OXFORD – Consistency has been a big part of David Heard’s game at Mississippi State. And for the past four seasons, the former Vicksburg High Gator has been one of the most consistent Bulldogs.

Saturday at Ole Miss, Heard played in his 46th and last game in Starkville. He was one of only three State players to accomplish that feat for the past four years. For the last 29 games, Heard has been the starter at right cornerback for Sylvester Croom’s team.

It’s that consistency of being ready to play each week that has Heard pondering that Saturday’s 20-17 loss to Ole Miss was not his last football game.

&#8220I definitely want to play in the pros,” said Heard, standing near his mom, who was adorned in his white, Mississippi State No. 23 jersey. &#8220Coach Croom has some NFL connections. They like how I have been a solid player over a good amount of time.

&#8220I’m in line to get my degree next December, so that’ll allow me to start training in the spring,” Heard said.

Heard would have preferred to wind up his State career with another Egg Bowl win but a late Bulldog rally fell short when a 51-yard field goal went wide left at the horn.

&#8220This is going to hurt. We put a lot into winning this game. After it was over, I didn’t feel like sticking around and watching them (Ole Miss) celebrate. I wanted to get inside,” Heard said.

Heard was credited with two pass break ups, including a key one in the end zone when Ole Miss tried to go back to 6-foot-3 freshman Greg Hardy on a fade pattern. Hardy, the Rebels’ regular starting defensive end, had caught a 23-yard touchdown to cap Ole Miss’ opening drive.

&#8220We were kind of surprised they lined him up at receiver. It was his first time on offense,” Heard said of Hardy. &#8220And he’s a big dude. But he was no problem for me because I knew all he could run was a fade. And that’s what they ran, three fades.”

Heard had one tackle in the game, knocking Ole Miss quarterback Brent Schaeffer out of bounds after a six-yard scramble. He also had a near interception late in the first quarter.

&#8220The ball was thrown too low, and I had to kind of dive late for it. I was lucky on the hit on Schaeffer because he was nearing the sideline and it was almost a personal foul,” he said.

The tackle of Schaeffer was Heard’s 45th of the season. He also finished with two interceptions (in back-to-back games against Kentucky and Alabama) and eight pass break ups.

Heard hopes that State fans will stay behind Croom despite the season’s 3-9 final record.

&#8220The program is headed in the right direction. And some good things are going to happen. We’ve got a great running back in (Anthony) Dixon coming back for three more years,” Heard said of the freshman from Terry High who led all rushers Saturday with 125 yards on 25 carries.

The Ole Miss game was also the first time Heard was able to play against his former VHS teammate in Rory Johnson.

&#8220We talked a few days before the game. We were only together one year at Vicksburg, my senior year. When I saw him today, I was surprised by how much weight he’s picked up. He’s getting big,” Heard said.