Referee Marc Curles; umpire Johnny Hibbett; head linesman John Langlois; line judge Kirk Lewis; side judge Richard Rooker; field judge Wes Booker; back judge Grantis Bell; center judge Wayne WinklerGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse
Scoring by quarter
Team
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Final
Northwestern State
0
6
7
0
13
Mississippi State
20
14
14
14
62
Standouts
PassingDak Prescott10 of 11, 227 yards, 2 TDMississippi State
RushingNick Fitzgerald5 carries, 28 yards, 2 TDMississippi State
No. 6ReceivingDonald Gray4 catches, 140 yards, 1 TDMississippi State
Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licenses; credits on each player’s page.
From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.
Team stats
Northwestern State
Mississippi State
257
Total yards
647
111
Passing yards
372
146
Rushing yards
275
6.9
Yards per pass
20.7
2.9
Yards per rush
7.4
17
First downs
26
1–13
Third downs
3–5
2–3
Fourth downs
1–1
0
Turnovers
2
1–11
Penalties
2–20
39:01
Possession
20:59
Efficiency
Northwestern State
Mississippi State
44%
Success rate
73%
−0.00
EPA per play
0.89
0.84
Explosiveness
1.48
−0.01
Rushing EPA
0.68
0.01
Passing EPA
1.29
23%
Passing-down success
100%
−0.18
First-down EPA
0.77
0.36
Second-down EPA
1.10
−0.11
Third-down EPA
0.74
From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.
Before kickoff
Our ratings and the line, going in
Our ratings (scores only)
Mississippi State 89% to win. Elo’s favorite won.
The line
Mississippi State −42.
The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.
Before kickoff, the win chances were Mississippi State >99%, Northwestern State <1%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.
Every drive
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Mississippi State drives left to right, Northwestern State right to left.
Q1 Mississippi StateTouchdown, 5 plays, 75 yards
Q1 Northwestern StateTurnover on downs, 11 plays, 58 yards
Q4 Northwestern StateEnd of game, 3 plays, 17 yards
Play by play
1st quarter6 drives, then Mississippi State 20, Northwestern State 0
Mississippi State Touchdown, 5 plays
15:00
1st & 10 at own 35
Chris Moore kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
15:00
1st & 10 at own 25
Ashton Shumpert run for 13 yds to the MisSt 38 for a 1ST down
15:00
1st & 10 at own 38
Ashton Shumpert run for 7 yds to the MisSt 45
15:00
2nd & 3 at own 45
Dak Prescott pass complete to Ashton Shumpert for 1 yd to the MisSt 46
15:00
3rd & 2 at own 46
Ashton Shumpert run for 5 yds to the NWSt 49 for a 1ST down
13:21
1st & 10 at opp 49
Dak Prescott pass complete to Gabe Myles for 49 yds for a TD, (Two-Point Conversion failed )Mississippi State 6, Northwestern State 0
Northwestern State Turnover on downs, 11 plays
13:21
1st & 0 at own 35
Devon Bell kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
13:21
1st & 10 at own 25
De’Mard Llorens run for 3 yds to the NWSt 28
13:21
2nd & 7 at own 28
J.D. Almond run for 19 yds to the NWSt 47 for a 1ST down
13:21
1st & 10 at own 47
Daniel Taylor run for a loss of 4 yards to the NWSt 43
13:21
2nd & 14 at own 43
Daniel Taylor run for 12 yds to the MisSt 45
13:21
3rd & 2 at opp 45
J.D. Almond run for 3 yds to the MisSt 42 for a 1ST down
13:21
1st & 10 at opp 42
Chris Jones run for 6 yds to the MisSt 36
13:21
