Mizzou QB Brady Cook looks for someone to throw to during Saturday’s NCAA Football game against South Carolina. (Photo courtesy: AP Photo)
| NCAA Football | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #23 Missouri (7-3, 3-3) | 6 | 0 | 6 | 18 | 30 |
| #21 South Carolina (7-3, 5-3) | 7 | 14 | 0 | 13 | 34 |
Terrance Williams
Staff Writer
COLUMBIA, SC — The University of Missouri football team lost a one-score game, 34-30, Saturday night against South Carolina. It was the first time in the last two seasons that had happened to the Tigers.
In that time, Missouri had won games all kinds of ways — long field goals, last-second touchdowns on offense, last-second touchdowns on defense, and even by stopping opponents who were attempting to comeback in the final seconds.
It was a thrilling run of eight straight wins versus zero losses in games by seven points or fewer. But it ended Saturday night when South Carolina scored a touchdown with 15 seconds left to win the game.
“I think it’s just all three phases of the game needing to work together to find ways to win and being dialed in what you’re doing in those phases and not letting the moment be too big for you,” Mizzou head coach Eli Drinkwitz said. “We made too many mistakes on both sides of the ball. We missed a field goal too, earlier in the game. We didn’t do enough to cinch this win like we could have.”
What Mizzou did do was overcome a rough first half that saw the Tigers trailing 21-6 at halftime. Mizzou scored 16 straight points to take an early fourth quarter lead, then rallied again to score with just over a minute remaining in the game to take a 30-27 lead.
Quarterback Brady Cook, who made a surprise start despite being listed as doubtful on the pregame injury report, found fellow St. Louisan, Luther Burden III for a 37-yard touchdown to put the Tigers up with 1:10 left in the game. Running back Jamal Roberts converted a two-point conversion to give the Tigers a three-point lead with a minute to go.
But the Gamecocks drove 70 yards in 47 seconds, capped by a 15-yard shovel pass touchdown catch-and-run by Rocket Sanders, to retake the lead and win the game.
South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers (16) is tackled by Missouri LB Corey Flagg Jr., right, during the first half of an NCAA Football game in Columbia, S.C. (Photo courtesy: AP Photo)
Cook threw an interception on Mizzou’s final play to end the game. The senior finished with 237 passing yards, a touchdown toss, and the interception.
Running back Nate Noel had a huge night in his return from injury as well. He finished with 150 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries.
Marcus Carroll also scored a touchdown and kicker Blake Craig made three of the four field goals he attempted.
On defense, linebackers Corey Flagg, Jr., had nine tackles and Triston Newson had eight.
Missouri WR Luther Burden III scores a 37-yard touchdown during the second half of an NCAA Football game against South Carolina, Saturday night in Columbia, S.C. (Photo courtesy: AP Photo)
Mizzou is now 7-3 on the season and 3-3 in SEC play. The Tigers will be on the road again next weekend, when they’ll travel to Starkville to take on Mississippi State.
Kickoff on Saturday is slated for 3:15 p.m., and the game will be televised on the SEC Network.
SCORING SUMMARY
| Qtr | Time | Scoring Play | MIZ | USC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 10:00 | MIZ – Craig,Blake 38 yd field goal 10 plays, 57 yards, TOP 04:55 | 3 | 0 |
| 1st | 07:27 | USC – Harbor,Nyck 26 yd pass from Sellers,LaNorris (Herrera,Alex kick) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:33 | 3 | 7 |
| 1st | 02:41 | MIZ – Craig,Blake 37 yd field goal 10 plays, 57 yards, TOP 04:46 | 6 | 7 |
| 2nd | 01:57 | USC – Simon,Joshua 6 yd pass from Sellers,LaNorris (Herrera,Alex kick) 6 plays, 68 yards, TOP 02:34 | 6 | 14 |
| 2nd | 00:39 | USC – Brown,Jared 38 yd pass from Sellers,LaNorris (Herrera,Alex kick) 5 plays, 77 yards, TOP 00:54 | 6 | 21 |
| 3rd | 04:54 | MIZ – Carroll,Marcus 2 yd run ( ), 10 plays, 66 yards, TOP 06:12 | 12 | 21 |
| 4th | 12:49 | MIZ – Craig,Blake 25 yd field goal 9 plays, 30 yards, TOP 04:12 | 15 | 21 |
| 4th | 09:12 | MIZ – Noel,Nate 1 yd run (Craig,Blake kick), 4 plays, 66 yards, TOP 01:41 | 22 | 21 |
| 4th | 05:04 | USC – Smith,Michael 5 yd pass from Sellers,LaNorris ( ) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:08 | 22 | 27 |
| 4th | 01:10 | MIZ – Burden,Luther 37 yd pass from Cook,Brady (Roberts,Jamal rush) 8 plays, 66 yards, TOP 03:45 | 30 | 27 |
| 4th | 00:15 | USC – Sanders,Raheim 15 yd pass from Sellers,LaNorris (Herrera,Alex kick) 6 plays, 70 yards, TOP 00:47 | 30 | 34 |
MISSOURI TIGERS 2024 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
| Date | Time | At | Opponent | Location | TV | Radio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 23, 2024 (Saturday) | 3:15 pm | Away | Mississippi State | Starkville, Miss. |  | Tiger Radio Network |
| November 30, 2024 (Saturday) | TBA | Home | Arkansas | Columbia, Mo. / Faurot Field | Tiger Radio Network |