was 20 of 34 for 377 yards, and the Huskers finished with 412 yards through the air after backup Ryker Fyfe played the last two series.Armstrong set the school career record for touchdown passes, with his 57th coming on a 9-yard pass to Westerkamp in the fourth quarter. The fourth-year starting QB was presented the game ball in the locker room for his accomplishment.I couldnt do it without those guys, Armstrong said. They did a great job making plays -- a bunch of catches and yards after contact. We have a lot of season left, and Im excited about those guys out wide.Six of Wyomings last seven second-half possessions ended with turnovers -- five interceptions and a bad lateral by Allen that was counted as a fumble -- and the Huskers scored 28 points in the fourth quarter.There was a tipping point in the game, and sometimes they get away from you. That one did, Cowboys coach Craig Bohl said. I dont know where the exact tipping point was, but it was after one of those interceptions. The score starteed getting tough.ddddddddddddKieron Williams ran back an interception 23 yards for a touchdown, and Nate Gerry picked off two passes.I think its great to be 2-0 going into this game, Nebraska coach Mike Riley said. The more you win, the more exciting the next game gets. This one, being who they are and what they mean nationally and where we want to go, this is exciting.THE TAKEAWAYWYOMING: The Cowboys hung with the Huskers for three quarters, but there was no way Wyoming was going to survive six turnovers -- all in the second half. Allen did show flashes, like when he rolled right and threw a perfect strike on a 35-yard pass to Gentry for touchdown on a fourth-and-12 late in the first half.NEBRASKA: The Huskers put up some big offensive numbers, but they struggled again with personal fouls and other penalties, which could come back to bite them against better opponents. The defense shut down Wyoming star running back Brian Hill -- good preparation for Oregons Royce Freeman next week.KEY NUMBERSWYOMING: Gentry had seven catches for 124 yards with one touchdown and now has five career 100-yard games, including two straight.NEBRASKA: Alonzo Moore had three catches for a career-high 109 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown. The Huskers five interceptions were the most since they picked off five passes against Idaho in 2010.UP NEXTWYOMING: The Cowboys return home to play UC Davis of the FCS Big Sky Conference for the first time. The teams have a one-game contract, with Wyoming paying a $400,000 guarantee.NEBRASKA: The Huskers game against Oregon is especially meaningful to Riley, the former Oregon State coach who was 4-10 against the Ducks with his usually-outmanned Beaver teams (1997-98, 2003-14).LAST WORDWe went into the fourth quarter down seven. It was within reach. It just didnt happen... Everyones hurting. Im hurting. I take this one completely on myself. I didnt put our team in a position to win, Allen said. ' ' '