No. 1 Mississippi State holds off Kentucky 45-31

Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014. (AP Photo/David Stephenson) Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014. (AP Photo/David Stephenson)

By Associated Press October 25, 2014 4 min read

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) – Dak Prescott accounted for three touchdowns, Josh Robinson rushed for two TDs and top-ranked Mississippi State beat Kentucky 45-31 on Saturday.

Playing for the first time atop the rankings, the Bulldogs (7-0, 4-0 Southeastern Conference) showed no rust coming off a bye. That was a good thing in a wild game that resembled a shootout at times, which Mississippi State won with timely touchdowns that held off the stubborn Wildcats (5-3, 2-3).

Kentucky got within a touchdown four times, and Heisman Trophy hopeful Prescott and Robinson answered with TDs on three occasions. Prescott ran for TDs of 2 and 11 yards and hit Brandon Hill for an 8-yard TD.

Robinson’s 73-yard touchdown run early in the fourth for a 38-24 lead proved critical after Patrick Towles’ 4-yard TD dive with 2:31 remaining brought Kentucky within 38-31.

Christian Holmes’ 61-yard kickoff return TD nine seconds later provided the Bulldogs’ final answer.