Mizzou captures Mayor’s Cup win over South Carolina
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Behind its best defensive performance of the season, the Mizzou football team defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 31-28 to win its third straight Mayor’s Cup and improve its record to .500 on the season.
Watch the press conference in the player below.
The Tiger defense started the game off strong. Defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine picked off South Carolina quarterback Jason Brown for his third interception of the season.
However, quarterback Connor Bazelak would give the ball right back to South Carolina after throwing his ninth interception of the season, setting up the Gamecocks in Mizzou territory. South Carolina capitalized on the turnover, scoring a touchdown on a short run by Kevin Harris to give them a 7-0 lead.
After going three-and-out on its next possession, Mizzou’s defense would make another big play. Defensive lineman Isaiah McGuire recovered a fumble deep in their own territory to prevent South Carolina from putting more points on the board.
Bazelak took advantage, as he found his tight end Daniel Parker Jr. in the corner of the end zone for his first touchdown pass of the afternoon to the tie the game.
On Mizzou’s next offensive possession, the Tigers extended their lead courtesy of a Bazelak connection with wide receiver Mookie Cooper deep down the middle for 60 yards. The touchdown gave them a seven-point lead.
The game continued to go back and forth. The Gamecocks marched down the field to tie the game at 14-14 on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Brown to wide receiver Josh Vann.
With just over a minute to go in the first half, the Tigers took the lead on a short field goal by kicker Harrison Mevis. The field goal was set up by a 46-yard pass from Bazelak to wide receiver D’ionte ‘Boo’ Smith. Mizzou went into the locker room with a 17-14 lead.
The Mizzou defense had a strong first half, giving up only 142 total yards. The run defense also dominated the line of scrimmage to hold South Carolina to 13 rushing yards and 0.7 yards per carry, which was a huge improvement compared to previous weeks.
The Tigers finished the first half with 230 yards of total offense. Bazelak completed 10 of his 14 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns.
Mizzou’s standout defensive performance continued in the second half. With 4:28 left in the third quarter, safety Martez Manuel forced Brown to fumble and defensive lineman Trajan Jeffcoat recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown to make the score 24-14.
The Tiger offense followed up the defensive score with a touchdown of its own. Early in the fourth quarter, running back Tyler Badie scored his first rushing touchdown of the game on a 19-yard run to give Mizzou a 31-14 lead.
The MU defense couldn't stop the Gamecocks entirely. With under seven minutes left, Brown hits ZaQuandre White for a 38-yard touchdown to put South Carolina down by just 10 points. However, SC did not let up. Bazelak threw his second interception on the game, which led to another Gamecock touchdown. South Carolina was down by just three points with under five minutes left.
After the turnover, head coach Eli Drinkwitz pulled Bazelak out of the game and replaced him with backup freshman Brady Cook. The Tigers did manage to hold on for the Mayor's Cup win.
Badie finished the game with 209 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Mizzou will be back at Faurot Field for the final time this the season to face Florida next Saturday at 3pm on senior day.
