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Video Box Score
By: Scott Crumbly
Twitter: @ScottCrumbly
SEC Digital Network
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi State got back on track on Saturday after a tough three-week stretch, downing Arkansas by a final score of 45-14. Bulldogs quarterback Tyler Russell tossed four touchdowns against the Razorbacks, two to senior receiver Chad Bumphis and two more to running back LaDarius Perkins.
Arkansas (4-7, 2-5 SEC) battled in the first half, using a 30-yard scoring strike from Tyler Wilson to Cobi Hamilton to get on the board in the first and another Wilson touchdown pass to Dennis Johnson in the second to hold within three points at the break. Russell and the Bulldogs (8-3, 4-3) would take charge after the break, however, rallying off three touchdowns in the first 15:10 of the second half to stretch their lead to 24 points.
The MSU defense improved as the game progressed, picking off Wilson twice after halftime to help the Bulldog offense pull away. Following MSU’s second interception early in the fourth quarter, Nick Griffin exploded for a 60-yard run to pay dirt for Mississippi State that effectively sealed the deal at Davis-Wade Stadium. The Bulldogs displayed great offensive balance, ending with 505 total yards, 302 of which came through the air and 203 from the ground game.
Wilson threw a pair of TDs for Arkansas, and Hamilton added to his stellar numbers for the season with seven more grabs for 88 yards and a score. Bumphis hauled in six passes for 82 yards and a couple of TDs, while LaDarius Perkins added 91 rushing yards to go along with his two receiving touchdowns.
Each team will now prepare for rivalry games to close out the regular season, as Mississippi State faces Ole Miss next week and Arkansas takes on LSU.
Statistical Leaders
Mississippi State
Passing – Tyler Russell, 19-for-32, 274 yards, 4 TD
Rushing – LaDarius Perkins, 17 car, 91 yards (2 rec TD)
Receiving – Chad Bumphis, 6 rec, 82 yards, 2 TD
Arkansas
Passing – Tyler Wilson, 23-for-29, 225 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing – Dennis Johnson, 15 car, 88 yards
Receiving – Cobi Hamilton, 7 rec, 88 yards, TD
Quick Notes
• Arkansas’ Cobi Hamilton was already Arkansas’ single-season record holder for receptions and yards coming into Saturday’s game, and his season totals now sit at 80 catches for 1,237 yards and five scores.
• Saturday’s win for the Bulldogs was number 27 for head coach Dan Mullen, putting him into a tie for fourth place all-time in coaching wins at MSU with W.D. Chadwick (1909-1913).
• Mississippi State is now 23-1 under Mullen when winning the turnover battle, forcing five from Arkansas and only committing one on the day.