Truman's Tales
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Here are the top-10 opening games for Mizzou football

By Thomas Huitt-Johnson

COLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 01: Defensive back Andrew Horton-Martindale #21 of the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks breaks up a pass intended for tight end Albert Okwuegbunam #81 of the Missouri Tigers during the game at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 01: Defensive back Andrew Horton-Martindale #21 of the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks breaks up a pass intended for tight end Albert Okwuegbunam #81 of the Missouri Tigers during the game at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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No. 1 — 1975

Missouri 20, No. 2 Alabama 7

Missouri played a lot of good teams this season. No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 3 Nebraska, and the Tigers defeated No. 2 Alabama.

To kick off the season, the Tigers went down to Birmingham to play a team that hadn’t lost a regular-season game in two years. But that’s what happened on that Monday night to open the season.

Tigers running back Tony Galbreath finished with 120 yards on 32 carries to lead the Tigers to victory. On the other side, Missouri held the Tide to just 31 yards rushing and only 118 yards total in the game.

Missouri led 20-0 at halftime, scoring on four of its five possessions, while Alabama was shut out. The Tide scored in the final quarter to avoid the 20-0 embarrassment.

Like what happened to USC years earlier, the Mizzou opening-game loss was the only one for Alabama. The Tide won the Sugar Bowl over Penn State and finished No. 3.

Missouri’s tough schedule saw some faults, but the Tigers ended 6-5 and were ranked as high as No. 5 in the nation that season.

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