Mississippi State scored touchdowns on seven consecutive possessions to rout the University of Arkansas 52-6 on Saturday in Starkville, Miss.
The Bulldogs (7-4, 3-4 SEC) started their string of touchdowns with 10:28 to go in the second quarter for a 10-0 lead, then ended the stretch with backup QB Keytaon Thompson's 33-yard TD pass to Austin Williams to go up 52-6 with 5:20 left in the game.
QB Nick Fitzgerald finished 9-of-14 passing for 127 yards and 4 TDs for Mississippi State. He also ran 14 times for 85 yards and 1 TD in his final home start. The Bulldogs outgained the Hogs 475-219 for the game.
Down 17-3 at the half, the Razorbacks (2-9, 0-7) thought they had a touchdown on the opening drive of the second half, but Ty Storey's 6-yard TD pass to Deon Stewart on third and 4 was negated by an offensive pass interference penalty on La'Michael Pettway. The Hogs settled for a 32-yard Connor Limpert field goal to cut their deficit to 17-6.
The Bulldogs went to the air to regain control, as Fitzgerald connected with Justin Johnson for 17 yards to set up a 34-yard scoring strike between the two for a 24-6 edge.
A botched Arkansas punt allowed Mississippi State to score just over a minute later. Punter Reid Butler fumbled the snap, and the Bulldogs tackled him for a 16-yard loss to gain possession at the Hogs 4. On the next play, Fitzgerald hit Keith Mixon for a 4-yard TD and 31-6 lead with 7:41 left in the third quarter.
After Storey threw an interception, Fitzgerald hooked up with Osirus Mitchell for 15 yards to complete a 58-yard drive. The extra point made the score 38-6 with 3:02 left in the third quarter.
Connor Noland relieved Storey on Arkansas' next possession, and RB Rakeem Boyd sprung free for a 31-yard gain. Arkansas still had to punt when Noland was sacked at midfield on third down.
Fitzgerald's 19-yard TD pass to Williams capped a six-play, 50-yard drive to put the Bulldogs up 45-6.
Mississippi State controlled the first half from the opening possession, a 14-play, 81-yard grind that resulted in Jace Christmann's 19-yard field goal with 8:27 left in the quarter. The Bulldogs converted three third-down plays on the drive.
The Hogs drove 50 yards on their opening possession, but Limpert missed a 43-yard field goal.
The Bulldogs scored their first touchdown on their third drive, going 53 yards — all on the ground — in 11 plays. Fitzgerald scored from 2 yards out to put MSU up 10-0 with 10:28 left in the first half.
After Arkansas went three and out, the Bulldogs drove 72 yards on eight plays. Nick Gibson scored from 8 yards out for a 17-0 advantage.
Arkansas got on the board on its last drive of the first half. Storey completed five consecutive passes, which led to Limpert's 36-yard field goal with 44 seconds left in the half.
The Bulldogs held a 204-104 yardage advantage in the first half, 166 of which came on the ground.
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