So, so close: Missouri Tigers take top-ranked Georgia to the wire before falling 26-22
For more than 3 1/2 quarters, Missouri led the nation’s top-ranked team. But the Tigers couldn’t complete what would have been an historic first and fell to Georgia 26-22 at Faurot Field Saturday night.
In 16 previous tries, the Tigers had never defeated a top-ranked team. But a terrific performance by their defense in the game’s early stages, and the productive leg of placekicker Harrison Mevis, gave Mizzou a realistic vision of a season-changing outcome as the evening progressed.
Instead, it’s another heartbreaking loss that comes a week after the Tigers fell at Auburn by missing a chip-shot field goal and fumbling into the end zone just before scoring the game-winning touchdown.
Any notion that Missouri would be deflated by that setback was quickly dispelled Saturday night. Missouri led 13-0 in the second quarter, the first time this season that Georgia had trailed.
Georgia didn’t take the lead until Diajun Edwards scored from the 1 with 4:03 remaining in the game.
Mevis connected on field goals from 41, 49, 22, 51 and 55 yards. His longest kicks were Missouri’s only points of the second half.
The Tigers fell to 2-3, 0-2 in the SEC. They head to Florida next week with an 11 a.m. kickoff. next Saturday.
Missouri’s defense set the tone
A ferocious start by the Tigers’ defense kept Georgia off-balance throughout the first half.
Georgia’s first five possessions ended in three punts and two fumbles, and Missouri cashed in on one.
Milton opened the Bulldogs’ second series with a big gain, but Missouri linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper jarred the ball loose from behind and cornerback Ennis Rakestraw recovered at the Georgia 46.
The Tigers couldn’t take advantage of the good field position. The ball popped loose again on a bad QB/running back exchange (Mizzou’s Daylan Carnell was in the right place for the recovery at the Georgia 36).
The Tigers’ drive ended with the second of Mevis’ three first-half field goals to extend the lead to 13-0.
Mevis’ first kick, from 41 yards in the first quarter. opened the scoring and meant Georgia trailed for the first time this season.
Mizzou’s touchdown
It was a well-executed play that broke open tight end Tyler Stephens.
MU quarterback Brady Cook feathered a pass to the 6-6 Stephens, who was left alone when a defender believed he was blocking on the play. The 6-yard strike was the only touchdown of the first half.
The Tigers lost an opportunity for a second touchdown after Cody Schrader broke loose on a perfectly blocked 69-yard run. He was caught on the 1.
When Missouri tried to go tempo on the next play, a false start was called and the Tigers settled for a field goal.
Defeating national champions
Missouri has accomplished this feat — toppling the reigning champ — twice in its history.
Mizzou opened the 1978 season by defeating Notre Dame 3-0. The Tigers’ other victory over a defending champion? Two years ago, Missouri beat LSU 45-41 in Drinkwitz’s first victory at Missouri’s coach.
The Tigers came close to making it three wins over defending champs on Saturday.
Powered by the past
The Tigers had some old-school karma working for them Saturday night.
Former Mizzou coach Gary Pinkel was honored on the field during the first timeout — he’s been elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, and his name was added this weekend to the Faurot Field brick wall of honor.
Former Mizzou quarterback Brad Smith and tight end Chase Coffman pulled back the cover to reveal Pinkel’s name. The other Mizzou coaches on the wall: Don Faurot and Dan Devine.