2nd & 4 at opp 36
J.D. Almond pass complete to Shakeir Ryan for 24 yds to the MisSt 12 for a 1ST down
13:21
1st & 10 at opp 12
Daniel Taylor run for 2 yds to the MisSt 10
13:21
2nd & 8 at opp 10
Daniel Taylor run for a loss of 2 yards to the MisSt 12
13:21
3rd & 10 at opp 12
J.D. Almond pass incomplete to De’Mard Llorens
13:21
4th & 10 at opp 12
Tuff McClain run for a loss of 5 yards to the MisSt 17
Mississippi State Touchdown, 10 plays
7:28
1st & 10 at own 17
Dak Prescott run for 9 yds to the MisSt 26
7:28
2nd & 1 at own 26
Ashton Shumpert run for no gain to the MisSt 26
7:28
3rd & 1 at own 26
Ashton Shumpert run for 5 yds to the MisSt 31 for a 1ST down
7:28
1st & 10 at own 31
Brandon Holloway run for 4 yds to the MisSt 35
7:28
2nd & 6 at own 35
Ashton Shumpert run for 3 yds to the MisSt 38
7:28
3rd & 3 at own 38
Dak Prescott run for 2 yds to the MisSt 40
4:49
4th & 1 at own 40
Timeout NORTHWESTERN ST, clock 04:49
4:49
4th & 1 at own 40
Dak Prescott run for 3 yds to the MisSt 43 for a 1ST down
4:49
1st & 10 at own 43
Dak Prescott pass complete to Donald Gray for 21 yds to the NWSt 36 for a 1ST down
4:49
1st & 10 at opp 36
Dak Prescott pass complete to Malik Dear for 19 yds to the NWSt 17 for a 1ST down
3:42
1st & 10 at opp 17
Ashton Shumpert run for 17 yds for a TD, (Westin Graves KICK)Mississippi State 13, Northwestern State 0
Northwestern State Punt, 3 plays
3:42
1st & 0 at own 35
Devon Bell kickoff for 64 yds , Ed Eagan return for 20 yds to the NWSt 21
3:26
1st & 10 at own 21
De’Mard Llorens run for 1 yd to the NWSt 22
3:26
2nd & 9 at own 22
Almond, J.D. pass incomplete to Eagan, Ed, PENALTY NWST illegal block (Llorens, De’Mar) 11 yards to the NWST11, NO PLAY.
3:26
2nd & 20 at own 11
J.D. Almond run for 1 yd to the NWSt 12
3:26
3rd & 19 at own 12
Chris Jones run for a loss of 1 yard to the NWSt 11
3:26
4th & 20 at own 11
Andy Wickman punt for 37 yds , Fred Ross returns for 15 yds to the NWSt 33
Mississippi State Touchdown, 4 plays
1:09
1st & 10 at opp 33
Dak Prescott pass complete to Fred Ross for 12 yds to the NWSt 21 for a 1ST down
1:09
1st & 10 at opp 21
Aeris Williams run for 8 yds to the NWSt 13
1:09
2nd & 2 at opp 13
MISSISSIPPI ST Penalty, false start (-5 Yards) to the NWSt 18
1:09
2nd & 7 at opp 18
Dak Prescott pass complete to De’Runnya Wilson for 17 yds to the NWSt 1 for a 1ST down
0:11
1st & 0 at opp 1
Timeout NORTHWESTERN ST, clock 00:11
0:07
1st & goal at opp 1
Aeris Williams run for 1 yd for a TD, (Westin Graves KICK)Mississippi State 20, Northwestern State 0
Northwestern State Punt, 3 plays
0:07
1st & 0 at own 35
Devon Bell kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
0:07
1st & 10 at own 25
Daniel Taylor run for a loss of 3 yards to the NWSt 22
Q2 15:00
2nd & 13 at own 22
J.D. Almond pass complete to Daniel Taylor for 4 yds to the NWSt 26
Q2 15:00
3rd & 9 at own 26
J.D. Almond sacked by Beniquez Brown for a loss of 3 yards to the NWSt 23
Q2 15:00
4th & 12 at own 23
Andy Wickman punt for 47 yds , Fred Ross returns for a loss of 1 yard to the MisSt 29
2nd quarter7 drives, then Mississippi State 34, Northwestern State 6
Mississippi State Fumble, 2 plays
13:25
1st & 10 at own 29
Dak Prescott pass complete to Fred Brown for 48 yds to the NWSt 23 for a 1ST down
13:25
1st & 10 at opp 23
