Last Monday, as Missouri football prepared to play Arkansas, coach Gary Pinkel said his team couldn’t afford to be “eating hot dogs with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter.”
Saturday’s inaugural “Battle Line Rivalry” and de facto Southeastern Conference East Division title game against Arkansas was just another stepping stone in a season that has been defined by contests’ final 15 minutes.
Mizzou rattled off six straight victories en route to a second consecutive SEC East title. Five of those six games were decided by 10 points or less.
“I think we just kind of accepted it at that point, that’s what this season might be like,” Pinkel said. “This season might be a fourth-quarter season.”
Against the Razorbacks, Mizzou once again rose to the occasion late in the game. After three quarters saw an offense that had been smothered by Arkansas’ defense, something clicked, and Mizzou caught fire.
“We just started executing, and it starts with (Maty Mauk) obviously and a bunch of guys making plays,” Pinkel said after the game.”
Mizzou trailed 14-6 when Mauk, Missouri’s sophomore quarterback, connected with senior receiver Jimmie Hunt for a 44-yard gain on the first play of the fourth quarter. Hunt finished the drive with a four-yard touchdown reception, and the Tigers executed a trick play on the ensuing two-point conversion to tie the game.
The scoring drive lasted 10 plays and 98 yards. Ninety-one of those yards came in the fourth quarter.
“When it’s crunch time, (Mauk) is producing,” Pinkel said. “In our business, there always comes a time when you have to make a few big plays if you want to have an opportunity to win.”
On Mizzou’s next offensive series, Marcus Murphy capped off an 85-yard drive with a go-ahead rushing touchdown. The defense forced a turnover to clinch the victory. Fans rushed the field while Ray Charles’ “Georgia on My Mind” played in the background.
The team’s fourth quarter success started with Mauk’s improved decision-making. Less frequently is he throwing into double coverage and trying to extend plays, and Mizzou has benefited late in games.
“I think that’s in his makeup, his DNA,” Pinkel said. “He’s playing better and better each week.”
The offense will have a significant challenge against Alabama in the SEC championship game. Crimson Tide safety Landon Collins is widely considered to be one of the top defensive forces in the nation. Alabama’s strong linebacker play and physical defensive linemen could present problems for Missouri.
“It’s another game,” Mauk said. “It’s just got a title on it.”
Mizzou comes in as 13.5-point underdogs against the Crimson Tide, but senior defensive lineman Markus Golden said the team doesn’t even pay attention to the “underdog” role anymore.
“We respect ourselves,” Golden said. “We know what we can do. Now, we’re just trying to bring this program a championship.”
Not many are giving the Tigers a chance against Alabama, but if the game comes down to the final 15 minutes, Pinkel likely won’t be handing out hot dogs along the sideline.