Live Blog for Mizzou's Showdown with Mississippi State

COLUMBIA, Mo. — On a big night at Faurot Field, Missouri took on Mississippi State. Just as they have approached every game this year, the Tigers sought a win. They may have wanted to win this game more than others, though, due to the gravity of the night.

Mississippi State represented a conference foe, and it was not only Missouri’s final home game of the season but also senior night. The emotions and confidence were high, and the resolve was higher as the Tigers captured a 49-27 win.

One player who needed to step up for the Tigers was freshman quarterback Matt Zollers. He struggled against Texas A&M in Week 11, throwing for just 77 yards. He looked better against the Bulldogs, recording 112 passing yards and two passing touchdowns.

His improvement was evident from the jump, as he guided the Tigers to a hot start. They scored two touchdowns in the first quarter en route to a 14-10 lead. The first was an encouraging pass to fellow freshman Donovan Olugbode, who made an impressive grab in the corner of the endzone for a 7-0 lead, and the second was a 34-yard throw to Joshua Manning for a 14-3 lead.

Zollers continued to string together smooth drives, appearing sharp and composed. His one big mistake occurred in the second quarter when he tossed an interception, but it wasn’t costly.

Following Zollers’ interception, a comedy of errors that somehow worked out in Missouri’s favor unfolded. Missouri’s defense picked up three flags to keep what felt like the world’s longest drive going.

Santana Banner picked up an unnecessary roughness, Trotter targeted, and Stephen Hall was called for a questionable face mask. The third flag sent Faurot Field into a frenzy, but angry jabs at the referees soon turned into joyous cheers.

The Tigers’ defense displayed incredible grit on the penalty-filled drive, forcing Mississippi State to try a field goal. The Bulldogs mishandled the snap, resulting in a fumble recovered by Missouri cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. He returned it to Missouri’s 23-yard line, leading to a touchdown six plays later.

That pretty much sums up the story of the game: whenever the Tigers looked as if they were in trouble, they would find a response.

Flags certainly caused Missouri problems, as the Tigers had two players ejected in the first half. Defensive end Nate Johnson was ejected for targeting before linebacker Josiah Trotter was thrown out for the same offense.

The first quarter also featured a holding call on Daylan Carnell on third-and-7 that led to Mississippi State’s lone touchdown of the first half. Missouri ended the night with 11 flags for 74 yards compared to the Bulldogs’ seven for 45.

The Tigers also turned the ball over twice. In addition to the interception by Zollers, Hardy coughed up the rock in the third. That led to Mississippi State cutting the lead to 21-17.

Despite the flags and turnovers, Missouri looked undeterred.

The Tigers saw a bit of everything, from Ahmad Hardy scoring three touchdowns and recording 300 yards, to the defense producing two pick sixes. The first defensive score came from Pride in the third, and the second came from Marvin Burks Jr. in the fourth.

Aside from putting points on the board, the defense held things down. The two picks sixes were huge, and Mississippi State soon faced an insurmountable deficit.

The Tigers hit the road to take on No. 12 Oklahoma at 11 a.m. on Nov. 22 in Norman, Oklahoma.

Follow along with this blog for updates and analysis. Newest updates will be posted at the top.

Live Photo Gallery of Mizzou Football vs Mississippi State

Live updates

Full game stats

Fourth quarter

Mississippi State's Kyle Ferrie tacks on a field goal from 41 yards out to make the score 49-27. The Tigers retake the field on offense with just under five minutes to play.

Hardy's touchdown was his third of the night, and he currently has 268 rushing yards.

Hardy with a 43-yard score to give the Tigers a 49-24 lead. Things are officially out of hand at Faurot, and with 11:11 remaining, this game is over.

In another thrilling play, Marvin Burks Jr. logs a pick six. His first interception of the season puts Missouri in front 42-24.

Third quarter

Mississippi State responds, trailing 35-24 after a 3-yard reception by Seydou Traore. Missouri then punts, and the game feels more open.

Toriano Pride Jr. comes up big on defense again, grabbing a crazy interception that he takes the other way. Missouri is beginning to run away with it, leading 35-17.

The pace of the game slows with back-to-back punts. Hardy has other ideas, scoring off an explosive 72-yard run. Missouri stretches the lead to 28-17.

Mississippi State quarterback Blake Shapen with another rushing touchdown. His score brings the Bulldogs closer —21-17 Missouri.

Missouri opens the half with a fumble- not a good start. It's Hardy who loses the ball for Missouri's second turnover of the night.

