Oct 26, 2013; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Marcus Murphy (6) runs in for a touchdown as South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) attempts the tackle during the first half at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
This one is going to take awhile to get over. Missouri had this game in the bag in the second half, but South Carolina crawled back into it. Missouri had a game tying field goal all set up, but missed it off the post. The perfect season, the undefeated record, more national respect, a stronghold on first place in the SEC East… all gone. This one is going to take awhile to get over.
Missouri started the game with an excellent first half. Marcus Murphy scored on a11 yard run late in the first half, putting Mizzou up 7-0. Missouri added seven more with a 96 yard pass from Maty Mauk to L’Damian Washington. That was an electric play and things were looking good on both sides of the ball at the half.
After adding an Andrew Baggett field goal with 6:46 left in the third quarter, Steve Spurrier made a gutsy call and brought Connor Shaw into the game at quarterback. Shaw led a valiant comeback, concluding with a two yard pass with under a minute to go. That score tied the game up at 17, and both teams headed into overtime.
Mizzou struck first in overtime on a Marcus Murphy one yard run. After holding tough, the Tiger defense conceded a touchdown to the Gamecocks on fourth and goal from the 15 yard line. It was a miracle play and the teams headed to a second overtime.
USC got the ball first, and kicked a 40 yard field goal to go ahead by three. The opportunity was there for Missouri to win the football game with a touchdown and move to 8-0. After a great 17 yard run by Marcus Murphy, the Tiger’s offense stalled out. Andrew Baggett missed a short field goal, and the perfect record was gone.
In defeat, Missouri played a really good game. It was a tough one to swallow for Missouri fans, and it will be really tough for the team to deal with going forward. Being so close to victory and having a 17 point lead in the second half makes the defeat even tougher. But Missouri has three easier games to recover before Texas A&M comes to town in the last game of the season.