STARKVILLE — The onslaught began in earnest early in the third quarter.
A dominant first half turned into three touchdowns in a six-minute span that helped the No. 25 Mississippi State football team pull away en route to a 52-6 victory against Arkansas on Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium.
The outburst helped MSU (7-4, 3-4 Southeastern Conference) post its biggest victory against the Razorbacks in school history.
The stretch showed how MSU would dominate in the second half — by running run the football to move into scoring range and then throwing it from there.
MSU scored its first touchdown in the third quarter that way. Running back Aeris Williams started the drive with runs of 9 and 8 yards on his way to a 104-yard day. Quarterback Nick Fitzgerald followed with 5-yard run before hitting Justin Johnson for 17 and then connecting with him again for a 34-yard touchdown.
A botched snap on a punt by Arkansas and two penalties helped MSU on its next two touchdown drives, but it got back to the formula to start the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs used three-straight runs to set up Fitzgerald’s 19-yard touchdown pass to Austin Williams.
Fitzgerald was 9-for-14 for 127 yards and four touchdowns (no interceptions) in his final home game. He also had 14 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown.
Fitzgerald and backup quarterback Keytaon Thompson spread their 12 completions through eight receivers. Johnson had three for 59 yards and a touchdown, but no other receiver had more than two catches. Austin Williams had two touchdowns, while Osirus Mitchell and Keith Mixon had one.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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