Dak Prescott sacked by Darius Poullard for a loss of 5 yards to the NWSt 28 Dak Prescott fumbled, recovered by NWSt Darius Poullard , return for 0 yards
Northwestern State Punt, 3 plays
12:57
1st & 10 at own 28
Stephen Rivers pass incomplete to Ed Eagan, broken up by Cedric Jiles
12:57
2nd & 10 at own 28
De’Mard Llorens run for 1 yd to the NWSt 29
12:57
3rd & 9 at own 29
Stephen Rivers pass incomplete to Tuff McClain, broken up by Cedric Jiles
12:57
4th & 9 at own 29
Andy Wickman punt for 51 yds , Fred Ross returns for 22 yds to the MisSt 39 Fred Ross fumbled, forced by LaAllen Clark, recovered by NWSt Cody Jones
Northwestern State Field goal, 4 plays
11:45
1st & 10 at opp 39
Stephen Rivers sacked by Chris Jones and A.J. Jefferson for a loss of 11 yards to the 50 yard line
11:45
2nd & 21 at the 50
Stephen Rivers pass complete to Daniel Taylor for 15 yds to the MisSt 35
11:45
3rd & 6 at opp 35
Stephen Rivers pass incomplete
10:14
4th & 6 at opp 35
Timeout NORTHWESTERN ST, clock 10:14
10:09
4th & 6 at opp 35
Chris Moore 52 yd FG GOODMississippi State 20, Northwestern State 3
Mississippi State Touchdown, 5 plays
10:09
1st & 0 at own 35
Chris Moore kickoff for 60 yds
10:09
1st & 10 at own 35
Gabe Myles run for 9 yds to the MisSt 44
10:09
2nd & 1 at own 44
Ashton Shumpert run for 3 yds to the MisSt 47 for a 1ST down
10:09
1st & 10 at own 47
Ashton Shumpert run for 2 yds to the MisSt 49
10:09
2nd & 8 at own 49
Dak Prescott pass complete to Donald Gray for 45 yds to the MISSSTATE 6 for a 1ST down NORTHWESTERN ST Penalty, Defensive pass interference ( Yards) declined for a 1ST down
8:39
1st & goal at opp 6
Gabe Myles run for 6 yds for a TD, (Westin Graves KICK)Mississippi State 27, Northwestern State 3
Northwestern State Field goal, 11 plays
8:39
1st & 0 at own 35
Devon Bell kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
8:39
1st & 10 at own 25
Stephen Rivers pass complete to Zach White for 18 yds to the NWSt 43 for a 1ST down
8:39
1st & 10 at own 43
Chris Jones run for 6 yds to the NWSt 49
8:39
2nd & 4 at own 49
Stephen Rivers pass complete to Ed Eagan for 6 yds to the MisSt 45 for a 1ST down
8:39
1st & 10 at opp 45
Stephen Rivers run for 7 yds to the MisSt 38
8:39
2nd & 3 at opp 38
De’Mard Llorens run for 12 yds to the MisSt 26 for a 1ST down
8:39
1st & 10 at opp 26
Daniel Taylor run for 3 yds to the MisSt 23
8:39
2nd & 7 at opp 23
Stephen Rivers pass complete to Tuff McClain for 7 yds to the MisSt 16 for a 1ST down
8:39
1st & 10 at opp 16
Chris Jones run for 7 yds to the MisSt 9
8:39
2nd & 3 at opp 9
Daniel Taylor run for no gain to the MisSt 9
8:39
3rd & 3 at opp 9
Stephen Rivers pass incomplete to Ed Eagan, broken up by Tolando Cleveland
2:27
4th & 3 at opp 9
Chris Moore 26 yd FG GOODMississippi State 27, Northwestern State 6
Mississippi State Touchdown, 5 plays
2:27
1st & 0 at own 35
Andy Wickman kickoff for 48 yds , Gabe Myles return for 38 yds to the MISSSTATE 27 MISSISSIPPI ST Penalty, personal foul (Gerri Green) to the MisSt 40
2:18
1st & 10 at own 40
Dak Prescott pass incomplete to Brandon Holloway
2:18
2nd & 10 at own 40
Dak Prescott pass complete to Gabe Myles for 9 yds to the MisSt 49
2:18
3rd & 1 at own 49
Dak Prescott run for 42 yds to the NWSt 9 for a 1ST down
2:18
1st & goal at opp 9
Dak Prescott run for 3 yds to the NWSt 6
0:56
2nd & goal at opp 6
