No. 14 Mizzou Drops First Game of the Season Against No. 8 Alabama

COLUMBIA, Mo. — No. 14 Missouri hosted No. 8 Alabama in a huge matchup with potential playoff implications. In a close contest, the Tigers fell 27-24 on Saturday.

With just under 8 minutes to play, Missouri made a gutsy decision. The Tigers faked a punt, snapping the ball directly to running back Jamal Roberts. Roberts secured it, charging ahead to try and achieve the long 4 yards his team needed.

He was just a yard shy, resulting in a turnover on downs. It appeared to be a killer. Alabama had just missed a field goal, keeping Missouri in the game. The Tigers trailed 20-17, and that was their chance to pull off some trickery and try to tie or reclaim the lead.

Who knows what would have happened if it had worked? But it didn’t. The missed opportunity instead gave Alabama the ball on Missouri’s 40-yard line. Eight plays later, Alabama extended its lead to 27-17.

It seemed all but over, but Missouri had to go out in style.

The Tigers marched down the field, and freshman Donovan Olugbode capped off the drive with a touchdown. Trailing 27-24 with 1:39 remaining, Missouri lined up for the onside kick. Alabama recovered it, forcing the Tigers’ defense into its most high-pressure situation of the game.

The defense was up for the challenge. It secured the three-and-out, giving its offense just 1:17 to go down and try to get, at the very least, a field goal.

On a must-have fourth-and-6, it was Olugbode who hauled it in. The true freshman came up huge in a huge moment, but three plays later, it was over. Quarterback Beau Pribula threw an interception, his second of the day, and Missouri went on to lose.

It was probably the biggest game of his career, and the gravity of the moment showed for Pribula. He made a series of mistakes, including throwing two interceptions and a couple of questionable passes.

Despite his blunders, he showed flashes of talent at times. He ran in a touchdown in the third quarter to tie the game 17-17.

Ultimately, Pribula's numbers weren’t bad, as he ended the game with 167 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Numbers don’t always reveal the whole story, and Pribula did look overwhelmed. It was a huge game for the Penn State transfer, and it showed.

The Tigers as a whole looked overwhelmed at times, particularly early on. From starting safety Marvin Burks Jr. being ejected for targeting to struggling with ball control, the Tigers looked like they were all over the place.

In the second quarter, Missouri played a very messy offensive drive. Pribula lobbed a dangerous pass that the Tide nearly intercepted, and then on third down, the defense sacked Pribula to end the drive.

Another drive ended poorly in that same frame. With Hardy on the sidelines during a third down, the Tigers trusted their quarterback to run. Pribula dashed forward, coughing up the ball after being hit.

Luckily for the Tigers, tight end Brett Norfleet lunged for the loose ball, recovering it. It was a close call, as a lost fumble would have given Alabama possession on Missouri's 27-yard line.

Missouri fumbled a second time with 1:43 left in the second but caught a lucky break when the ball rolled out of bounds. The Tigers weren’t so lucky when Pribula chucked two interceptions in the fourth quarter.

When you’re playing Alabama, any mistake is a bad one. Ultimately, the mistakes were Missouri's downfall.

Missouri next faces Auburn in its first road game. Kickoff is slated for 6:00 or 6:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, in Auburn, Ala.

Live Photo Gallery: No. 14 Mizzou Football vs No. 8 Alabama in Week 7

Game stats

Fourth quarter

Pribula throws an interception, and that will do it.

In Missouri's last-ditch effort on fourth-and-6, Olugbode comes up huge again. Pribula aired a 25-yard dart to the freshman. The Tigers are still alive.

The Tigers accomplish the three-and-out, and Missouri's offense has 1:17 left to make something happen. The biggest sequence of the season is right here.

Missouri attempted an onside kick, but Alabama recovered. The Tigers would love a three-and-out here.

Olugbode does it himself, scoring the touchdown in the back of the endzone. He was wide open, and the score brings Missouri within 3 of the lead.

In a bizarre play, freshman Olugbode snagged an impressive ball. The play put Missouri deep in Alabama territory. Missouri is eyeing a touchdown with not much time to play.

On fourth-and-1, Alabama tacks a touchdown to its lead. The Tide are ahead 27-17 after a touchdown reception by Daniel Hill.

Alabama attempts a fourth-and-8, converting it after a highly contested catch by Lotzier Brooks. That was the Tide's longest play of the game, and they are in Missouri's red zone.

The Tigers show some guts by faking the punt. A direct snap to Roberts didn't work, as it was a turnover on downs. Alabama takes over on Missouri's 40-yard line.

Missouri's defense holds strong yet again to force another Alabama field goal attempt. Kicker Conor Talty missed the 49-yard try, keeping Missouri within striking range.

Alabama's Jam Miller just went into the locker room.

Defensive tackle Sterling Webb went down, but he was helped off the field pretty quickly.

Alabama defensive back Bray Hubbard picks off Pribula. Missouri's defense needs to come up big, as the Tigers still trail by 3 points.

Third quarter

The overturned score turned out to be significant. The Tide failed to convert on third down and kicked a field goal. Alabama is ahead 20-17.

The Tide drove down the field and looked like they reclaimed the lead. Alabama, after a 1-yard rush by Miller, scored a touchdown to lead 24-17. It was reviewed and overturned.

Alabama puts together a strong punt return, but a penalty brings it back. The Tide are on offense with a tied game.

