Missouri Outlasts Auburn in Battle of Tigers

© Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The No. 19 Missouri Tigers (6-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) hosted the Auburn Tigers (2-5, 0-4) on Oct. 19 in Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo. Missouri overcame injuries and special teams' miscues and came back from a 14-point deficit to defeat Auburn 21-17.

Game Summary

Missouri starting quarterback Brady Cook injured his ankle during the game's opening drive and would spend most of the game in the locker room. Backup QB Drew Pyne came in for Cook and Missouri came out of the drive with a 51-yard field goal by Blake Craig at the 8:24 mark in the first quarter. The Tigers would miss two other field goals, and both teams would exchange fumbles in a first half dominated by the defenses as Missouri ended the first quarter with a 3-0 lead Auburn tied the game in the second quarter on a 32-yard field goal by Towns McGough with 11:12 remaining in the second quarter. The game would be tied 3-3 at halftime. In the third quarter Auburn took a 10-3 lead as it scored on a 47-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Payton Thorne to freshman receiver Cam Coleman on the second half's opening drive at the 12:34 mark in the third quarter. Auburn pushed to a 17-3 lead when Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III muffed a punt with 11:08 remaining in the third quarter resulting in an Auburn touchdown by Antonio Kite. Missouri answered back with a 38-yard field goal by Blake Craig with 7:44 remaining in the third quarter as Auburn led 17-6.

Auburn tried to add to its lead with 31 seconds left in the third quarter, Tigers freshman kicker Towns McGough missed a field goal. And on the ensuing drive, Cook returned to the field to a raucous eruption from the Missouri fans. Cook immediately put the Tigers in position for running back Marcus Carrol to punch in a touchdown from the 2-yard line. A two-point conversion made it a 17-14 Auburn lead, but all of the momentum belonged to Missouri. The Tigers would take the lead for good with 46 seconds left in the game on a 4-yard touchdown run from running back Jamal Roberts.

Play of the Game

If there must be a specific play that meant more than the others, then it is the conversion on fourth-and-5 that kept Missouri moving late in the game. Auburn was in man coverage, and Brady hit Burden on an out route to keep the drive alive.

But the true difference in the game was Cook's injury. It was a tale of two halves with Cook out. The Missouri offense struggled mightily in the first half but was able to move the ball when it mattered most in the second half after Cook returned. Cook brought energy to the offense and the fans. He led the Tigers on a 17-play, 95-yard drive to take the lead and close out the game.

Looking Ahead: Missouri

It's a big deal for Missouri to pull out that win without their starting quarterback for most of the game. With only one loss, these Tigers remain a major player in the race for the SEC. Up next for Missouri is a visit to the No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide (5-1, 2-1), a true test of where they stand in the conference.

Looking Ahead: Auburn

The "we're almost there" excuse is certainly getting old for the Auburn Tigers. But it isn't an inaccurate claim. These Tigers are talented and young. It may not feel like it right this second, but Auburn's future is bright. Dropping the game to Mizzou leaves the possibility of a bowl game looking bleak. The Tigers travel to face Kentucky (3-3, 1-3) next. It is a must-win game for Auburn if the Tigers hope to sniff a bowl game this season.