Arkansas native Kyle Ferrie set for 'meaningful' matchup against Razorbacks
When Mississippi State takes the field on Saturday against the University of Arkansas, Kyle Ferrie will be feeling a little something extra.
A native of Searcy, Ark., Ferrie grew up in the state surrounded by Razorbacks. Ferrie’s father, Colin, was born in Scotland so allegiances to Arkansas weren’t as strong and the two enjoyed soccer over the American sport.
Ferrie’s stepfather, Mike McCafferty, introduced the Bulldogs into his life and the soccer player gave the other football a try in 2020. The rest would be history as his love for the sport, and the Bulldogs, grew.
A few years later, Ferrie is kicking in his second season at State and goes head-to-head with his home state Razorbacks inside Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday.
“Big, meaningful game for me. This one and the School up North (Ole Miss) are big games,” Ferrie said. “Getting to go play the hometown is fun. Really my entire town is Arkansas (fans). My stepdad is a very big Mississippi State fan and he shows it in Arkansas. I do get some messages and it’s been fun for me, but this is a very big game for me.”
Ferrie continuing strong start to his State career
Soccer might have been Ferrie’s first love, but his transition to the football field has been as smooth as it can be. After putting together one of the great kicking careers inside the state of Arkansas, Ferrie left Harding Academy the best kicker in school history and immediately made an impact in Starkville.
Last year, Ferrie took advantage of an early opportunity and was 16-of-22 as a freshman with a 49-yard make on the year. There were certainly some growing pains at times, but a two-time SEC Freshman of the Week honor showed how important he was.
The beat has rolled on in year two as Ferrie has started the year 6-for-7 on his field goals with a long of 47 yards. He gives credit to both continuity and a veteran presence around him as fifth-year senior Hayes Hammond handles his snaps and sixth-year senior transfer Zach Haynes holds.
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“Of course it’s growth. Your first year, being a young teenage kid in this league can be difficult so consistency has been key for me,” Ferrie said. “Having the same snapper helps. Hayes has been fantastic all five years he’s been here so getting him my first two years has been huge. Zach coming in as a sixth-year senior, so we’ve got an older operation and that helps out on Saturdays.
“It comes with consistency and reps. Having reps last year under my belt is huge. Having that trust with coach Lebby and knowing that when he sends me out there, he has full 100% trust in me to make my field goals.
“I tell Michael (Van Buren) that I have his back. Anytime I’m out there I know that I have to have my offense’s back and I’ve got one job and that’s to split it through the uprights. It makes it pretty simple.”
Ferrie is ready and on call whenever is needed and the sophomore never minds a big kick. However, knowing the offense is taking care of business is what he wants above all else.
Ferrie takes no offense to his coach feeling the same way about field goals. Everyone is on the same page that winning the game matters the most.
“I want to kick extra points. If I kick seven extra points, that’s better than two field goals because that means that we’re going to win the ball game. Extra points over field goals for sure, but if it comes down to it send me out there and let’s go get it.”
