What we know now about Missouri after a tough loss against South Carolina
The No. 23 Missouri Tigers traveled to Columbia, S.C. to face the No. 21 South Carolina Gamecocks in a must-win matchup for both teams’ playoff hopes. The Gamecocks surged to a 15-point halftime lead, but Missouri was able to work its way back into the game in the second half. A defensive collapse from Missouri in the final minute was enough for South Carolina to come away with the 34-30 victory. Here’s a look at what we learned from the Tigers and what it means for their season.
Defensive disaster
Missouri’s defense was the story of the game against Oklahoma, with Zion Young recovering a fumble for a touchdown for the go-ahead score in the final minute.
After an interception in the second quarter by Dreyden Norwood, it seemed that the defense was ready to step up again. However, the Gamecocks were able to put together two touchdown drives in the final two minutes of the half for a 21-6 lead.
After a miraculous touchdown reception by Luther Burden III, giving the Tigers the lead with 1:02 left in the game, the defense allowed the Gamecocks to march 70 yards in six plays for the game-winning touchdown.
The Tigers’ defense missed tackles in key moments throughout the game. LaNorris Sellers escaped from a potential Johnny Walker Jr. sack in the fourth quarter, and Raheim Sanders bounced off of four defenders en route to the end zone for the game-sealing touchdown. When Sellers escaped the pocket, he routinely found receivers downfield.
The defense must be better, and it starts at the top. Defensive coordinator Corey Batoon must look for better ways to utilize the talent on the defense, especially the defensive line. In each of Missouri’s three losses, its opponents have scored at least 34 points.
Involving the receivers
Burden entered the matchup on a five-game receiving touchdown drought, last seeing the endzone against Vanderbilt in September. That changed on a fourth down with 1:10 remaining in the game, when he hauled in a one-handed touchdown reception.
Brady Cook’s presence opened up the passing offense. Burden hauled in eight receptions for 69 receiving yards, and the touchdown catch was his second-longest reception of the year. Theo Wease Jr. had six catches for 85 yards, and Marquis Johnson caught a 49-yard pass in the fourth quarter to put the Tigers in scoring territory.
Although the offense has struggled this season, they hit their stride in the second half. Nate Noel was a huge contributor with 150 rushing yards and a touchdown. However, the offense’s downfield passing ability was what unlocked its entire potential. With two games remaining in the regular season, the Tigers must keep their offensive weapons involved in the receiving game.
No playoffs, no problem?
The loss was likely the final blow to Missouri’s already slim playoff hopes, as their chances of being selected are now below 1%. The Tigers were viewed as playoff hopefuls all year, ranked as high as No. 6 in the AP poll.
While Missouri supporters may feel frustrated after the tough loss to South Carolina, the program is in a good spot. The team has the chance to finish 9-3 if they beat Arkansas and Mississippi State in their final two regular season games. If so, it would be the first time the Tigers had two straight nine-plus win seasons for the first time since the 2013-14 season.
Missouri football will play Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss. for their game at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Edited by Dylan Heinrich | dheinrich@themaneater.com
Copyedited by Chase Pray and Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com
Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com