Dak Prescott pass complete to Brandon Holloway for 6 yds for a TD, (Westin Graves KICK)Mississippi State 34, Northwestern State 6
Northwestern State End of half, 2 plays
0:56
1st & 0 at own 35
Devon Bell kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
0:56
1st & 10 at own 25
De’Mard Llorens run for 11 yds to the NWSt 36 for a 1ST down
0:56
1st & 10 at own 36
De’Mard Llorens run for 1 yd to the NWSt 37
3rd quarter5 drives, then Mississippi State 48, Northwestern State 13
Northwestern State Touchdown, 14 plays
15:00
2nd & 9 at own 35
Devon Bell kickoff for 65 yds , Ed Eagan return for 28 yds to the NWSt 28
14:47
1st & 10 at own 28
Joel Blumenthal pass complete to Ed Eagan for 10 yds to the NWSt 38 for a 1ST down
14:47
1st & 10 at own 38
Joel Blumenthal pass complete to Shakeir Ryan for 16 yds to the MisSt 46 for a 1ST down
14:47
1st & 10 at opp 46
Daniel Taylor run for 5 yds to the MisSt 41
14:47
2nd & 5 at opp 41
Joel Blumenthal run for 2 yds to the MisSt 39
14:47
3rd & 3 at opp 39
Joel Blumenthal run for 2 yds to the MisSt 37
14:47
4th & 1 at opp 37
Cody Jones run for 2 yds to the MisSt 35 for a 1ST down
14:47
1st & 10 at opp 35
Daniel Taylor run for a loss of 8 yards to the MisSt 43
14:47
2nd & 18 at opp 43
De’Mard Llorens run for 6 yds to the MisSt 37
14:47
4th & 1 at opp 26
De’Mard Llorens run for 1 yd to the MisSt 25 for a 1ST down
14:47
3rd & 12 at opp 37
Joel Blumenthal pass complete to Ed Eagan for 11 yds to the MisSt 26
14:47
1st & 10 at opp 25
Chris Jones run for 7 yds to the MisSt 18
14:47
2nd & 3 at opp 18
Daniel Taylor run for 7 yds to the MisSt 11 for a 1ST down
14:47
1st & 10 at opp 11
De’Mard Llorens run for 1 yd to the MisSt 10
6:59
2nd & 9 at opp 10
De’Mard Llorens run for 10 yds for a TD, (Chris Moore KICK)Mississippi State 34, Northwestern State 13
Mississippi State Touchdown, 7 plays
6:59
1st & 0 at own 35
Andy Wickman kickoff for 37 yds , Darrion Hutcherson return for 12 yds to the MisSt 40
6:54
1st & 10 at own 40
Nick Fitzgerald run for 1 yd to the MisSt 41
6:54
2nd & 9 at own 41
Aeris Williams run for 17 yds to the NWSt 42 for a 1ST down
6:54
1st & 10 at opp 42
Aeris Williams run for 2 yds to the NWSt 40
6:54
2nd & 8 at opp 40
Nick Fitzgerald pass complete to Donald Gray for 25 yds to the NWSt 15 for a 1ST down
6:54
1st & 10 at opp 15
Nick Fitzgerald run for 12 yds to the NWSt 3 for a 1ST down
6:54
1st & goal at opp 3
Aeris Williams run for a loss of 1 yard to the NWSt 4
4:02
2nd & goal at opp 4
Nick Fitzgerald run for 4 yds for a TD, (Westin Graves KICK)Mississippi State 41, Northwestern State 13
Northwestern State Punt, 4 plays
4:02
1st & 0 at own 35
Devon Bell kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
4:01
1st & 10 at own 25
Chris Jones run for 16 yds to the NWSt 41 for a 1ST down
4:01
1st & 10 at own 41
Matthew Flores run for no gain to the NWSt 41
4:01
2nd & 10 at own 41
Joel Blumenthal sacked by DeAndre Ward and Johnathan Calvin for a loss of 7 yards to the NWSt 34
4:01
3rd & 17 at own 34
Chris Jones run for 5 yds to the NWSt 39
4:01
4th & 12 at own 39
Andy Wickman punt for 40 yds, fair catch by Gabe Myles at the MisSt 21
Mississippi State Touchdown, 3 plays
1:20
1st & 10 at own 21
Dontavian Lee run for 24 yds to the MisSt 45 for a 1ST down
1:20
1st & 10 at own 45
Elijah Staley pass complete to Malik Dear for 18 yds to the NWSt 37 for a 1ST down
0:26
1st & 10 at opp 37
Elijah Staley pass complete to Joe Morrow for 37 yds for a TD, (Westin Graves KICK)Mississippi State 48, Northwestern State 13
Northwestern State Punt, 3 plays
0:26
1st & 0 at own 35
Devon Bell kickoff for 54 yds , Wilbur Myers return for 4 yds to the NWSt 15
0:07
1st & 10 at own 15
Matthew Flores run for 5 yds to the NWSt 20
Q4 15:00
2nd & 5 at own 20
Chris Jones run for a loss of 3 yards to the NWSt 17
Q4 15:00
3rd & 8 at own 17
Joel Blumenthal pass incomplete
Q4 15:00
4th & 8 at own 17
Andy Wickman punt for 46 yds, fair catch by Gabe Myles at the MisSt 37
4th quarter6 drives, then Mississippi State 62, Northwestern State 13
Mississippi State Touchdown, 4 plays
13:57
1st & 10 at own 37
Nick Fitzgerald pass complete to Darrion Hutcherson for 7 yds to the MisSt 44
13:57
2nd & 3 at own 44
Dontavian Lee run for 4 yds to the MisSt 48 for a 1ST down
13:57
1st & 10 at own 48
Dontavian Lee run for 3 yds to the NWSt 49
12:12
2nd & 7 at opp 49
Nick Fitzgerald pass complete to Donald Gray for 49 yds for a TD, (Devon Bell KICK)Mississippi State 55, Northwestern State 13
Northwestern State Punt, 3 plays
12:12
1st & 0 at own 35
Logan Cooke kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
12:12
1st & 10 at own 25
Joel Blumenthal pass incomplete
12:12
2nd & 10 at own 25
Matthew Flores run for a loss of 2 yards to the NWSt 23
12:12
3rd & 12 at own 23
Joel Blumenthal sacked by Jamal Peters for a loss of 5 yards to the NWSt 18
12:12
4th & 17 at own 18
Andy Wickman punt for 50 yds, fair catch by Gabe Myles at the MisSt 32
Mississippi State Punt, 3 plays
10:34
1st & 10 at own 32
Aeris Williams run for no gain to the MisSt 32
10:34
2nd & 10 at own 32
Elijah Staley run for 7 yds to the MisSt 39
10:34
3rd & 3 at own 39
Elijah Staley pass incomplete
10:34
4th & 3 at own 39
Logan Cooke punt for 44 yds, fair catch by Wilbur Myers at the NWSt 17
Northwestern State Punt, 4 plays
9:07
1st & 10 at own 17
Nigel Dora run for 11 yds to the NWSt 28 for a 1ST down
9:07
1st & 10 at own 28
Matthew Flores run for a loss of 2 yards to the NWSt 26
9:07
2nd & 12 at own 26
Nigel Dora run for 9 yds to the NWSt 35
9:07
3rd & 3 at own 35
Matthew Flores run for 1 yd to the NWSt 36
9:07
4th & 2 at own 36
Andy Wickman punt for 38 yds, downed at the MisSt 26
Mississippi State Touchdown, 7 plays
5:48
1st & 10 at own 26
Malik Dear run for 19 yds to the MisSt 45 for a 1ST down
5:48
1st & 10 at own 45
Nick Fitzgerald run for 8 yds to the NWSt 47
5:48
2nd & 2 at opp 47
Dontavian Lee run for 22 yds to the NWSt 25 for a 1ST down
5:48
1st & 10 at opp 25
Nick Fitzgerald pass complete to Malik Dear for 9 yds to the NWSt 16
5:48
2nd & 1 at opp 16
Dontavian Lee run for 4 yds to the NWSt 12 for a 1ST down
5:48
1st & 10 at opp 12
Aeris Williams run for 9 yds to the NWSt 3
1:48
2nd & 1 at opp 3
Nick Fitzgerald run for 3 yds for a TD, (Devon Bell KICK)Mississippi State 62, Northwestern State 13
Northwestern State End of game, 3 plays
1:48
1st & 0 at own 35
Logan Cooke kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
1:48
1st & 10 at own 25
Daniel Hazlewood run for 7 yds to the NWSt 32
1:48
2nd & 3 at own 32
Matthew Flores run for 8 yds to the NWSt 40 for a 1ST down
1:48
1st & 10 at own 40
Matthew Flores run for 2 yds to the NWSt 42
Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.