Nick Fitzgerald’s return to the Mississippi State Bulldogs ultimately was successful as he rushed for 159 yards and threw for two touchdowns to lift the 18-ranked Bulldogs to a 31-10 victory against the Kansas State Wildcats.

Fitzgerald, who missed last week’s opener after being suspended for a violation of team rules, struggled with his passing, however. He completed just 11 of 27 throws for 154 yards with one interception. His final drive was marked by three passes that deflected off K-State defenders.

But Fitzgerald’s legs and the dual efforts of Kylin Hill were more than enough for the Bulldogs to move to 2-0 this season. Hill rushed for 211 yards and two touchdowns and caught a 16-yard touchdown pass.

After a slow first quarter expired with a 3-3 tie, Mississippi State got going on offense. Fitzgerald connected with Stephen Guidry for 19 yards on a 3rd and 17 to get the ball to the Wildcats 20 and Hill hauled in the 16-yard pass to make the score 10-3.

Mississippi State’s vaunted defense ensured that would be plenty. The Bulldogs allowed just 213 total yards.

The Bulldogs increased their lead to 17-3 on a three-play drive that ended with a 28-yard scoring run by Hill. Fitzgerald also had a 32-yard completion to Justin Johnson as the Bulldogs took the two-score lead into the half.

Mississippi State opened the second half with another touchdown drive that went 95 yards in just five plays. Austin Williams scored on a 13-yard pass frorm Fitzgerald to make it 24-3. Hill had a 52-yard run on the drive and Fitzgerald hit Guidry for a 23-yard pass and catch.

Kansas State (1-1) got a touchdown on the board late in the third quarter after an interception set up a 23-yard touchdown pass from Skylar Thompson to Dalton Schoen.

The No. 18 Bulldogs (2-0) quickly answered with Hill’s second rushing touchdown, a 16-yarder to make it 31-10.