First half stats

Stats for the first half of Missouri against Mississippi State. | Stat Broadcast

Second quarter

Another flag knocks Missouri back as the Tigers are preparing to take a field goal. Sophomore Oliver Robbins comes out for the 54-yard try, but the ball hits the post. Missouri carries a 21-10 lead into halftime.

Hardy pounds his way into the endzone; the Tigers lead 21-10.

In a turn of events, the Tigers hold strong. They force Mississippi State to attempt a field goal, but even that doesn't go right for the Bulldogs. In a wild sequence of events, the holder fumbles the ball, and Missouri's Toriano Pride Jr. picks it up. He bolts ahead, making it to Missouri's 23-yard line.

The Tigers get their third penalty of the drive. A face mask on Stephen Hall gets Faurot Field going. Boos ring across the field, and fans are definitely not happy.

Flags are becoming a problem again. Santana Banner is called for unnecessary roughness, and then Missouri's leading tackler, Josiah Trotter, is ejected for targeting.

Zollers makes his first bad mistake, tossing an interception to Mississippi State's Nic Mitchell. The Tigers are looking for a big response from the defense.

Running back Jamal Roberts with his first touch of the game. He breaks loose for 19 yards before crashing into some chairs on Missouri's sideline.

First quarter

Bulldogs with the biggest play of the night so far. They notch a 54-yard run to advance to Missouri's 20-yard line. After another Missouri flag on safety Daylan Carnell, Mississippi State goes on to score and cut the lead to 14-10.

Joshua Manning with a 34-yard touchdown reception, and it's safe to say Zollers has found a rhythm early. The Tigers are firing on offense, holding a 14-3 lead with 4:52 remaining in the first.

Home-field advantage is coming into play, as Mississippi State picks up back-to-back false starts. The penalties ultimately lead to a third-and-12, which the Bulldogs fail to convert. They kick a field goal, drilling a 47-yarder to trail 7-3.

Immediately after the face mask comes a roughing the passer with targeting. Nate Johnson has been ejected, and the Bulldogs may have some momentum on their side.

The Tigers have had a tendency to pick up penalties in bad situations, extending drives. That just happened with a face mask on Damon Wilson II on third-and-10.

Following a big run from Ahmad Hardy, the Tigers find some life. Zollers airs a beautiful 26-yard strike to freshman receiver Donovan Olugbode, who continues to make big plays. 7-0 Tigers.

The Tigers' defense comes up with a three-and-out, and freshman Zollers will take the field for the Tigers. How he starts the game will be important and could set the tone.

Missouri wins the coin toss and defers. Mississippi State will go with quarterback Blake Shapen right now.

Pre game

It's Missouri's 20th consecutive sellout, a school record. The Tigers have sold out their home games for the past three years.

Kickoff was slightly adjusted.

Mississippi State at #Mizzou will kick off at 6:55, per the in-stadium clock
— Joey Van Zummeren (@JoeyVZ_) November 16, 2025

Quarterback Beau Pribula is warming up on the field, but he is out.

#Mizzou QB Beau Pribula, listed as doubtful on the availability report, is tossing the ball in warm up clothes. pic.twitter.com/ScBIrftkgK
— Joey Van Zummeren (@JoeyVZ_) November 15, 2025

Injuries

Missouri

QB Beau Pribula — OUT (Ankle, TBD)
QB Sam Horn — OUT (Tibia, season)
K Blake Craig — OUT (ACL, season)
DE Langden Kitchen— OUT

Mississippi State

S Isaac Smith — OUT
CB Jett Jefferson — OUT
DL Will Whitson — OUT
OL Brennan Smith — OUT
OL Blake Steen — OUT

Officiating Crew

Referee: Lee Hendrick
Umpire: John Short
Head Line: Christopher Hess
Center Judge: Brian Davis
Line Judge: Chris Snuggs
Field Judge: Scotty Melancon
Side Judge: Jonathan Bullock
Back Judge: Brett Toney
Replay Official: Brian Brown
Communicator: Marc Gervais

How to Watch: Missouri Tigers vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Who: No. 22 Missouri Tigers (6-3, 2-3 SEC) vs. Mississippi State (5-5, 1-5)

What: Week 12 of the College Football season

Where: Faurot Field (621,621), Columbia, Missouri

When: Saturday, November 15, 6:45 p.m.

TV: SEC Network

Radio: Tiger Radio Network: (Play-by-play Mike Kelly, Analyst Howard Richards, Sideline Chris Gervino)

SiriusXM: Home 190, Away 374

Series: Sixth meeting between the two teams. Missouri is 3-2 in the series. In 2024, the Tigers defeated the Bulldogs 39-20.