Dak's imprint: Bulldogs’ QB leaves mark on SEC coaches

FAYETTEVILLE -- It had been 17 seasons since Alabama's defense got after a quarterback the way the Crimson Tide did in their 31-6 victory at Mississippi State last week.

Alabama sacked Bulldogs senior Dak Prescott nine times, matching its total from 1998 when the Tide beat Vanderbilt 32-7.

Prescott took several other hits after throwing passes and had 15 rushing attempts in addition to the sacks, but he completed 22 of 43 passes for 300 yards.

"I don't think it affected him," Saban said of the sacks and hits Prescott absorbed. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for that guy as a competitor and as a player."

Alabama held Mississippi State to two field goals, ending Prescott's streak of producing at least one touchdown -- passing, running or receiving -- at 32 games.

Prescott and the Bulldogs (7-3, 3-3 SEC) will look to bounce back when they play Arkansas (6-4, 4-2) at 6 p.m. Saturday in Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Mississippi State Coach Dan Mullen said Prescott is feeling fine physically this week and handled himself well against Alabama.

"One thing you saw is he never was flustered during the course of the game," Mullen said. "I think that's the experience he has as an older, veteran player.

"When things are good, he's really calm. When things are not going as good, he's really calm. He understands the game and understands what he has to do, whether we're up or down."

Prescott told reporters this week that Mississippi State's offensive line will "get after it" at Arkansas after what happened in the Alabama game.

"I'm sure they're not proud of that effort. I know I'm not," Prescott said. "So I'm sure they'll come out with that chip on their shoulder ready to get their respect back."

Prescott has helped Mississippi State gain national respect, leading the Bulldogs to a 21-9 record as a starter, including 10-3 last season when they played in the Orange Bowl for the first time in 70 years. He has set 36 school records and produced 100 touchdowns in his career -- 59 passing, 38 rushing and 3 receiving.

"He makes them go," said Auburn Coach Gus Malzahn, who saw Prescott complete 29 of 41 passes for 270 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Bulldogs' 17-9 victory over the Tigers this season. "He probably has as much impact on his team as anyone in our league.

"He's like a running back that can throw the ball, and he's got total command of the offense. He's a big-time player."

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said Prescott, 6-2 and 230 pounds, looks like a linebacker compared to Razorbacks senior Brandon Allen, 6-2 and 210.

"That's not a very common thing for quarterbacks," Bielema said of Prescott's size and strength. "That's why I think their staff has so much confidence in using him as much as they do in the run game.

"Nine sacks on Saturday, a normal quarterback might come out of there a little bit dinged or a little bit slow, but I don't think that's going to be the case with him at all.

"Just an incredible player, puts a lot on his shoulders, a tough, tough kid. Just so resilient in the run game and the throw game when he gets tackled.

"You can see their kids live off of his energy and mental and physical stamina."

Prescott is among three SEC players with at least 50 touchdowns passing and 30 rushing, joining Florida's Tim Tebow and Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel, who each won the Heisman Trophy.

"I think Dak's an absolutely phenomenal player," Kentucky Coach Mark Stoops said. "I'm amazed he's not talked about more in the Heisman Trophy race, to be honest with you."

Prescott had three passing touchdowns and three rushing in Mississippi State's 42-16 victory over Kentucky.

"I told him after our game thank goodness he's done, because I'm tired of playing against him," Stoops said.

Prescott rushed for 117 yards against the Wildcats, but passed for 348.

"I think he's more comfortable in the pocket," Stoops said. "You can see it the way they're calling plays this year and what they're doing. They're throwing it much more efficiently, and you can see the confidence that he has."

Prescott has completed 222 of 343 passes for 18 touchdowns with 2 interceptions this season along with rushing 112 times for 432 yards and 7 touchdowns. The 64.7 completion rate is the highest of his career.

In Texas A&M's 30-17 victory over Mississippi State, Prescott passed for 201 yards and rushed for 96.

"The biggest compliment you can ever give a guy is that you would want him to be part of your organization, and he's that guy," Aggies Coach Kevin Sumlin said. "He's a class act.

"His decision to come back for his senior season I think was a great one, just watching him grow as a passer."

Arkansas defensive line coach Rory Segrest said the Bulldogs still like to use Prescott extensively in the run game on draws, zone reads and power plays.

"He's 70 percent of their offense when you look at their total numbers, so obviously they try to get a lot of mileage of him," Segrest said. "We have to make sure we limit that."

Prescott's career totals include 8,234 yards passing and 2,365 rushing.

"I think Dak's done a fabulous job of continuing to develop this season, and really do what I like to call unspectacular things," Mullen said. "He might not make as many highlight level plays as in the past, but he's going to be a more efficient player with his decision-making.

"That's led to the productivity he's had and certainly we've had as a football team."

Sports on 11/20/2015