Mississippi State allowed the Missouri Tigers to end their touchdown-less streak on Thursday. More importantly, the Bulldogs extended their winning streak to four with a dominating 31-13 victory.

The win keeps the Bulldogs (7-2, 3-2 SEC) title hopes alive in the crowded SEC West. Mississippi State will now become big Alabama fans … just for Saturday’s game against LSU.

TAKEAWAYS

  • Dak Prescott is quietly putting together a Heisman resume in 2015. He threw for 303 passing yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions against a Tigers defense that came into the game ranked No. 1 in the SEC against the pass. Prescott’s fourth TD was his 100th total TD of his career. He is just the sixth quarterback in SEC history to accomplish that feat.
  • Mississippi State is still searching for a consistent running game. Prescott led the team with 47 rushing yards vs. the Tigers. Maybe freshman running back Aeris Williams is the answer. He had 46 yards on the ground with just six carries. Prescott is playing so well he doesn’t need much of a running attack.
  • The Bulldogs’ defense could have been better. Missouri found the end zone after 14 quarters without a TD, and the Tigers nearly scored another TD late in the fourth quarter. Missouri also came into the game 3-for-41 on third down in the prior three games. Although 5-for-16 on third down is nothing to brag about, Mississippi State can’t be happy it allowed more third down conversions than Missouri had in its previous three games combined.

REPORT CARD

Offense: (A-) – Prescott was sensational against a defense that had yet to allow more than 21 points in any game this season. The Bulldogs turned it over twice and allowed three sacks, which prevented them from receiving the A.
Defense: (B+) – Mississippi State may have yielded a TD, but the defense did have two interceptions and five sacks.
Special Teams: (B) – Returner Brandon Holloway had a nice 69-yard kick return. That was the play of the night on special teams. Wes Graves missed a 49-yard field-goal attempt. Coaching: (B+) – Does anyone else find it refreshing that Dan Mullen isn’t afraid to smile after a big victory?

GAME BALLS

  • Dak Prescott: 27-of-40, 303 passing yards, 4 TDs, 14 carries, 47 rushing yards
  • Fred Ross: 11 receptions, 115 receiving yards, TD
  • De’Runnya Wilson: 4 receptions, 102 receiving yards, 2 TDs
  • Richie Brown: 5 tackles, 2 sacks

INJURY REPORT

Offensive lineman Rufus Warren limped off the field in the second half. Mullen said he was dinged up in practice and hopes he can return next week.