Bodog Beat

Mississippi State players celebrate with the Liberty Bowl trophy after defeating Central Florida 10-3. (AP Images)

Mississippi State edged Central Florida 10-3 in the Liberty Bowl Saturday in Memphis, and earned their first bowl win since 2000.

Anthony Dixon plunged into the end zone from one yard out with 1:54 left and the Bulldogs hung on to defeat the Knights.

Dixon gained 86 yards on 24 carries for the Mississippi State, who finished their season by winning four of five after a 4-4 start, and winning their first bowl since a 43-41 win over Texas A&M in the 2000 Independence Bowl

Wesley Carroll completed 8-of-18 passes for 39 yards with one interception to lead an ineffective Bulldogs air attack.

Kevin Smith, the nation's leading rusher and scorer, gained 119 yards, but it took him 35 carries. He finished the season with 2,567 yards on the ground, falling 61 yards shy of the single-season rushing record.

Kyle Israel was picked off three times for the Knights, completing 10-of-24 passes for 88 yards.

UCF saw its seven-game win streak come to an end, and failed again in its quest for a bowl win. The Knights have dropped both bowl games they have appeared in.

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