One week after allowing 34 points to UAB, the Mississippi State defense smothered South Alabama in a resounding 35-3 win at Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs forced four Jaguar turnovers and limited USA to just 57 yards rushing on the day.

Here are a couple of thoughts on the game:

What it means: Have no fear, Mississippi State faithful, the Bulldogs’ defense is still as capable as any in the SEC. The Bulldogs were burned for three long touchdowns by UAB, but allowed just three total points to South Alabama in its home stadium Saturday. Mississippi State forced four Jaguar turnovers, two interceptions and two lost fumbles. The secondary still has room for improvement after allowing 288 yards through the air on 28 completions, but the Bulldogs limited USA to a mere 51 percent completion rate. The Jaguars could never establish a rushing attack, managing just 57 yards on 27 carries, an average of barely two yards per carry. If the MSU defense can duplicate Saturday’s performance consistently against SEC opponents, it has a great chance to live up to his darkhorse expectations in the conference.

What I liked: Mississippi State stifled the South Alabama run game Saturday, allowing the Jaguars to rush for only 57 yards for the game. In a conference loaded with star tailbacks and lacking experienced quarterbacks, the ability to stop the run will be critical as the season progresses. Teams like Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, LSU and others are all loaded at tailback, but Mississippi State is deep in its front seven as well. If the Bulldogs’ defense can control opposing rushing attacks up front, they’ll have an advantage in the SEC West the rest of the year.

Who’s the man: Two men deserve recognition here, one from each side of the ball. Quarterback Dak Prescott had a huge game for the Mississippi State offense, throwing for a touchdown, rushing for a touchdown and even receiving a touchdown pass from wideout Jameon Lewis on a trick play in the second quarter. It is the second time in his career he has accounted for a touchdown three different ways, and the second week in a row he threw for 200 yards and ran for 100 yards in the same game. Prescott was as impressive on offense as Preston Smith was on defense in the 32-point win. Smith added to his stellar senior season by registering a blocked field goal and a strip sack against South Alabama. He now has two interceptions, two blocked field goals, a forced fumble and a return touchdown through three weeks this season, and will once again be a candidate for the SEC’s Defensive Lineman of the Week honor.

Key Play: With fewer than five minutes remaining in the first half, Mississippi State was closing in on the red zone when Prescott found Jameon Lewis on what looked like a bubble screen to the outside. However, after taking a few steps with the ball, Lewis threw it back across the field to Prescott, who casually strolled 24 yards into the end zone to put Mississippi State in front 21-3. Prescott and Lewis formed an exciting trick play tandem in 2013, and Saturday’s touchdown against South Alabama was their first successful trick play of 2014. Opposing defenses now must respect both Prescott and Lewis whenever they take the field, whether they have the ball or not. That versatility should put defenses in conflict time and time again, which can only benefit the Bulldogs the rest of the season.

What’s next: After opening the season with three games against teams from outside the power conferences, Mississippi State now prepares for its SEC opener on September 20 against a ranked LSU team. The Tigers will be Mississippi State’s greatest test to date, and playing in Death Valley won’t make the Bulldogs’ task any easier. Mississippi State lost to LSU 59-26 in Starkville last year, but will have an opportunity to avenge that loss and open its SEC slate with a win Saturday over the unbeaten Tigers.