CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott soaked it up until the end -- and then beyond.

His final collegiate game was worth savoring.

Prescott capped his career by throwing for four touchdowns as the Bulldogs built an early lead and defeated North Carolina State 51-28 in the Belk Bowl on Wednesday at rainy Bank of America Stadium.

"This game I'll always remember being my last one and having a good performance," Prescott said. "This win is so special."

After sending Prescott out to take a final snap, the Bulldogs used a timeout with 30 seconds remaining. He left the field to a raucous ovation from thousands of cowbell-ringing Mississippi State fans.

Prescott completed 25 of 42 passes for a Belk Bowl-record 380 yards. He was intercepted once. Prescott also led the Bulldogs in rushing with 47 yards on 12 carries.

"What he has done, I can't imagine a college player meaning more than what he has meant to this university," coach Dan Mullen said.

Wide receiver Fred Ross and running back Brandon Holloway scored two touchdowns apiece for the Bulldogs.

Mississippi State (9-4) has consecutive seasons of nine wins or more for the first time in program history.

"It's a very special group to be a consistent winner," Mullen said.

After the game, Prescott was in no hurry to depart the field. He was named the bowl's Most Valuable Player and then basked in the cheers from adoring fans.

"It's a special place, and I'm so thankful," Prescott said of Mississippi State. "I bought in five years ago, and it was everything I wanted. For it all to come true, it's surreal."

Prescott became the fourth player in Football Bowl Subdivision history to compile 9,000 passing yards and 2,500 rushing yards in a career. He topped the 300-yard passing mark in a game for a school-record ninth time, including seven times this season.

His final two touchdown passes went to Holloway -- for 10 yards in the third quarter and for 55 yards with 9:41 left.

"He got the defense off balance, and he threw the deep ball very well," North Carolina State defensive end Mike Rose said.

Mississippi State's point total set a bowl record.

North Carolina State (7-6) was nearly shut out across the game's last 22 minutes until fullback Jaylen Samuels' 1-yard touchdown run on fourth down with 45 seconds remaining.

"Obviously, our opponent made a lot of plays, and we needed to make more," North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren said.

North Carolina State quarterback Jacoby Brissett, also playing in his last college game, was 12-for-28 with 214 yards. He threw one touchdown pass and was intercepted twice.

After beginning the season with a 4-0 record, the Wolfpack had trouble gaining traction and went 0-6 teams that qualified for bowls.

Mullen said he was adamant about making sure the Bulldogs took this game seriously.

"I wanted to make sure we understood," Mullen said. "I kind of jumped on everybody (a day earlier)."

Mississippi State linebacker Gerri Green intercepted Brissett on the game's first snap. The Bulldogs converted on Prescott's 14-yard pass to Ross on a catch-and-run touchdown.

Brissett, who was intercepted only four times in the regular season, was picked off twice in the first 12 minutes. The second time Wednedsay, it was safety Brandon Bryant.

Two plays later, Prescott' threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver De'Runnya Wilson.

"It was the opposite of what we were hoping for in the first quarter," Doeren said.

Ross scored on a 33-yard reverse run with 12:17 left in the second quarter.

North Carolina State responded with Brissett's 82-yard scoring strike to recently converted tight end Pharoah McKever.

After Prescott was intercepted by cornerback Niles Clark, North Carolina State was within 21-14 when Samuels ran 48 yards on a fourth-and-1 play.

Offensive guard Justin Malone scored Mississippi State's next touchdown by picking up Prescott's fumble in the end zone. Bulldogs kicker Westin Graves' 39-yard field goal made it 31-14 at the half.

NOTES: Mississippi State was in a bowl for a school-record sixth year in a row. ... This was North Carolina State's third bowl appearance in Charlotte, following wins over South Florida in 2005 and Louisville in 2011. ... Ten North Carolina State players are listed as being from Charlotte. ... Each of Mississippi State's losses this year came against teams that were nationally ranked at the time. ... The Bulldogs are 5-3 against Atlantic Coast Conference opponents in bowls ... Mississippi State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz was a North Carolina State graduate assistant (2000-01) and later a full-time defensive assistant (2002-05). Mississippi State defensive line coach David Turner spent time on North Carolina State's coaching staff (1988-89, 1995-96). ... The teams are scheduled to meet in 2020 in Raleigh, N.C., and in 2021 in Starkville, Miss.