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The defensive players and coaches spoke with the media following today’s practice and, as always, they had plenty to say. Here are the top quotes of the day:

“I ain’t gonna lie to you: it’s cool.” – Josh Allen

When asked about being named an AP and Sports Illustrated Second-Team Midseason All-American, Allen was honest. But just because he’s happy with the recognition doesn’t mean he’s content with stopping here.

“But it’s only mid-season. I want to wait for the end of the season so it can be official,” Allen said. “Second team sounds good, but I’m trying to aim for the first team.”

The former two-star recruit is tied for third in the nation with 6.5 total sacks. He’s fourth on the team in tackles with 35.

While the Bulldogs have only given up three sacks so far this season, Allen is determined to change that.

“I just heard – somebody told me today – they’ve only given up three sacks,” Allen said. “So, hope I can get four, five.”

“He’s a really physical runner – he’s not your typical quarterback runner.” – Matt House

Defensive coordinator Matt House isn’t one for chatter, but he had plenty to say about Mississippi State’s quarterback, Nick Fitzgerald. The 6-foot-5 junior is considered a dual-threat quarterback. In addition to being the team’s leading passer, he’s the Bulldogs’ second-leading rusher. Fitzgerald has surpassed 100 rushing yards twice already this season: he ran for 111 yards against Louisiana Tech and had 100 yards against BYU.

“He really is like having another downhill back in the backfield. So tackling becomes important,” Coach House said. “They do a good job with cut blocks on the perimeter, so we’re going to have to do a great job of playing the cut and just playing good fundamental football, but also creating the extra number.”

“I don’t know nothing about the cowbells.” – Eli Brown

The sophomore has yet to travel to Davis Wade Stadium, but he isn’t scared of the atmosphere.

“I love playing away,” Brown said. “I ain’t gonna lie; I ain’t gonna sugar coat it. I love playing away. They’re yelling for their team, but you feel like they’re yelling for you.”

But what about those annoying cowbells? I was standing outside of practice today while the cowbell noises were playing, and, to state the obvious, they were annoying.

Sitting outside of football practice and listening to cowbells… straight out of a nightmare. To those traveling to Starkville, good luck.

— Maggie Davis (@MaggieDavisKSR) October 18, 2017

But the veterans have been warning the younger players about the intensity of the cowbells, saying the fake noises are “nothing” compared to the real thing, according to Brown.

“I’ve been hearing them in practice, but it’s not going to be like in a game, man,” Brown said. “You just have to be ready, be ready to play, and I think that we’re all just ready.”

“The great thing is it’s just halfway.” – Matt House

When Coach House was asked about Josh Allen’s mid-season honors, he reiterated that they are, in fact, just midseason honors. But being just halfway through this season applies to a lot more than Allen’s sack record.

While a 5-1 start feels great, there are still a lot of unknowns about this team. Yes, Kentucky could be undefeated and bowl eligible had it not been for a few costly mistakes against Florida, but the record could also be significantly worse – especially if those final plays by Eastern Michigan and Missouri had been more successful.

Mississippi State is a huge test for the Cats. Saturday’s game against the Bulldogs marks the transition into the tougher part of the season, and having a road game against arguably the strongest remaining quarterback on the schedule doesn’t help.

But this is also where the season gets exciting. So buckle up, because we’re just halfway done.

@MaggieDavisKSR