Dak Prescott played well in the Bulldogs win over the Aggies. (Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports)
STARKVILLE, Miss — With all eyes around the country on the state of Mississippi, No. 12 Mississippi State was the first to make noise on Saturday.
The Bulldogs used a dominating offensive performance led by quarterback Dak Prescott and strong defense to upset No. 6 Texas A&M, 48-31, as across the state, Mississippi was hosting Alabama.
It was the Aggies (5-1, 2-1 in the SEC) who came out of the gate hot to begin the game in what seemed to be a sign of things to come.
Kenny Hill drove Texas A&M 69 yards on six plays and connected with Josh Reynolds for a 13-yard touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead only 1:41 into the game.
The Bulldogs (5-0, 2-0) came back with a punch of their own that would put them in the driver’s seat for the duration of the game.
Prescott sent Mississippi State down the field 75 yards on seven plays, and running back Josh Robinson ended the drive with a two-yard score to tie the game, 7-7.
The Bulldogs made a statement the rest of the way on both sides of the ball, as Prescott did it with his arm and his legs on the way to outscoring the Aggies, 48-21, after the opening score.
The Aggies scored two late touchdowns but the game was never in doubt for Mississippi State after the first half.
Prescott completed 19-of-25 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns, and ran 23 times for 77 yards and three more scores.
Josh Robinson had his third-consecutive 100-yard rushing performance with 17 carries for 107 yards and two scores.
Hill threw for 365 yards on 37-of-62 passing, with four touchdowns and three interceptions, all by Bulldog linebacker Richie Brown.
NOTES: Mississippi State extended a school record by gaining more than 500 yards for the sixth straight game. … The Bulldogs have beaten back-to-back top-10 opponents for the first time in school history. … Quarterback Dak Prescott is only the second quarterback in Bulldog history to surpass 50 total touchdowns.
