For nearly four hours Saturday night in Columbia, Missouri and Georgia battled on Faurot Field. The game unfolded unpredictably, all plot twists and momentum swings and breathtaking plays. Missouri raced to a 10-0 lead, and then the contest featured five lead changes.
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
The game turned on a 4th-and-10, do-or-die play with Georgia driving deep into Missouri territory. Missouri clung stubbornly to a 27-21 lead with a minute and a half to go. Due to turnovers and the running game stalling out, the Tigers hadn’t been able to put the game way. But on first, second and third down with their backs nearly up against the Rock M hillside, the Missouri defense had held.
Then, on fourth down, with the Missouri fans roaring for an upset, freshman Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason lofted a perfect pass over the top to Isaiah McKenzie for a touchdown, over Missouri’s fine cornerback Aarion Penton, and the crowd fell silent in shock, save for the delirious Georgia fans in the corner. Uga the Bulldog mascot, kept cool on the sideline by a system of fans and ice bags, probably panted with approval. The extra point kick made it 28-27, Georgia.
It was a devastating blow, but Missouri still had a little time to hurry down the field for what could be the game-winning field goal. Tucker McCann had made a 46-yard field goal earlier in the game.
Drew Lock completed an 18-yard pass to J’Mon Moore near midfield, and Missouri was immediately in business. But as Moore tried to get by the Georgia defenders and score, he fumbled. Georgia recovered. Ballgame. 28-27, Bulldogs.
Few places I’ve been are as quiet as Memorial Stadium emptying out after a stunning Tiger loss.
Moore had an otherwise fine game, with 196 receiving yards.
Missouri (1-2, 0-1 in SEC play) proved they could stand toe-to-toe with Georgia (3-0, 1-0 in SEC). But this was a brutal missed opportunity for a big win. After Missouri took a 27-21 lead early in the third quarter, the Tigers had seven possessions. They went six yards and a punt, interception, seven yards and a punt, interception, interception, 16 yards and a punt, fumble. Points on any of those drives might have won the game.
Missouri committed five turnovers in the game, including four in the second half.
A big missed opportunity, but the Tigers showed some encouraging signs.
Next up, Missouri hosts Delaware State Saturday (3 p.m. on SEC Network).
The Tigers should win big. Delaware State (0-2) plays in the Football Championship Subdivision, the lower tier of Division I college football. In Missouri’s last 12 games against FCS schools, the Tigers have won all 12 with an average victory margin of 49-9.
The Hornets lost by 14 to Monmouth on Dec. 10. This should be a nice, comfortable win for Missouri. Hopefully it can provide some good feelings before the Tigers return to SEC play with a daunting Oct. 1 trip to LSU’s famed “Death Valley.”