Missouri was victorious in its penultimate regular season matchup as they near the end of the 2024 season. 

The Tigers dropped its third game of the season, a 34-30 loss to South Carolina on Nov. 16. However, Missouri found victory in defeat, with several key players back in the lineup against the Gamecocks.

Missouri converted this success into a bounce back win 39-20 against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Nov. 23 in Starkville, Miss.

So, what exactly can we take away from the Tiger’s latest matchup with the Bulldogs?

Well rounded offense

Missouri is nearing full strength after weeks of substituting players due to injuries. A healthy unit has allowed the Tigers to develop a balanced offensive attack.

In Saturday’s showdown, the Tigers totaled 472 yards of offense, its highest total in a conference game this season.

Quarterback Brady Cook led the offensive charge, throwing for a season-high 268 yards. This is an excellent sign for the Tigers, being Cook’s second outing since injuring his throwing wrist against Alabama on Oct. 26.

Missouri’s receiving duo shined again this week as Luther Burden III and Theo Wease Jr. combined for over 150 yards for the second consecutive week.

The ground game was rock solid, with the running back tandem of Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll shouldering a hefty portion of the offensive production. The pair combined for 39 total carries. Noel ran for a team-high 95 yards and Carroll recorded three rushing touchdowns and an additional two-point conversion.

Freshman running back Jamal Roberts got in the mix on the ground, taking five carries for 29 yards. Several other young stars made waves in the passing game as well. Wide receivers Marquis Johnson and Joshua Manning dazzled with long receptions of 45 and 36 yards, respectively. Sophomore tight end Brett Norfleet rounded out the day’s pass catchers, adding two receptions for 24 yards.

The blend of the rushing and passing attacks involving veterans and underclassmen is a good signal for the Tigers’ success this season and beyond.

Time of possession

The Tigers and Bulldogs played a tightly contested affair throughout the first quarter. Mississippi State started strong, controlling the ball for most of the quarter.

Mississippi held possession for nine minutes and seven seconds of the first quarter. However, they would only have the ball on offense for another nine minutes and two seconds through the remaining three quarters.

Missouri’s dominance was exemplified in the second half by their time-of-possession ratio.  In the third quarter, the Tigers held possession for 13 minutes and three seconds out of a possible 15 minutes. The game was put on ice in the fourth quarter thanks to Missouri’s consistent control of the ball, maintaining possession for 13 minutes and 11 seconds compared to Mississippi State’s one minute and 49 seconds.

Missouri put together several impressive drives, running the clock and converting on third and fourth downs. Missouri converted on 11-of-18 third-downs while reaching the line to gain on two fourth-down attempts. They outnumbered Mississippi State 23-16 in first downs en route to the decisive victory.

Not done yet 

Missouri is no longer on the hunt for a College Football Playoff spot but ranks as the No. 24 best team in the latest AP polls. The Tigers are 8-3 and have already reached bowl game eligibility.

Missouri has quickly recovered from its errors, now fielding its most complete unit of the season.

Missouri still has the opportunity to reach the 10-win mark, which would be the first time the Tigers have done so in back-to-back seasons since the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

The Tigers stand before a regular season and conference finale before focusing on postseason play.

There seems to be plenty of fight left in Missouri as its next matchup took place on the Tiger’s senior day. 

Missouri hosted its bitter rival Arkansas in a showdown for the Battle Line Trophy on Nov. 30 at 2:30 pm at Faurot Field where the Tigers were victorious, finishing the regular season with a 9-3 record.

Edited by Michael Stamps | mstamps@themaneater.com

Copyedited by Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com 

Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com