After last week's dismal showing, Kentucky rebounded well enough to put a scare in the top ranked team in the country.
The Bulldogs' Dak Prescott accounted for three touchdowns, Josh Robinson rushed for two TDs and 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 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.
