OFFENSE: A

Mississippi State put forth a complete performance on offense in a 35-3 win over South Alabama in Ladd-Peebles Stadium, posting 514 yards of total offense, including 288 yards on the ground. Quarterback Dak Prescott shined once again, throwing for 211 yards and rushing for a team-high 139 in the victory. He threw for a touchdown, ran for a touchdown, and even caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from wideout Jameon Lewis, marking the second time in his career Prescott has scored three touchdowns three different ways. It was also the second straight week he threw for 200 yards and rushed for 100 yards in the same game.

Tailback Josh Robinson carried the ball 12 times for 77 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 6.4 yards per carry on the afternoon. Nine different Bulldogs other than Prescott caught a pass as Dan Mullen continues to build depth on the offense. Saturday’s game was a well-rounded, dominant showing by the Mississippi State defense, earning an A on this week’s report card.

DEFENSE: A

Mississippi State didn’t look its sharpest on defense last week in allowing 34 points to UAB in Starkville, but the Bulldogs redeemed themselves against South Alabama with an impressive showing. The Jaguars managed just 345 yards of total offense and just 57 yards on the ground for the game, failing to ever get in the end zone against Mississippi State. The Bulldogs forced four turnovers, two interceptions and two fumbles, and added 10 tackles for loss.

The MSU pass rush wreaked havoc on South Alabama quarterback Brandon Bridge, sacking him five times while hurrying him three other times. The Jaguars had a handful of pass plays go for longer than 20 yards, but only one went for longer than 30 yards, a major improvement from the three 75-yard touchdowns the Bulldogs allowed to UAB last week. Aside from the game against the Blazers, Mississippi State has allowed just three points in eight quarters of football, an impressive feat no matter the opponents.

SPECIAL TEAMS: A

It should come as no surprise Mississippi State earned A’s in all three facets of the game in a 32-point rout of a mid-major opponent. The Bulldogs never attempted a field goal, but Evan Sobiesk drilled all five of MSU’s extra points, a welcomed improvement from the two PATs Mississippi State botched last week. Sobiesk was the only kicker to play for the Bulldogs Saturday, which could indicate he has won the job outright until further notice.

Punter Devon Bell was called upon six times, racking up an average of 46.2 yards per punt with two landing inside the South Alabama 20. Neither team managed much out of their return games, which is not unusual ever since college football moved up its kickoffs and added an extra five yards to touchbacks. Mississippi State looked sound on special teams, and did not make any mistakes in that facet of the game for the first time this season. That alone is enough to earn an A this week.