By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Mississippi State proves clutch down the stretch in a 17-16 win over Miami of Ohio.

1. Credit Mississippi State for finding a way to win when the Bulldogs were not at their best. Trailing until the late in the third quarter, Mississippi State made big plays on offense, defense and special teams late in a hard-fought 17-16 St. Petersburg Bowl victory. This win, combined with their success in the Egg Bowl, gives the Bulldogs considerable momentum moving forward. Nelson Adams’ blocked game-winning field goal attempt has to stand as one of the plays of the year this postseason.

2. Quarterback Nick Fitzgerald willed his team down the field with 132 more rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns and 136 passing yards. Fitzgerald finishes the year with 2,419 yards through the air, 1,375 yards on the ground and 37 total touchdowns. Per ESPN Stats & Info, Monday was his seventh game of at least 100 yards passing and rushing; only Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson has more. Fitzgerald was named the 2016 St. Petersburg Bowl MVP.

3. Special teams played a leading role in Mississippi State’s win. In addition to the late blocked field goal, the Bulldogs also blocked an early extra point. Kicker Wesley Graves converted a go-ahead 36-yard field goal, Brandon Holloway had a long return and Logan Cooke downed two punts inside the 20-yard line. A sometimes-overlooked aspect of football, special teams was critical for Mississippi State against the Redhawks.

4. With four catches, Fred Ross moved into the top ten in SEC history in career receptions. He finishes his time at MSU with a record 199 receptions.

5. Dating back to 1999, the Bulldogs have now gone an impressive 7-3 in bowl games. The first contest on the SEC bowl schedule this season, Mississippi State, albeit narrowly, starts the league off on the right foot.