Mizzou ahead of Kentucky: “It’s going to be a different game.”

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ)

Mizzou football hosted two air-raid offenses at Faurot Field, so far this season, however, Kentucky will bring a much different game to Columbia.

While the offense really hasn't been the focus of the Wildcat's squad this year, MU defensive coordinator Ryan Walters said he has been preparing his guys for a new challenge all week.

"It's going to be a different game and we've been preaching that, you know, since we found out we were playing Kentucky," he said. "To our guys' credit they've had really good practices and are excited for the challenge."

Walters said attacking the run in the backfield was one of his main focuses heading into LSU.

"We just kind of changed up techniques and called more pressures, and on run-downs," he said. "I think that was the difference in the two games [LSU and Alabama]."

Any Mizzou fan knows that the Tigers and a Wildcats have a history. But, it's a history that hasn't been in Mizzou's favor in years past.

Kentucky won the last five meetings between the schools. For context, no current player or staff member was around the last time MU won.

"Their history playing this team, our seniors that have been here, playing Kentucky, it's not a secret, it's the elephant in the room. Our guys are excited to go play and it feels like it's been a long time since we've played," Walters said.

One Tiger has a little more history than the rest: punter Grant Mckinnis.

The graduate transfer came to Columbia after handling kickoffs for the Wildcats for four years.

"I think he's handled it very professionally," special teams coordinator Erik Link said. "He's obviously got some close relationships with some former teammates and coaches and whatnot, but he's a Mizzou Tiger now and that's his focus. His focus is on doing his job to help us win."

You can watch the full interview with special teams coordinator Erik Link in the video player below.