STARKVILLE — Mississippi State isn’t used to having a target on its back.

But the Bulldogs are doing a good job of deflecting the oncoming bullets.

On a night in which Dak Prescott threw for a career-high 331 yards, it was Mississippi State’s defense that secured a 17-10 win over Arkansas and ensured the Bulldogs (8-0, 5-0 Southeastern Conference) will retain their No. 1 status.

MSU stuffed the Razorbacks on a goal line stand with 5:05 to play and picked off Brandon Allen in the back of the end zone with just 26 seconds remaining to wrap up the victory and stay atop the brutal SEC West.

“As coaches, we all know how hard it is to win in this league,” Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said. “That was a huge win for our team tonight against an excellent Arkansas football team.”

Arkansas jumped out to a 10-0 lead early in the first half on a 1-yard Alex Collins touchdown run and Adam McFain field goal, but the Bulldogs coupled an efficient offense with an opportunistic defense to climb back into the game.

Josh Robinson got MSU on the scoreboard in the second quarter with a 3-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to three and, after Evan Sobiesk’s 37-yard field goal knotted the game at 10, Mississippi State finally found its rhythm.

Prescott rebounded from two first-half interceptions to help his team take the lead for good. The junior Heisman hopeful, who moved gingerly in the pocket early on his injured left ankle, tossed a 69-yard touchdown pass to Fred Ross with 13:21 remaining to put Mississippi State on top 17-10.

“The line blocked good and Dak is just doing a good job at getting me the ball,” Ross said. “I’m working hard, going hard every play at practice and just earning his trust like that.”

Arkansas (4-5, 0-5) threatened multiple times in the fourth quarter, but the Bulldogs’ defense was able to come through with clutch stops to seal the deal in the end.

“Both defenses have played well in the red zone all year. I’m proud of our guys,” Mullen said. “We made stops when we needed to make stops at the end.”

With the Razorbacks methodically driving down the field to tie the game in the final minute of play, cornerback Will Redmond jumped up and snagged a fade pass in the end zone with 26 seconds left for the game-sealing interception. The pick allowed Mississippi State to stave off a hungry Arkansas team that has struggled mightily in SEC play the past two years, and served as a healthy reminder that Mississippi State is a team that has learned how to win in all situations.

“Will is playing very well and he plays aggressive,” Mullen said. “He’s a smart young man. I think he really studies the game and wants to be a great player.”

The win extended Arkansas’ SEC losing streak to 17 games dating back to 2012. Mississippi State is now 8-0 for the first time since 1999.

“Fortunately we were able to make one more play there at the end of the game,” Mullen said. “Our guys are finding ways to win, and that’s all that matters.”