The Missouri Tigers outlasted the Tennessee Volunteers Saturday night, despite some really bad penalties and late game drama, holding on 29-21 thanks mostly to fourth quarter heroics from Tigers quarterback Maty Mauk and his variety of receivers.
Nov 22, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Maty Mauk (7) passes the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Missouri won 29 to 21. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Mizzou made mistakes, there’s no denying it. But when it really counted, the Tigers looked the part and showed they belong in the SEC championship hunt in the national spotlight.
After a back and forth contest, the Tigers were locked into a tight 16-13 score in the fourth quarter when back to back touchdown passes from Mauk– on a pair of brilliant throws– put Mizzou ahead for good.
Even if the Tigers did what they could to keep Tennessee in the game (like miss two extra points, or get three pre-snap offensive penalties in a row at one point), Tennessee failed to take advantage. And Missouri put itself within one win of advancing to its second straight SEC Championship game.
Missouri came into the game on a four game winning streak and looking to prove itself worthy to the College Football Committee and to the nation, as a two-loss SEC team that can’t seem to shake it’s tough loss to Indiana, regardless of who they beat or how they beat them.
Enter Tennessee, deemed one of the nation’s best 5-5 teams, who welcomed the Tigers to Knoxville as 4-point home favorites in a chilly Saturday evening at Neyland Stadium. With the win, Missouri claimed a school record 10th consecutive road game, and held on to the SEC East division lead. The Tigers find themselves in familiar territory, heading into the final game of the season where a win will clinch the division. The exact same scenario they faced in the 2013 finale against Texas A&M.
Nov 22, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Cameron Sutton (23) and Missouri Tigers tight end Kendall Blanton (11) battle for a pass during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Missouri won 29 to 21. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Missouri used spectacular offensive plays to help it win the game late, but it was the defense that was the difference maker. Defensive Ends Shane Ray and Markus Golden– with the spot light planted squarly on them on National T.V. all night– were absolute terrors, punishing Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs and his running backs and forcing 6 sacks.
The Tigers took an impressive opening drive to the endzone for a quick 7-0 lead. On that drive, Marcus Murphy scored one of his two rushing touchdowns on a 7-yard scamper following a pair of passes from Mauk to get them deep into the Tennessee zone.
But from then on, Tennessee was able to hang in the game, thanks to some smooth plays from its QB and a plethora of big stops on defense.
Missouri gave the Vols help with bad discipline, jumping off sides again and again throughout the game. If there’s one thing Missouri has to do, it’s work on limited false-starts, illegal shifts and delay of game penalties.
But Missouri overcame it all in the fourth. Tennessee watched its own impressive drive stall out by a timely interception from Missouri inside their own redzone. The Tigers made them pay with a 73-yard strike from Mauk to Jimmi Hunt to put them up 10 with just under 10 minutes to play.
South Bound & Down
Following a quick defensive stop, Missouri took over and scored again as Mauk connected with Bud Sasser on an incredible catch on the sideline in the endzone, putting MU up 29-13.
The Volunteers made the game interesting with swift drive and score– and a converted two point conversion. But after a couple of attempts at the onside kick that saw a pair of penalties and official reviews, Missouri maintained the ball and the game.
Mauk finished with 230 yards passing and two touchdowns and had a commendable 31 yards rushing on 9 carries of his own. This game no doubt showed he has the talent to lead the Tigers to victory.
On Black Friday, Missouri returns home to take on Arkansas in what will be the ultimate deciding factor in the SEC East race. A win and they’re in. A loss and they’ll have to sit at home and watch as Georgia gets to play for the SEC title.
Nov 22, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Maty Mauk (7) signals from the one against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Missouri won 29-21. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports