Missouri Tigers Run Out of Gas Against Georgia, Bulldogs Win 26-22: Live Game Updates
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The Missouri Tigers will face one of their tougher challenges this season hosting the defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs tonight. The Tigers are still feeling the sting from their overtime loss at Auburn, but have a chance to make some progress here, even if they don't upset the top ranked Dawgs.
Mizzou's biggest struggle so far has been scoring. In their two games against Power 5 competition, the Tigers only have three touchdowns, one of which was a garbage time score as time expired in their 40-12 loss at Kansas State. Georgia's defense is elite again, but if Mizzou can put up a solid offensive performance, they'll have something to smile about.
Defensively, the Tigers have been a bit better. Last week, they held Auburn scoreless for the final three quarters of regulation to help force overtime. Their secondary will be tested today against Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett, who's one of the best passers in the country this year.
Georgia's won all of their games by 17 or more points and the Bulldogs are currently favored by 29 points over the Tigers. Needless to say, Mizzou winning here would be a massive upset. This season's been full of them though, so don't count out head coach Eliah Drinkwitz and this squad just yet.
It'll be a tall task to win, but there's room for moral victory as well. Missouri desperately needs to find some kind of chemistry on offense. If their defense can hold the Bulldogs and come up with some turnovers in key spots, they'll have a lot to work with going forward.
Follow along here at MizzouSportsTalk.com for live game updates from tonight's matchup.
Live updates will appear here after kick off...
END FIRST QUARTER: Missouri 3, Georgia 0
-Kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. (CT)
- Georgia will receive the opening kick off and start their drive at their own 25-yard line.
-Missouri's defense gets a huge stop on their first drive as the Bulldogs go three-and-out. Trajan Jeffcoat gets a big third down sack to shut it down.
-Tigers go three-and-out on their first drive. Georgia will start at their own 12-yard line.
-Georgia RB Kendall Milton breaks a big run but gets the ball punched out by Ty'Ron Hopper. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. recovers and the Tigers get it back at midfield.
-Another three-and-out from a stagnant Tigers offense leads to the punt. Bulldogs take over at their own 9-yard line.
-Georgia goes three-and-out after a great stand by the Tigers defense. Luther Burden returns the punt 6 yards and Mizzou will start just on their side of midfield.
-Missouri pushes the ball down the field, thanks in large part to a big completion from Cook to Dominic Lovett
-Harrison Mevis hits the 42-yard FG and the Tigers take the first lead of the game. Missouri 3, Georgia 0 (Q1 4:11)
-Missouri takes over at their 19-yard line after stopping the Bulldogs at midfield and forcing the punt.
-Tigers offense gets a first down to start their drive. They'll have the ball to start Q2 after a dominant defensive quarter. Mizzou's held Georgia to just 49 yards so far.
END SECOND QUARTER: Missouri 16, Georgia 6
-Another huge completion from Cook to Lovett and then a pass interference call puts the Tigers in the red zone.
-Tight end Tyler Stephens makes a one handed catch in the end zone and puts the Tigers up two scores. Missouri 10, Georgia 0. (Q2 12:48)
-Missouri's defense is all over the Bulldogs. Stetson Bennett fumbles and it's recovered by Daylan Carnell. The Tigers take over at the Georgia 36-yard line.
-The Tiger offense stalls a bit, but they stay in range and Harrison Mevis nails the 49-yard FG. Missouri 13, Georgia 0
-Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers makes a 33-yard catch to get the Georgia drive going. They're near the red zone.
- The Georgia drive stops there and they're forced to kick a FG. It's Missouri 13, Georgia 3.
-Tigers RB Cody Schrader tears off a 63-yard run and Mizzou is inside the ten yard line.
- Mizzou can't overcome the costly false start at the 1-yard line and end up settling for the FG. Missouri 16, Georgia 3. (Q2 3:16).
-Georgia fakes a field goal on fourth down and converts. They're in the red zone with under a minute to play.
-Bulldogs drive 58 yards but are forced to settle for a 35-yard FG to end the half. Missouri 16, Georgia 6. Halftime.
HALFTIME
Missouri's defense has been playing light out. They've held Georgia to just 182 yards and no touchdowns. The Tigers front seven is winning the battle in the trenches and Mizzou's secondary has blanketed the Bulldogs' receivers.
Offensively, Mizzou looks better than they have all season. Quarterback Brady Cook has been letting it fly early. He's got 129 yards through the air and a touchdown. What's more is that it looks like Luther Burden is getting more involved so far, and that always bodes well for the Tiger offense. They're up two scores now, but the Tigers are going to need more points if they want to complete this upset.
THIRD QUARTER: Missouri 19, Georgia 12
-Mizzou gets the ball to start Q3.
-Tigers go three-and-out to start the half and the Bulldogs take over at their own 24-yard line after the Tigers punt.
-Georgia's had the ball for almost the entire third quarter and they're in the red zone.
-After a 54-yard drive, Georgia is forced to kick another FG. Missouri 16, Georgia 9 (Q3 5:54).
-Cook unleashes a 45-yard bomb to Mookie Cooper, who makes an incredible contested catch, and they're deep into Bulldogs territory.
-Mevis is 4-for-4 after that 53-yard FG to put Mizzou up two scores. Missouri 19, Georgia 9 (Q3 4:31).
-Georgia comes right back down the field into the red zone after a 55-yard drive but they're held to a FG again by this staunch Tiger defense. Missouri 19, Georgia 12 (Q3 2:16).
-Nathaniel Peat with a huge run to put the Tigers Into Georgia territory.
END FOURTH QUARTER: Georgia 26, Missouri 22
-Mizzou will start with the ball to begin Q4.
-Missouri's offense gets into FG range for Mevis, who blasts a 55-yarder through the uprights. He's 5-for-5 in this one. It's Missouri 22, Georgia 12. (Q4 14:09).
-Georgia keeps moving the ball down the field. They're just across midfield early in the fourth quarter.
-The Bulldogs are inside the 10-yard line threatening to make it a one score game. It's third-and-one.
-Georgia converts on fourth-and-1 on a sweep. Now they'll have first-and-goal inside the five yard line.
-Georgia RB Kendall Milton punches it in and it's a three-point game. Missouri 22, Georgia 19 (Q4 9:39).
-Missouri is moving the ball down the field through the air, but penalties are stalling the drive.
-Tigers are forced to punt from about midfield with just over seven minutes left in the game.
-Bennett and the Bulldogs drive it down the field with the passing game. They're in the red zone again.
-Georgia scores on a 1-yard run from Edwards. The drive goes 68 yards and gives the Bulldogs their first lead of the game. Georgia 26, Missouri 22 (Q4 4:03).
-A very quick three-and-out leads to a Mizzou punt. They'll need a stop to stay in the game now. (Q4 3:41).
-Missouri's defense can't hold Georgia on their final drive and the Bulldogs will run out the clock. Georgia 26, Missouri 22- Final.
FINAL: Georgia 26, Missouri 22
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