Dan Mullen returned to Davis-Wade Stadium at Scott Field, the site of almost a decade of great memories for Mullen and his family, with his new football program Saturday night.

The game ended in a way Mississippi State fans grew accustomed to during Mullen’s nine years in charge of the Bulldogs program: the team coached by Mullen won 13-6.

The Gators victory, coming in one of the most electric, hostile SEC environments in recent memory, sent a bold statement to the rest of the SEC. While Florida still has plenty of road to travel on their way back to the college football mountaintop, the slumbering SEC giant is finding its feet again under Dan Mullen, and a Gators resurgence is only a matter of time.

Miss State would strike first.

After a questionable personal foul call on a Tommy Townsend punt gave Miss State breathing room, the Bulldogs would drive 59 yards on twelve plays to strike before a Jace Christmann 34-yard field goal gave the Bulldogs an early lead. The drive featured a heavy dose of run-pass options, led by the hard-running of Aeris Williams and Kylin Hill.

For their part, Florida showed signs of life early offensively against Mississippi State’s stout defense which entered the game ranked eight nationally in total defense. Four false start penalties, all attributable to the clanging cowbells and wall of sound surrounding Scott Field, put Florida behind behind the chains too often in the early stages of the game. The Gators would answer Miss State’s field goal, however, with a lengthy drive that spanned the end of the first quarter and beginning of the second quarters, ending with Evan McPherson’s 39-yard kick.

Miss State quickly answered the (cow)bell.

Behind the deft running of Nick Fitzgerald, who tallied over thirty yards rushing on an impressive thirteen play, 67-yard drive, the Bulldogs would again take the ball the length of the field.

Todd Grantham’s Gators Defense stiffened in the red zone, however, and once again the Bulldogs were forced to settle for three points.

Further, for all the trouble Fitzgerald caused Florida with his legs through much of the first half, the Gators limited the All-SEC quarterback to 25 yards rushing thanks to three timely sacks, including one late in the half by Jabari Zuniga which stalled a late Bulldogs drive and ensured the game went into the half at 6-3.

Florida appeared to hit a huge play downfield to Trevon Grimes early in the second half, only to have it negated by a holding penalty. Two plays later, Bulldogs defensive back Cam Dantzler would intercept Feleipe Franks, giving Mississippi State their first favorable field position of the evening.

Again, the Gators defense would respond, however, forcing a quick three and out. On the ensuing Florida possession, the Gators would finally establish the running game, relying on Lamical Perine, whose hard-running through contact moved Florida inside Bulldogs territory. Then, with Mississippi State’s safeties cheating toward the line of scrimmage, Dan Mullen dialed up a trick play, with a wide receiver pass from Kadarius Toney finding TE Moral Stephens for the game’s first touchdown.

Florida fans clamoring for more Kadarius Toney got their wish in Starkville Saturday night. The diminutive flash from tiny Eight Mile, AL was everywhere, rushing for 20 yards, throwing a touchdown pass and adding nine yards receiving and 21 yards in the return game.

After an exchange of punts, Florida would add to its lead with just under eight minutes remaining.

After Mississippi State forced a stop on 3rd and one, Dan Mullen elected to go for it. It worked, with Jordan Scarlett punching just through the line for a first down. Mississippi State’s defense, valiant all night, would which gave the Gators a seven point lead, keeping Nick Fitzgerald and the Bulldogs within striking distance.

But the story of the night was the young Florida defense.

Florida defense would continue to give the Gators chances to pad their lead in the fourth quarter, forcing five consecutive stops and, for the first time all evening, sending some doubt into a home crowd that had been frothing and full-throat all night.