Following a sluggish opening half, Mississippi State stormed back with 34 second half points to fend off Massachusetts 47-35 and even its record to 2-2.
Trailing 14-13 at the break, the Bulldogs scored three touchdowns in the third quarter – two on Nick Fitzgerald throws and the other on a 38-yard pick six by Jamoral Graham.
UMass (1-3) pulled back within six with five minutes to go but the Bulldogs were able to put things away on a 12-yard touchdown run by Fulton native Ashton Shumpert.
MSU totaled 598 yards of offense led by Fitzgerald, who threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns and also added 110 yards on the ground.