LaQuinston Sharp leaves Kentucky game in second quarter with injury

The Mississippi State Bulldogs have been struggling to move the football at all on Saturday night against the Kentucky Wildcats in the first half. Things just got worse, as one of the Bulldogs’ best offensive linemen just went down with an injury. Their starting center, LaQuinston Sharp, went down after a Kentucky player rolled into the back of his right knee during a play. He’s a starting offensive lineman and if he has to miss time, it’s a big loss for Will Rogers and the Bulldogs’ passing attack.

Sharp was tended to on the field by Mississippi State training staff and left the game in the second quarter. According to Stefan Krajisnik of the Clarion-Ledger, Sharp went into the medical tent, but then jumped on the stationary bike after leaving the tent. He did not re-enter the game since leaving with the injury.

The injury forced the Bulldogs to shuffle around a number of players on their offensive line. Soon after Sharp left the game, the Kentucky defense was immediately able to bring pressure in the backfield on Rogers. Mississippi State finally got on the scoreboard with less than nine minutes remaining in the second quarter, when they drilled a field goal to make it 3-0. The scoring in the game picked up in the second half. Kentucky quarterback Will Levis threw a pick six to Mississippi State defensive back Emmanuel Forbes in the fourth quarter.

In six games this season, Sharp has already been named SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week twice (Arizona) and (Memphis). In 2021, the gifted offensive lineman earned honorable mention All-SEC honors. He’s been a steady starter on the Bulldogs offensive line since the 2019 season. Before joining Mississippi State, Sharp suited up for East Mississippi Community College, where he was ranked as one of the nation’s top offensive line prospects, according to several recruiting services.