Missouri is back in business. Pribula punches it in himself, making up for his earlier mistakes, to tie the game 17-17.

The Tigers come up with a huge play to open the second half. Defensive end Zion Young forced a fumble after Alabama's Ty Simpson was sacked. Wilson recovered it for the Tigers, setting Missouri up at the Alabama 19-yard line.

First half stats

Second quarter

The Tigers are denied a touchdown, which is a bit of a killer, but they manage to put 3 points on the board. With 3 seconds left, the freshman kicker Robert Meyer drills a 35-yarder. Halftime score: 17-10 Alabama.

Missouri loses the ball again, but it went out of bounds. Facing a fourth-and-1, Missouri gave the ball to Roberts, who converted. This feels like a drive that the Tigers need to score on.

Kevin Coleman Jr. is back in the game for the Tigers. On another positive note, Roberts picks up a huge gain for the Tigers. It's a 39-yard rush.

With running back Ahmad Hardy out on third down, the Tigers elected to run a quarterback keep. Pribula scurried ahead, losing the ball. Norfleet leaped on it, but the fumble would have given Alabama possession on Missouri's 27-yard line. Missouri punts, and the offense seems to have died out.

Coleman is out of the tent and was spotted on the bike. The injury is to his right ankle, but the severity is unknown.

Linebacker Khalil Jacobs with a big sack to force the Tide to try a field goal. The kick is perfect, and Alabama leads 17-7.

Missouri's Coleman is in the medical tent. He limped off the field after taking a jet sweep.

On what felt like a big third down for Alabama, the Tide converted. Simpson found some open grass and broke loose. Alabama threatens to extend its lead.

Pribula dangerously close to being intercepted. If the Alabama defender had held on, it would've been an easy turnover. It's another questionable decision from the Missouri quarterback.

Another Alabama player, defensive lineman Kelby Collins, was momentarily down. He got up and appears to be ok.

With the Missouri offense back on the field, the response will be critical. Pribula narrowly evades a disastrous sack, using his legs to turn the play into an 8-yard gain. It's an encouraging start for Missouri.

Time will tell if the ejection proves to be a momentum swing, but it's looking like it might be. Tide with a touchdown early in the second (14:41). They take their first lead, 14-7.

First quarter

A scary sight for the Tide, as wide receiver Derek Meadows is down. He took a big hit from Missouri's Burks. The targeting call means Burks is ejected. Alabama staff helped Meadows off the field; no cart was needed.

After a quick score, Missouri punts on its next drive. The Tide forced the Tigers into a three-and-out. On third down, receiver Marquis Johnson was wide open for Missouri, but Pribula missed him. The quarterback's bad miss may prove to be big.

The Tide tie it up off a short pass to Miller. The game is tied 7-7, and it's looking like it could be a shootout.

Again, Missouri picks up another bad penalty. The defense held Alabama on third down, but the flag prolonged the drive.

The Tigers' defense had two great plays before picking up a costly penalty. Young was called for unsportsmanlike conduct, an unacceptable mistake. What would have been a third-and-10 turned into a first down for the Tide.

Missouri making it look easy; the Tigers score a quick touchdown with 12:10 on the clock. The score was sealed by an impressive grab by Norfleet. Missouri leads 7-0.

It's early, but the Tigers are establishing a strong presence on the ground. Pribula with a nice 23-yard run.

Alabama won the toss and elected to defer. Missouri will begin on offense.

Pregame

Today's officials include referee Jason Autrey, umpire Jason Yates, head line Ryan Hagan, center judge Chris Snead, line judge Colin Gaynor, field judge Phillip Davenport, side judge Ryan Flynn, back judge Peter Buchanan, replay official Ken Switzer, and communicator Jamie Williams.

High school athletes in attendance include 4-Star DT Tajh Overton (Oklahoma State commit), 4-Star DT Emanuel Ruffin (Colorado commit), 4-Star LB JJ Bush (Missouri commit), 4-Star RB TJ Hodges (Missouri commit), 4-Star IOL Khalief Canty (Missouri commit), and 4-Star IOL Brandon Anderson (Missouri commit).

NFL scouts in attendance include Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes and affiliates with the Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots (2), Miami Dolphins, and Las Vegas Raiders.

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is wearing his typical black sweatshirt that he is 12-2 in.

#Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer is indeed sporting the “black hoodie of death” at #Mizzou today pic.twitter.com/ijpknju1Zd
— Joey Van Zummeren (@JoeyVZ_) October 11, 2025

Injuries

Missouri

QB, Sam Horn- OUT (leg, season)
K, Blake Craig- OUT (ACL, season)
OG, Logan Reichert - OUT (lower-body, 1-3 weeks)
OT, Cayden Green - Active

Alabama

LB, Jah-Marien Latham- OUT (neck, season)
LB, Qua Russaw- OUT (foot, indefinitely)
DT, Jeremiah Beaman- OUT (knee, season)
LB, Cayden Jones- OUT
WR, Jaylen Mbakwe- OUT
WR, Ryan Williams- PROBABLE

How to Watch: No. 14 Missouri Tigers vs. No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide

Who: No. 14 Missouri Tigers (5-0, 1-0 SEC) vs. No. 8 Alabama (4-1, 2-0)

What: Week 7 of the College Football season

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

When: Saturday, October 11, 11 a.m.

TV: ABC

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

SiriusXM: Home 84, Away 191