Non-conference gimmes have been anything but easy for Mississippi State this season.

Already an upset loser to South Alabama and having survived a 47-35 win over UMass, on Saturday, MSU found itself fighting for its life against against one of the smaller schools on its schedule, having to survive a shootout before escaping with a 56-41 win at Davis Wade Stadium.

It took a big day from MSU quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, who accounted for seven touchdowns, to allow the homestanding Bulldogs to improve to 3-5.

What it means: It means Mississippi State’s three-game losing streak is over and the offense, in particular, has a performance to feel good about. Samford, 6-2 and ranked No. 20 in the FCS, is a better opponent than most realize, so there was danger lurking in this one for MSU.

What I liked: The continued emergence of Nick Fitzgerald as a quarterback MSU can build around. Fitzgerald threw for 417 and 5 touchdowns and added 2 more touchdowns on 1-yard runs, part of his 119-yard rushing day. Just a sophomore, he had his second 300-yard passing game and his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season.

What I didn’t like: MSU’s defense is still not one that plays at an SEC level. Samford quarterback Delvin Hodges lit up the State secondary for 468 passing yards and 4 touchdowns, and Samford piled up 627 yards altogether. With Texas A&M, Alabama, Arkansas and Ole Miss left on the schedule, that kind of defense won’t allow MSU to win another game.

Who’s the man: We’ve touched on Fitzgerald, how about wide receiver Donald Gray, who hooked up with Fitzgerald for touchdown receptions of 71, 74 and 51 yards en route to a 4-receptions, 207-yard receiving day? He entered the game with just 272 yards receiving for the entire season on 21 catches.

Key plays: In a game where the offenses went up and down the field, MSU got needed cushion on a defensive play when DeAndre Ward intercepted a Hodges pass and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown to give Mississippi State a 49-26 lead with 2:48 left in the third quarter, a lead that at the time looked safe.

Who’s next: Mississippi State returns to SEC play Saturday against Texas A&M at home, beginning a tough four-game stretch run of SEC West opponents for Dan Mullen’s team.