The No. 23 Missouri Tigers faced the then No. 21 South Carolina Gamecocks in a battle for the Mayor’s Cup. After a fourth quarter that included four lead changes, Missouri fell 34-30. The heartbreaking loss ended not just Missouri’s five-year win streak against the Gamecocks but also any chance the Tigers had to make the College Football Playoffs.

At the beginning of the matchup, it was announced that starting quarterback Brady Cook would be playing, providing instant encouragement to Tiger fans. Cook suited up for the Tigers after being sidelined last week against Oklahoma due to an injury. 

“I’m blessed to be able to go out there tonight and play the game that I love and even though it didn’t go our way, I had a whole lot of fun with my teammates tonight,” Cook said. “That’s what I’m gonna remember when I look back at this season.”

Cook’s return provided a spark for the Tigers, as they jumped to a quick 3-0 lead. This occurred 5 minutes into the game after Missouri kicker Blake Craig drilled a 38-yard field goal. 

Unfortunately for Missouri, it took no time for South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers to get going. The Gamecock’s first offensive drive was highlighted by a 30-yard completion to tight end Joshua Simon and a 26-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Nyck Harbor. This gave the Gamecocks a 7-3 lead.

The Tigers responded by adding on a second field goal with 2:41 left in the first quarter. The 37-yard kick brought Missouri within one point of South Carolina.

Following this field goal, Missouri’s defense held South Carolina on fourth down. After converting two fourth-and-shorts on the same drive, the third time was not the charm. Missouri safety Joseph Charleston brought running back Raheim Sanders down and ended South Carolina’s drive.

After a missed field goal by the Tigers, South Carolina added more points to the board from a 6-yard touchdown pass to Simon, extending its lead to 14-6.

The Gamecocks stole another score before the first half expired and Missouri’s offense could only watch from the sideline as its defense let up a third touchdown.

The Tigers went into halftime with plenty of work to be done, especially if they wanted to come back and win this game. 

In the third quarter, Missouri scored its first touchdown of the game when running back Marcus Carroll pounded his way into the endzone from the 2-yard line. The Gamecocks held strong when they smothered Missouri’s 2-point attempt, maintaining a 21-12 lead.

A huge moment for Missouri came when it stopped South Carolina on fourth down for a third time. Taking over on downs, the Tigers made their way down the field but were held to yet another field goal. Craig nailed the 25-yard kick, cutting South Carolina’s lead to six points.

“Our inability to convert third downs in the red zone in the first half was why we were behind,” head coach Eliah Drinkwitz said. “If any of those are touchdowns, it’s a different game.”

Trailing by six points, Missouri’s defense needed a stop and it delivered. The Tigers handed South Carolina a three-and-out, forcing the Gamecocks to punt for the first time.

With all the momentum going its way, the Tigers scored when running back Nate Noel rushed for a 1-yard touchdown, giving Missouri its first lead since the first quarter.

After the Tigers scored 16 unanswered points, South Carolina decided it was time to respond. The Gamecocks marched down the field in a drive that ended in a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Michael Smith. Just like that, the Gamecocks were back in control. Due to a penalty negating its 2-point try, South Carolina held onto a 27-22 lead.

With just under 5 minutes of play remaining, Missouri’s offense ran out onto the field. The Tigers knew they needed to score and on an epic fourth down conversion, that’s just what they did.

Cook launched the ball deep for wide receiver Luther Burden III on fourth down-and-five. Burden came down with the ball in a beautiful one-handed grab and took off down the field. The completion marked not just a first down, but also a touchdown.

This gave Missouri a 30-27 lead with 1:02 left on the clock. Feeling good, the Tigers’ defense trotted out looking to put the game away. Heartbreak ensued for Tiger fans as the Gamecocks rallied to score a game-winning touchdown with 15 seconds remaining. The 15-yard dagger to Sanders put South Carolina up by four points and sent a shocked Missouri team home.

“Both sides of the ball did what they needed to do,” Drinkwitz said. “We just came up short.”

Historically, the Tigers have commanded the rivalry with South Carolina, but it’s the Gamecocks who get to hoist the Mayor’s Cup for the first time since 2018.

Missouri will look for revenge when they take on Mississippi State on Saturday, Nov. 23. The Week 13 matchup will kickoff at 3:15 p.m.

Edited by Michael Stamps | mstamps@themaneater.com

Copyedited by Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com 

Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com