Live Blog: No. 23 Mizzou Opens SEC Play Against South Carolina

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The time to open SEC play has come for the Missouri Tigers, this time in the form of the South Carolina Gamecocks.

This was a matchup that did not end in favor of the Tigers last season, though it ended in an exciting finish. Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks should absolutely pose a challenge to Eli Drinkwitz and the Tigers in a variety of ways.

"It's a really big challenge in all three phases," Drinkwitz told the media on Tuesday. "Going to be a really big challenge for our team."

Catch the scenes from Saturday's game with our live photo gallery.

Quarterback LaNorris Sellers and wide receiver Nyck Harbor will be the biggest offensive threats to keep an eye on, but the defensive unit as a whole will be tough to go against. It's a different group than last year, but still a unit that is solid.

"I think (defensive coordinator) Clayton White does an unbelievable job," Drinkwtiz said. "They lost some guys last year, but when you watch the tape, you don't really notice it."

Below are live updates for Missouri's matchup against South Carolina, along with more important information regarding the game.

4th Quarter

Meyer may have just iced Missouri's win after a 40-yard field goal that was good without a doubt. The Tigers now lead 29-20 with 1:34 to play.

The Tigers have the ball facing first-and-10 at the two-minute warning. The Gamecocks have three timeouts left and the Tigers have two.

Pribula just barely missed Marquis Johnson on third-and-7, which would have been a massive conversion. The Tigers now sit at 7-of-12 on third-down conversions.

The Missouri pass rush has been a big help in getting the defense off the field. Zion Young, Chris McClellan and the rest of the defense have forced Sellers into some challenging throws.

Missouri has the ball back with 8:15 remaining, posting arguably its best defensive drive of the game so far. The Tigers also avoided the targeting ejection of safety Marvin Burks Jr.

Jamal Roberts puts the Tigers back in front after bouncing off multiple tackles for a 16-yard score. Pribula finally got Missouri into the end zone on a two-point conversion to put them up 26-20.

Pribula is up to 46 rushing yards on the night. That's been a positive aspect of the offense through three quarters and some change.

3rd Quarter

Sellers just threw a monster 35-yard bomb to Nyck Harbor. Following a timeout, William Joyce drilled a 37-yard field goal to regain the lead for the Gamecocks.

Per the broadcast team, Missouri cornerback Dreyden Norwood is in the medical tent. The status of his injury is unclear at the moment. Norwood is now back on the Missouri sideline.

Ahmad Hardy just bowling-balled his way into the endzone for a 5-yard score. The Tigers elected to go for two extra points and did not get it, but still hold onto a single-point lead.

Pribula was hit while going to the ground by cornerback Vicari Swain following a big run. A targeting was called, but was overturned.

South Carolina's defense made a statement to start the third quarter, forcing a quick three and out on Missouri's first offensive drive of the half.

2nd Quarter

Stats at halftime between Missouri and South Carolina. | Mizzou Athletics

A Khalil Jacobs sack on Sellers puts a nice end to the half for Missouri. The Tigers trail 14-12 with two quarters to play.

Meyer was forced into another field goal situation, this one from 22 yards out. He made it comfortably, but the Tigers still trail as the quarter comes to an end.

Sellers is starting to put on a show, connecting on three straight passes, the last of which was a 24-yard score to Brian Rowe Jr. Missouri's secondary is struggling mightily, at the moment.

The Tigers give the ball right back to South Carolina after Jalon Kilgore picked off Pribula. This was Pribula's second interception of the season.

South Carolina committed two false start penalties on its last offensive drive, a drive that ended with them punting out of the end zone. Faurot Field is loud.

Robert Meyer backs up his missed extra point from earlier in the game with a 23-yard field goal to give the Tigers a two-point lead.

Missouri tight end Jordon Harris went down after an awkward block, but was able to run off the field himself.

Tristan Wilson is in at right guard for the Tigers, replacing Curtis Peagler. The two rotated at the position in Week 3 against Louisiana.

The Gamecocks take the lead after Sellers finds wide receiver Vandrevius Jacobs on a 49-yard deep route. This isn't the first time the Tigers have had breakdowns in the secondary and Sellers clearly took advantage of that.

Joshua Manning and Pribula connect for the first touchdown of the game on an 8-yard score. Freshman kicker Robert Meyer followed that up with a missed extra point, only giving the Tigers a six-point lead.

1st Quarter

The Tigers are driving down the field to end the quarter, thanks to a 27-yard run from Ahmad Hardy and a 25-yard catch from tight end Brett Norfleet.

Missouri's secondary has now committed two pass interferences on its second defensive drive, extending South Carolina's second attempt at scoring.

Missouri's opening offensive drive comes to an end after Beau Pribula's pass to Xavier Loyd was broken up by Brandon Cisse.

South Carolina won the coin toss and elected to receive. The Tigers will start on defense.

Injury updates

Jayven Richardson was announced as the starting left tackle when the starting lineup was announced. Cayden Green was also seen walking around the field pregame in a boot.

Sept 20, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers left tackle Cayden Green exits the locker room in a boot ahead of the Missouri Tigers Week 4 matchup against South Carolina. | Amber Winkler/MissouriOnSI

South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers will play against the Tigers, per Matt Zenitz. He was removed from the injury report on Friday.

Missouri left tackle Cayden Green was a suprise on the injury report and will not play against South Carolina. He was added on Thursday and listed as probable, but a surprise switch will likely force Jayven Richardson into the starting left tackle spot.

Weather

Rain is no longer in the forecast for Saturday evening.

There's a slight chance for rain between 3 and 7 p.m., which could make a difference for Missouri's 6 p.m. kickoff.

Chances of rain and thunder forecasted for Columbia forecasted for tonight starting around 5 p.m. by the National Weather Service. #Mizzou-South Carolina is currently set to kickoff at 6 p.m. pic.twitter.com/YZagIsKyrc
— Joey Van Zummeren (@JoeyVZ_) September 20, 2025

Recruiting

Adkinson and Chronister were seen with head coach Dennis Gates on the field before kickoff.

#Mizzou head coach Dennis Gates is here with 4-star 2026 F Aidan Chronister and 4-star 2027 CG commit Scottie Adkinson. pic.twitter.com/l6gFsseP41
— Michael Stamps (@msstamps7) September 20, 2025

The Tigers have a long list of visitors for both football and basketball on Saturday, including 4-star wing Aidan Chronister and 4-star WR commit Jabari Brady.

Confirmed football visitors:

JUCO CB Jayden Swanson
4-star 2026 OT Johnnie Jones
3-star 2026 DL Brysen Wessell
3-star 2026 Baylor DT commit Jae'Lin Battle
3-star 2026 Mississippi State EDGE commit Micah Nickerson
3-star 2026 Missouri IOL commit Braylon Ellison
4-star 2027 TE Jack Brown

Confirmed basketball visitors:

4-star 2026 SF Aidan Chronister
4-star 2027 CG commit Scottie Adkinson

How to Watch: South Carolina at Missouri

Who: Missouri (3-0, 0-0 SEC) vs. South Carolina (2-1, 0-1 SEC)

What: Week 4 of the college football season

When: Saturday, Sept. 20, 6 p.m.

Where: Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium

TV: ESPN

Radio: Tiger Radio Network (Play-By-Play: Mike Kelly, Color: Howard Richards, Sideline: Chris Gervino)

Series: Missouri leads 9-6