Starkville, MS (Sports Network) - Lucas Taylor had 11 catches for 186 yards and a touchdown to lead 25th-ranked Tennessee past Mississippi State, 33-21.

Erik Ainge threw for 259 yards with two touchdowns and an interception on 22- of-36 passing for the Volunteers (4-2, 2-1 SEC), who have posted three straight wins.

Arian Foster added 139 yards rushing and a score for the Vols while Chris Brown had four catches for 26 yards and a touchdown.

Anthony Dixon ran for 108 yards with a touchdown for the Bulldogs (4-3, 1-3), who have two losses in their last three games.

Wesley Carroll completed 18-of-33 passes for 203 yards with a pair of touchdowns in the loss.

With 9:05 remaining in the opening quarter, the Volunteers struck first as Ainge completed a two-yard touchdown pass to Brown. Taylor had a 34-yard catch on the drive to put Tennessee inside Mississippi State territory.

The Bulldogs tied it at 7-7 with 5:21 left in the first quarter as Carroll connected with Tony Burks for a 39-yard touchdown reception.

On the second play of the second quarter, Dixon ripped off a 30-yard touchdown run to give Mississippi State a 14-7 advantage. Dixon also had a 17-yard run up the middle on the scoring drive.

The Vols responded with 10 straight points to take a 17-14 lead into halftime.

Ainge's 50-yard touchdown pass to Taylor with 8:05 to play in the second quarter tied the game and Daniel Lincoln's 47-yarder with just two seconds remaining put Tennessee in front.

A one-yard touchdown run by Foster early in the third quarter extended the Volunteers' lead to 24-14. Foster also had a 39-yard run on the scoring drive.

The Bulldogs pulled within three points after Jamayel Smith caught a 14-yard touchdown pass with 8:21 to play in the third quarter.

Lincoln's 29-yard field goal with 3:47 left in the third made it 27-21 in favor of Tennessee.

Two field goals in the fourth by Lincoln, a 26-yarder and a 42-yarder sealed the victory for the Vols.