STARKVILLE, Mississippi (AP) — Mississippi State’s top three quarterbacks combined for 653 yards passing in their spring game on Saturday.
Starter Dak Prescott was efficient in his limited playing time with the Maroon team, completing 7 of 9 passes for 131 yards and one touchdown while adding a rushing touchdown.
Backup Damian Williams was 21 of 32 for 347 yards and four touchdowns, and freshman Nick Fitzgerald finished 17 of 26 for 175 yards and one touchdown.
Fred Brown had a 10 catches for 219 yards and two touchdowns.
Evan Sobiesk kicked a 28-yard field goal as time expired to lead the Maroon team to a 41-38 win over the White team.
“I was happy and we saw some good football,” Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen. “We had a great crowd here today and we got to see what I wanted, which was a lot of young players put in situations that maybe they haven’t been in before in the stadium.”
Brown figures to be part of a deep rotation of receivers next fall that includes De’Runnya Wilson, Jameon Lewis and Robert Johnson.
Brown caught just five passes all last season, but showed why he might get more looks next fall.
“I just came out here this spring and played my hardest each and every day,” said Brown. “And I showed the coaches what I had this spring. We have a deep group (of receivers) this year and we all come ready to work and the mindset to get better every day.”
Mullen said he was pleased with Prescott’s performance. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound junior is entering his second season as the starter after throwing for 1,940 yards and rushing for 829 more last fall.
“Everything was kept really simple,” Mullen said. “But to me, what’s good is seeing (Prescott) as we are keeping things simple, he came out and still executed really clean. I think he was pretty consistent on the drives he was in there. He wasn’t forcing things and that is what you want to see.”
Joe Morrow of Ocean Springs and Brandon Hill each had a touchdown catch for the Maroon squad while Shelby Christy had a touchdown catch for White squad.
In a special appearance, former Bulldogs running back Anthony Dixon — who recently signed with the Buffalo Bills after four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers — had a 60-yard touchdown reception.
“I think we did a good job of excelling in the passing game this spring,” Prescott said. “We really turned it up and completed some balls all spring long. We came out here in the spring game and showed that. We have some good talent and some good momentum going into the season.”