Deep passing and effective run game pushed Tigers past Bulldogs
The No. 23 Missouri Tigers played Mississippi State in its final away game of the year, defeating the Bulldogs 39-20. Despite a slow start on offense, the Tigers settled in and controlled the pace of the game.
Before safety Daylan Carnell’s 68-yard fumble recovery touchdown in the first quarter, Missouri seemed to be in for another scrappy game. At the time of the touchdown, they were trailing 3-0 and started the game with back-to-back three-and-outs, including one that ended at their own 1-yard line. However, after Kristian Williams forced the fumble that Carnell took all the way back, the game’s story flipped.
Missouri’s offense quickly found its footing after a slow start, pouring on 21 points in the first half after Carnell’s touchdown. Two of those scores came from running back Marcus Carroll, who was able to find paydirt from two yards and 19 yards out.
Missouri’s defense was led by its defensive backs, with Joseph Charleston and Toriano Pride Jr. combined for 11 tackles. Charleston had a key pass breakup on a third down that would have put the Bulldogs on the doorstep of the end zone.
Carnell’s fumble recovery was the only turnover of the game for either side. The Tigers held Mississippi State under 100 total yards in the second and fourth quarters and controlled the time of possession as well. Missouri possessed the ball for nearly 42 minutes, meaning the Bulldogs only had 18 minutes with the ball.
Brady Cook once again got the start for the Tigers and gashed the Bulldogs on several deep passes. On third down from the Bulldogs’ 28-yard line with 9:58 left in the second quarter, Cook rolled to his right and fired to Luther Burden III, who came down with a difficult touchdown catch in the back of the end zone.
Marquis Johnson, who hauled in a 49-yard reception against South Carolina, pulled in a 45-yard catch against double coverage to set up Carroll’s first touchdown. Theo Wease Jr.’s 38-yard reception on third down put the Tigers in position for Carroll’s second touchdown, which gave Missouri a 28-10 lead.
The Bulldogs opened the second half by holding the Tigers to a field goal. Their next two offensive plays were rushes of 22 yards and 43 yards by Davon Booth, with the latter being a touchdown to make the score 31-20. However, even with possession after a missed Blake Craig field goal, the Bulldogs couldn’t gather enough offensive momentum to make it a one-score game.
Trailing by 11, Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. found Kelly Akharaiyi for 49 yards to seriously threaten the Missouri lead. However, with their eyes on the end zone, the Bulldogs passed up a field goal attempt on fourth down and didn’t convert. Missouri marched down the field on the subsequent drive, a 14-play, 83-yard sequence, culminating in Carroll’s third touchdown, sealing the game for the Tigers.
Missouri wraps up its regular season at home against the Arkansas Razorbacks at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30.
Edited by Michael Stamps | mstamps@themaneater.com
Copyedited by Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com
Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com