Bulldogs hang on for No. 1 lives against Arkansas

Dak Prescott threw for a career-high 331 yards and a touchdown to help No. 1 Mississippi State beat Arkansas, 17-10, on Saturday night.

Mississippi State (8-0, 5-0 Southeastern Conference) trailed until the third quarter and didn’t take the lead until Prescott’s 69-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Fred Ross made it 17-10 with 13:21 remaining.

Arkansas had two promising drives in the fourth quarter, but neither resulted in points. Will Redmond intercepted a pass in the end zone with 15 seconds left to end the Razorbacks’ final chance.

The Razorbacks (4-5, 0-5) have lost 17 consecutive conference games dating to 2012.

It wasn’t the prettiest game for Prescott — who threw two interceptions — but he made clutch throws during crucial moments in the second half. Josh Robinson caught six passes for a career-high 110 yards.

Arkansas’ Brandon Allen completed 22 of 43 passes for 238 yards and the interception in the final seconds. Alex Collins had 93 yards rushing.

Mississippi State has won 11 straight games, the second-longest streak in the country behind Florida State. Prescott is the first Mississippi State player to throw for 300 yards since 2007. He completed 18 of 27 passes.

Arkansas took a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter on Adam McFain’s 36-yard field goal and Alex Collins’ one-yard touchdown run. The Razorbacks looked little like a team that hadn’t won an SEC game in two years, methodically moving the ball down the field.

Mississippi State struggled to get started. The Bulldogs had three turnovers in the first half.