Chris Relf’s 17-yard touchdown pass to LaDarius Perkins in overtime gave host Mississippi State a 26-20 victory over upset-minded Louisiana Tech on Saturday.

After Nick Isham was intercepted on Louisiana Tech’s first possession of overtime, Chad Bumphis rushed for 8 yards before Relf and Perkins ended the game.

Mississippi State (2-2) was only 3-for-16 on third downs, but made several key plays on special teams, including Bumphis’ 82-yard punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter.

Louisiana Tech (1-3) had a chance to take the lead with 3:38 remaining in regulation, but Isham’s pass on 3rd-and-5 was intercepted in the end zone by Johnthan Banks.

Louisiana Tech rebounded with a big game after blowing a 27-point lead in the final 20 minutes to lose 35-34 against Houston last week.

Lennon Creer led the Bulldogs’ rushing attack with 82 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown Saturday.

After a poor showing last week against LSU, Relf completed only 14-of-29 passes for 164 yards against Louisiana Tech. Unlike last week, however, he wasn’t pulled late in the game.

Mississippi State’s Brandon Wilson had a career-high 17 tackles, which marks the most by a player in the SEC this season.