Mississippi State sent senior quarterback Dak Prescott out a winner Wednesday.
Playing the final game of his standout career, Prescott threw for 380 yards and four touchdowns as MSU knocked off North Carolina State, 51-28, in the Belk Bowl played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
During his time at MSU, Prescott guided the Bulldogs to No. 1 in the nation and established himself as a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate, given annually to the game’s best player.
On Wednesday, he closed his career by being chosen Belk Bowl Most Valuable Player.
Prescott became the fourth player in FBS history to throw for 9,000 yards and run for 2,500 yards.
“It feels great to go out with a win,” Prescott said. “After going through so much with these guys, it meant a lot to be able to put the uniform on one more time and enjoy success.”
This season, youth in certain spots and injuries derailed the Bulldogs climb back to the top of the national spotlight. On Wednesday, however, MSU looked near flawless as the Southeastern Conference moved to 3-0 in 2015 bowl games and won this particular contest for a second straight year.
“Offensively, we were really good,” MSU head coach Dan Mullen said. “Sometimes, it takes a while to establish a rhythm when you have been off. The interception was big early. We were able to get to work right away and build a lead.”
MSU (9-4) scored on its first two possessions to quickly build a 14-0 lead.
An interception by Gerri Green set the Bulldogs up on the Wolfpack 26-yard line to start the contest. The Bulldogs needed five plays before Prescott hit Fred Ross on a 14-yard touchdown.
MSU then drove 67 yards on a pair of plays, with Prescott hitting De’Runnya Wilson for 39 yards and then a 28-yard touchdown.
Ross followed with a 33-yard run to build a 21-0 lead.
North Carolina State (7-6) closed within 31-14 at halftime. The Wolfpack appeared ready to make a move when MSU fumbled a punt and NCSU recovered in the end zone. A interference penalty nullified that score.
Brandon Holloway then caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Prescott and the Bulldogs were ready to put the contest away.
Former West Point standout Aeris Williams scored on a 33-yard run in the closing minutes to cap the scoring for MSU.
After winning 10 games last season, the Bulldogs followed that up with nine victories this season. MSU has won four of six bowl games under Mullen. The six consecutive bowls mark an MSU record.
The MSU senior class finished with 34 victories.
“The senior class will always be special,” Mullen said, “They carried the program to new heights. They set a new level of expectations. The guys can leave here feeling good about the type of impact they had on the program. The hard work paid off. There is now an expectation.”
For the contest, the Bulldogs finished with 569 yards of total offense. Wilson had five receptions for 96 yards, while Holloway had four catches for 78 yards.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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