Mizzou loses high-scoring battle with LSU 49-39, suffers first loss of the season
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The 21st ranked Mizzou football team lost its first game of the season on Saturday afternoon, losing to 23rd ranked LSU 49-39 at Faurot Field. Mizzou's record is now 5-1 this season.
You can watch the full postgame press conference with Mizzou football coach Eli Drinkwitz in the video player below.
This game was played in front of a sellout crowd that had an estimated attendance of 62,621 people.
After Mizzou's defense forced an LSU three-and-out to start the game, the Tigers marched down the field. Brady Cook capped off a 9-play, 87-yard drive with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Theo Wease Jr. Mizzou took an 8-0 lead in the first quarter after Cook successfully converted a two-point conversion on a quarterback run.
However, LSU responded with a touchdown drive of their own on its next drive. Logan Diggs scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown to cut LSU's deficit to 8-7 late in the first quarter.
You can watch the full postgame press conference with Mizzou defensive lineman Darius Robinson in the video player below.
Following that LSU scoring drive, Mizzou scored two unanswered touchdowns to build a 22-7 lead. First, Cody Schrader scored a 21-yard rushing touchdown with about one minute left in the opening quarter. Then, Cook threw his second passing touchdown of the game, finding Brett Norfleet for a 9-yard touchdown catch with 10:47 left in the second quarter. Norfleet's touchdown catch was the first of his collegiate career.
You can watch the full postgame press conference with Mizzou running back Cody Schrader in the video player below.
The LSU Tigers battled back after Mizzou's three straight touchdown drives. After settling for a 48-yard field goal by Damian Ramos to make it a 22-10 score, LSU forced an interception and capitalized on the turnover. Jayden Daniels connected with Mason Taylor for a three-yard touchdown pass, cutting LSU's deficit to five points.
Mizzou managed to get into field goal range right before halftime, and Harrison Mevis drilled a 50-yard kick to give the Tigers a 25-17 lead at the break.
Cook finished the first half with 227 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
You can watch the full postgame press conference with Mizzou offensive lineman Javon Foster in the video player below.
Luther Burden also had a strong first half performance, catching nine passes for 110 receiving yards. This is now the fifth consecutive game that Burden has surpassed 100 receiving yards.
After blocking Mevis' 44-yard field goal on Mizzou's opening drive of the second half, the LSU offense scored on its next two possessions. Ramos kicked a 29-yard field goal to cut LSU's deficit to five points. Then, Daniels threw a 42-yard touchdown pass on LSU's next drive to give them their first lead of the game.
Trailing 27-25 midway through the third quarter, the Mizzou offense answered. The Tigers marched 75 yards down the field on six plays, scoring on a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Schrader to put Mizzou back in front 32-27. That drive also featured a 52-yard run by Schrader.
LSU retook the lead with just under eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. On third down, Daniels darted downfield for a 35-yard rushing touchdown, giving LSU a 35-32 lead after a successful two-point conversion.
Mizzou's offense quickly responded after losing the lead. Cook found Burden for a 42-yard catch that put Mizzou inside LSU's 30-yard line. Then, Schrader capped off the drive with his third rushing touchdown of the game to give Mizzou back the lead 39-35.
However, LSU responded again on its next offensive drive with a 29-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to Malik Nabers to give them a 42-39 lead with under three minutes remaining in the game.
Mizzou tried to put together another scoring drive late in the fourth quarter, but Cook threw an interception that was returned by LSU's Major Burns for a touchdown.
Cook finished the game with 395 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Schrader surpassed 100 total rushing yards in the game, finishing with 114 yards on the ground and three touchdowns.
Burden was Mizzou's leading receiver. He had a team-high 149 receiving yards on 11 catches.
Up next - Mizzou will look for a bounce back win when they travel to Lexington to face Kentucky on Saturday, Oct. 14. The kickoff time for that game has not been announced.
