STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) _ Wes Byrum kicked a 36-yard field goal in the second quarter and that was all No. 9 Auburn needed to defeat Mississippi State 3-2 on Saturday night.

The Tigers (3-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) committed three turnovers, missed two field goals and handed the Bulldogs their only points with a safety.

But Auburn allowed only 116 yards to Mississippi State (1-2, 0-1).

The Tigers new spread offense still has lots of work to do. Chris Todd was 14-for-26 for 154 yards and Ben Tate ran for 92 yards on 20 carries.

Mississippi State scored with 7:05 left the fourth quarter when Auburn offensive lineman Ryan Pugh was called for holding in the end zone, giving the Bulldogs two points.

Wesley Carroll was 10-for-25 for 78 yards for the Bulldogs.