Jeremiah Masoli threw two touchdown passes and Brandon Bolden scored three times as Mississippi survived Ryan Colburn and Fresno State in a 55-38 shootout victory on Saturday.

Off to a disappointing start, Mississippi (2-2) needed a win and got one thanks to its offense. Masoli threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Melvin Harris in the first quarter and added his second scoring strike early in the fourth when he hit Bolden for a five-yard score to put the Rebels in front 48-24.

Ole Miss racked up 578 yards and overcame another spotty performance by its defense. Mississippi came into the game ranked last in the Southeastern Conference in scoring defense and lived up to that billing, allowing Fresno State to move the ball effectively throughout the game.

Fresno State (2-1) still has not defeated an SEC team, but that's certainly not Colburn's fault.

He completed 33-of-44 passes for 404 yards and four touchdowns, but despite his heroics, the Bulldogs had no answer for Bolden.

Bolden rushed for 222 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries and he added two receptions for 16 yards and a score. He made it 34-10 on the first play of the third quarter when he got loose for a 71-yard touchdown run, and he scored twice in the fourth quarter to make sure any comeback attempt by the Bulldogs fell short.

It was a big win for the Rebels, who host Kentucky next week before getting into the meat of their schedule with trips to Alabama and Arkansas.