The Mississippi State Bulldogs posted their first shutout since 1999 on Saturday against Southern Miss, thanks in large part to the efforts of defensive end Preston Smith. The 6-foot-6, 270-pound senior registered an interception and a blocked field goal in the victory over the Golden Eagles, and as a result was rewarded with the SEC’s Defensive Lineman of the Week honor.

It is the first time Smith has earned the distinction, and he is the first Bulldog to earn the recognition since Fletcher Cox in 2011. The SEC made the announcement Monday night on SEC Now on the SEC Network.

Smith officially registered two tackles, the interception, a quarterback hurry, one pass breakup and the blocked field goal. He batted a pass at the line of scrimmage in the first half, then caught the ball for his first career interception. Later in the game, he blocked a USM field goal that teammate Jay Hughes returned 68 yards for a touchdown.

The senior helped anchor a defense which had 29 different players record a tackle against Southern Miss. MSU held the Golden Eagles to fewer than 300 yards of total offense and was one of just seven teams across the nation to post a shutout on opening weekend.

Smith and the Bulldogs return to action Saturday when they host UAB at Davis Wade Stadium.