Columbia, SC - In a College Football Playoff eliminator, the No. 23 Missouri Tigers (7-3) had their hopes gashed in a 34-30 loss at the hands of the No. 21 South Carolina Gamecocks (7-3).
After Mizzou's defense came up with a massive three-and-out, Brady Cook and the offense got an opportunity with 10:53 remaining in the fourth, trailing 21-15 at the time. Behind excellent offensive line play, the Tigers offense drove down the field and Nate Noel ran in a 2-yard touchdown to take a 22-21 lead with 9:12 on the clock.
On the ensuing possession it appeared that Mizzou might get off the field with another three-and-out, but LaNorris Sellers made Johnny Walker pay for missing a tackle. Just three plays later, Sellers found Michael Smith for his fourth passing touchdown of the night, taking a 27-22 lead with just 5:04 in the game.
With the game on the line, Cook found Luther Burden for a 37-yard touchdown, executed to perfection. Attempting to make it a three point game with 1:10 remaining, Mizzou went with a direct snap to Jamal Roberts, who found the end zone giving the Tigers a 30-27 advantage.
It turned out that 70 second was too much time, as Sellers led a beautiful drive down the field. Raheim Sanders took a shovel pass 15-yards into the end zone for a touchdown, giving the Gamecocks a 34-30 lead with just 15 seconds remaining.
The Tigers started the game with a productive drive, but faltered in the red zone, having to settle for a 38-yard Blake Craig field goal, giving them a 3-0 lead after exactly 5 minutes into the game.
The Gamecocks wasted no time responding, with the Tigers blowing multiple coverages on the drive. This included leaving Nyck Harbor wide open for a 26-yard touchdown reception, giving South Carolina a 7-3 lead with 7:27 to play in the opening quarter.
Mizzou responded with yet another established possession where they ended up stalling out in the red zone, settling for another Craig field goal. This cut the deficit to 7-6, but that was as close as the Tigers would get.
It was Mizzou's defense who made a big play with Dreyden Norwood coming away with an interception to set the Tigers up at the Cocks 30 yard line. However, the offense moved backwards two yards on three plays, and on the ensuing kick Craig missed a 49-yard field goal, giving South Carolina all the momentum.
With time winding in the first half, Mizzou had a collapse, giving up two touchdowns in the last two minites of the first half. LaNorris Sellers capped off a three touchdown half finding Joshua Simon and Jared Brown, giving the Gamecocks a 21-6 halftime lead.
The defensive line of Missouri did all they could to stay in the game, coming up with a big stand on South Carolina's opening possession of the second half.
When the Tigers got their opportunity, they took advantage, driving 66-yards down the field. Marcus Carroll capped off the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run, but when Cook attempted the two-point conversion he was stuffed, keeping the score at 21-12.
The Gamecocks got the ball back and after picking up a first down via penalty, Mizzou stuffed a fourth-and-1 rush by Sellers. This gave the Tigers the ball back with great field position.
Mizzou didn't use the field position to the best of its ability, however, moving the ball into the red zone, but once again settling for a field goal and cutting the deficit to 21-15. The lack of red zone efficiency killed the Tigers, scoring a touchdown on just one of their first four trips.