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Louisville Football: 3 Takeaways from Taxslayer Bowl loss to Mississippi State

By Shelbie Warr

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 30: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals takes the field prior to the TaxSlayer Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 30: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals takes the field prior to the TaxSlayer Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
(Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /

2. Junior Mark McLaurin is the MVP for Mississippi State

While a lot can be said about the quarterback play of a young Keytaon Thompson, we should be talking about Mark McLaurin. The junior finished with ten tackles and three interceptions of Lamar Jackson. Three.

Jackson was riding quite the streak of passes without an interception and McLaurin was out to change all of that. That doesn’t happen by accident. This kid deserves some serious kudos.

While McLaurin was the MVP, it is important to note that the entire defense for the Bulldogs played quite the game, especially in the second half. They sacked Jackson six times in the second half, keeping him on his toes and unable to make the plays he needed to win a game.

If anything gives Mississippi State fans hope for the future, this should be it. This group is strong, physical and talented. This unit is the reason that the Bulldogs almost took down the mighty Alabama. As great as Nick Fitzgerald is, it is the defense that deserves the most kudos this season for the Bulldogs. They are ready to fight in the coming years.

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