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Hill scores 4 TDs, BYU beats Mississippi State 28-21

PROVO, Utah (AP) - The criticisms of Taysom Hill ran deep in 2016 as the dual-threat quarterback just hasn't quite looked like the same dynamic player that was a Heisman candidate 2013. Season-ending injuries in 2014 and 2015 seemed to take their toll.

Mississippi State may think differently after Hill threw for three touchdowns, including the game-winner in double-overtime to give BYU a 28-21 win over the Bulldogs on Friday night.

"That's the mentality of our team, we'll do whatever it takes," said Hill, with a large bruise on his biceps and a bloodied hand. "I think we showcased that tonight. There were definitely times where it would have been easy for us to get down offensively and we didn't. We were resilient and we kept fighting and we got the win in overtime."

Fans stormed the field as MSU quarterback Nick Fitzgerald threw an incomplete pass in the end zone on fourth down to end the game. It was the first time Hill has thrown for three touchdowns since the 2014 season opener.

The BYU (4-3) offense couldn't get much going most of the night, but Hill hit Moroni Laulu-Pututau for a 15-yard touchdown on third-and-goal with 13:15 left in the game to tie things at 14-14.

Fitzgerald struck first in overtime with a 2-yard touchdown run, but Hill answered with a quarterback sneak of his own to send it into double overtime. He then threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Tanner Balderree on the first snap of double overtime.

Hill finished with 165 passing yards, 53 rushing yards and four total touchdowns. Running back Jamaal Williams ran for 76 yards and set the school career rushing record at 3,468.

"These guys will play till the clock says zero and it said zero," BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. "So, they played extra downs. Just really pleased with the resiliency of our players."

Mississippi State (2-4) led 14-7 at halftime thanks to a defense that held BYU to 126 first half yards, including just 45 through the air.

The Bulldogs scored first with a 44-yard touchdown pass from Fitzgerald to Keith Mixon on a run-pass option to the left. Fitzgerald punched it in on a 1-yard rush later for the 14-7 lead.

Fitzgerald threw for 214 yards and one touchdown and two interceptions. He also ran for 41 yards and two touchdowns.

"I think we played more than a complete game tonight," Fitzgerald said. "That's something I don't think we've done until now, so that was something good to see. We just couldn't chug it out at the end."

THE TAKEAWAY

Mississippi State: The disastrous season continues for the Bulldogs. Mississippi State is now two games under .500, including losses to South Alabama, Auburn and BYU. The defense held up until overtime, but Fitzgerald threw two bad interceptions. The second came in the fourth quarter in field goal range.

BYU: The Cougars are riding high after three consecutive victories, including one over a Big Ten program and now one against the SEC, the first time they've ever beaten a SEC team at home. Hill looked like an improved passer and the defense kept the opponent to 21 or fewer points for the fifth time this season.

RECORD HOLDER

Several rows of students held up a giant sheet-like banner with a picture of Williams after he broke the record while the rest of the student section broke out placards with his No. 21 on it.

"Happy-happy, not happy-sad," Williams said about getting the record and the win. "I'm grateful to get it. Give credit to everybody blocking for me my whole career. I wish I could put Jamaal Williams and everybody else, put them before my name.

"I feel like I'm on Taysom (Hill) level now. ... It hit a warm spot in my heart to see the numbers up and the banner."

QUOTABLE

"We didn't win," Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said. "There's no positives."

UP NEXT

Mississippi State: The Bulldogs travel to face Kentucky in SEC action October 22.

BYU: The Cougars travel to face No. 15 Boise State on October 20.

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