Live In-Game Updates: FINAL: Missouri 34, Abilene Christian 17
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The Missouri Tigers headed into Week 3 of the season with mixed emotions.
A dominant 52-24 season-opening win over the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs put a huge spark of confidence in coach Eli Drinkwitz's team, but last week's 40-12 blowout loss to the Kansas State Wildcats immediately shot the Tigers back down to Earth.
But now, the team is presented with a solid bounce-back opportunity against the Abilene Christian Wildcats, who come into Saturday's game at Faurot Field with a 2-0 record.
The Wildcats picked up a 28-14 season-opening win over Lamar on Sept. 1 before squeaking out a close 21-13 victory over Prairie View last week.
ACU is led by quarterback Maverick Mclvor, who has gone 42 of 72 passing for 483 yards, four touchdowns, and three picks this season.
The Wildcats are also led by receiver Kendall Catalon, who has totaled 11 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown so far this season.
ACU has failed to get the running game going through two games, as the team's leading rusher, running back Rovaughn Banks Jr., has posted just 25 carries for 85 yards this season.
The Tigers will be without offensive lineman Xavier Delgado - who was not seen wearing pads pregame - as well receiver Demariyon Houston, receiver Chance Super, defensive lineman Ky Montgomery, and offensive lineman Hyrin White.
Stay locked in with MizzouSportsTalk.com as we provide live in-game updates and breaking news from Saturday's game.
The Wildcats receive the opening kickoff and will begin at their own 25-yard line.
FIRST QUARTER:
ACU got the ball first but quickly went three-and-out.
TOUCHDOWN MIZZOU: Mizzou recevier Luther Burden takes ACU's first punt all the way to the end zone for a 78-yard touchdown. The Tigers took an early 7-0 lead.
change of possession
The Tigers' defense forced a second straight three-and-out and punt to Burden III again, though this time, the Wildcats stopped him from scoring another touchdown.
Mizzou picked up 14 yards on its first offensive possession, but punted after six plays. Tigers punter Sean Koetting pinned the Wildcats at their own one-yard line.
change of possession
Faced with another third down, Wildcats running back Jermiah Dobbins ran 22 yards down the left sideline to pick up the first.
Two more big gain got the Wildcats into Mizzou territory for the first time of the game, but the Tigers defense held up and forced a field-goal attempt.
FIELD GOAL WILDCATS: The Wildcats get on the board with a 39-yard field goal. Mizzou leads 7-3.
change of possession
TOUCHDOWN MIZZOU: On the third play of the drive, Cook unloaded a deep, 79-yard throw to Dominic Lovett for a touchdown. The Tigers built a 14-3 lead.
change of possession
The Wildcats went three-and-out for the third time of the first quarter, punting to Burden again.
change of possession
Cook finds Lovett on a short pass, as he reverses field for a first down.
But the Tigers were stopped on a third-and-short and punted for the second time of the first quarter.
change of possession
END OF FIRST QUARTER: Mizzou 14, ACU 3
SECOND QUARTER
The Wildcats used five plays on their next drive before punting for the fourth time in the half.
change of possession
The Tigers went three-and-out as well despite having the opportunity to go for a 4th and 1 on the 50-yard line.
But Koetting's punt shanked out of bounds and traveled just 20 yards.
change of possession
McIvor connects with Tristan Golightly for a first down on 3rd and 2.
The Wildcats went for a quarterback sneak on fourth-and-short, but the Tigers stopped the conversion and got the ball back.
change of possession
The Tigers put together a solid drive with big gains through the air to receiver Mookie Cooper and running back Cody Schrader. But the offense stalled and had to settle for a field-goal attempt from Harrison Mevis.
FIELD GOAL MIZZOU: Mevis nails a 31-yard field goal to extend Mizzou's lead to 17-3.
change of possession
The Tigers weren't able to produce any offense in the two-minute drill and punted to ACU with a little under a minute remaining.
change of possession
But the Wildcats went three-and-out as well, giving the Mizzou offense one last shot at points before the half, though this also proved futile.
HALFTIME: Mizzou 17, ACU 3
THIRD QUARTER
The Tigers begin the second half with the ball, but were forced to punt after five plays a near fumble by Schrader.
change of possession
INTERCEPTION MIZZOU: Ennis Rakestraw makes an acrobatic interception, giving the Tigers the ball back.
change of possession
TOUCHDOWN MIZZOU: After the interception, Cook finds running back Nathaniel Peat for a touchdown, as Mizzou builds a 24-3 lead.
change of possession
FUMBLE RECOVERY MIZZOU: The big plays keep coming for the Tigers, as linebacker Chad Bailey forces a fumble that Mizzou recovered.
change of possession
But the Tigers were unable to take advantage of the turnover, as Mevis missed a 52-yard field goal.
change of possession
The Wildcats punted after five plays, but the defense came through soon after.
TOUCHDOWN ACU: Cook is strip-sacked right in front of the Missouri end zone, as the Wildcats dive on the ball for a touchdown. Mizzou still leads 24-10.
change of possession
Cook darts down the right sideline on a quarterback keeper for a 29-yard gain.
TOUCHDOWN MIZZOU: Cook connects with Lovett for a 13-yard touchdown as the Tigers build their lead to 31-10.
change of possession
The Wildcats went three-and-out and punted for the eighth time of the game.
change of possession
The Tigers got the ball back into field-goal range for Mevis, but he missed a 39-yard field goal to keep the score at 31-10.
change of possession
But it was another three-and-out and another punt for the Wildcats.
FINAL: Mizzou 34, Abilene Christian 17
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