Mizzou RB Cody Schrader breaks away from a Middle Tennessee defender during Saturday’s NCAA football game at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. (Photo: Terrance Williams)
| NCAA Football | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Tennessee (0-2) | 0 | 7 | 3 | 9 | 19 |
| Missouri (2-0) | 3 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 23 |
Cedric Williams
Senior Editor
COLUMBIA, MO — It was supposed to be an easier win than it turned out to be.
The finish, especially, was a lot tighter than anyone expected.
But the University of Missouri Tigers didn’t fold and held on for a 23-19 win over Middle Tennessee, Saturday afternoon at Faurot Field.
Missouri outgain Middle Tennessee 316 yards to 285, and outrushed them 112 yards to just 71. But the Blue Raiders were able to stay in the game, and even forced a late safety that gave them a chance to take the lead.
Fortunately, the Tigers defense stiffened when it needed to to hold on to the lead.
On its final drive, Middle Tennessee drove to the Mizzou 42, but couldn’t get any closer to the end zone, as the Tigers forced a final incompletion to get the ball back.
On its final possession, Missouri picked up two first downs to help run out the clock.
Throughout the game, Missouri leaned on explosive plays in a matchup that generally lacked offensive momentum.
The Tigers still relied on a healthy amount of running, but junior quarterback Brady Cook’s arm provided crucial yards.
Sophomore wide receiver Luther Burden III was on the receiving end of most of that yardage, picking up 117 yards on eight catches.
In the third quarter, it was a 44-yard toss over the top of the defense to Burden that set the Tigers up for a touchdown and a lead they didn’t relinquish. When Cook found graduate running back Nathaniel Peat in wide open space for a 49-yard touchdown on the next possession, Mizzou had enough to hold on.
The result, however tenuous, moved Missouri to 2-0 to start. And while their defense sagged at inopportune times, the Tigers sifted through chaos for a win in front of a crowd of 57,645.
Mizzou will face its first big test of the season, next Saturday, when it hosts No. 15 Kansas State. Kickoff at Faurot Field is scheduled for 11 a.m.
Scoring Summary
| Qtr | Time | Scoring Play | MTS | MIZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 05:21 | MIZ – Mevis, Harrison 38 yd field goal 8 plays, 34 yards, TOP 03:58 | 0 | 3 |
| 2nd | 08:14 | MTS – Norris, Kalani 3 yd pass from Vattiato, Nicholas (Rankin, Zeke kick) 14 plays, 86 yards, TOP 07:17 | 7 | 3 |
| 2nd | 00:24 | MIZ – Cook, Brady 1 yd run (Mevis, Harrison kick), 16 plays, 71 yards, TOP 07:45 | 7 | 10 |
| 3rd | 08:39 | MTS – Rankin, Zeke 25 yd field goal 14 plays, 68 yards, TOP 06:21 | 10 | 10 |
| 3rd | 04:58 | MIZ – Wease, Theo 5 yd pass from Cook, Brady (PAT failed) 8 plays, 80 yards, TOP 03:35 | 10 | 16 |
| 4th | 14:53 | MIZ – Peat, Nathaniel 49 yd pass from Cook, Brady (Mevis, Harrison kick) 7 plays, 82 yards, TOP 02:39 | 10 | 23 |
| 4th | 06:57 | MTS – Olson, Justin 13 yd pass from Vattiato, Nicholas (Rankin, Zeke kick) 11 plays, 84 yards, TOP 03:30 | 17 | 23 |
| 4th | 06:07 | MTS – 0 yd safety | 19 | 23 |