Dak Prescott leaves Mississippi State with signature performance

If anyone expected something other than a spectacular performance from the greatest player in Mississippi State history in his final college football game, then they just don’t know Dak Prescott.

The senior left in style, accounting for 427 yards and four touchdowns as Mississippi State crushed N.C. State 51-28 in the Belk Bowl.

TAKEAWAYS

• The Mississippi State offense lit up the scoreboard, but the defense set the tone, intercepting Florida transfer Jacoby Brissett twice in the first quarter, including on the first play from scrimmage. Coming into the game, Brissett had thrown only four interceptions this season. Prescott turned both turnovers into touchdowns. The Bulldogs led early and never trailed.
• Prescott averaged more than 11 yards per attempt in the first half and finished with 380 passing yards, four touchdowns and just one interception.
• Bulldogs junior receivers Fred Ross and De’Runnya Wilson had big days. Ross needed 67 yards to become the second Mississippi State receiver with a 1,000-yard receiving season. After the game turned into a blowout, coach Dan Mullen and Prescott made sure he got it. Ross finished with seven catches, 74 yards and two touchdowns while Wilson had five receptions, 96 yards and a score.

REPORT CARD

Offense: (A) — The one interception and two drives that only accumulated 20 yards on nine plays to start the third quarter were the only blemishes for the Bulldogs offense. Mississippi State passed for 380 yards and rushed for 189. Junior RB Brandon Holloway gained 119 yards from scrimmage and found the end zone twice.

Defense: (B+) — Interceptions from LB Gerri Green and DB Brandon Bryant put N.C. State in an early hole and set the tone. The defense also recorded five sacks. The only real blemishes for the defense were three big plays — two for TDs — that went for 40 or more yards.

Special Teams: (B) — Ross nearly muffed a punt early in the third quarter that could have changed the tide of the game, but the officials threw a flag for fair catch interference. The only other mistake (or near mistake) on special teams was a missed extra point.

Coaching: (A) — Mullen had his team ready to play from the first snap. Mississippi State clearly put behind the Egg Bowl loss behind them and took charge in front of a pro-N.C. State crowd in Charlotte. Mullen continued to coach until the final whistle.

GAME PLAN

Mississippi State took advantage of N.C. State’s porous offensive line, pressuring Brissett all game. Brissett completed under 50 percent of his passes, threw two interceptions and went down on five sacks. With strong protection, Prescott led a balanced Bulldogs attack.

GAME BALLS

• QB Dak Prescott: 24-for-42, 380 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT passing; 12 carries, 47 yards rushing
• WR Fred Ross: 7 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD; 1 carry, 33 rushing yards, 1 TD
• WR De’Runnya Wilson: 5 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD
• RB Brandon Holloway: 13 carries, 41 yards; 4 catches, 78 yards, 2 TDs
• LB Beniquez Brown: 9 total tackles, 2 sacks, 2 QB hurries

INJURIES

No injuries were reported for Mississippi State on Wednesday afternoon.

Dave Holcomb

Dave covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.