Mizzou survives scare from Vanderbilt, wins SEC opener in double overtime
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
No. 7 Mizzou Football narrowly kept its perfect record alive to kick off SEC play, walking away from Faurot Field with a 30-27 double overtime win over Vanderbilt. Despite the scare, the Tigers improved their overall record to 4-0 this season, following a defensive stand.
You can watch extended highlights of the win in the video player below.
After MU matched Vanderbilt's touchdown drive on its first possession of overtime with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Brady Cook to Luther Burden III, the Tigers were forced to settle for a 37-yard field goal from reigning SEC Special Teams Player of the Week Blake Craig in the second overtime period. The Commodores had the opportunity to win the game in double overtime by scoring a touchdown, but Mizzou's defense got a stop, highlighted by Eddie Kelly Jr.'s 3-yard tackle for loss. Vanderbilt kicker was called on to extend the game with a 31-yard field goal attempt, but his kick sailed wide left to allow MU to escape a sold-out Memorial Stadium with a win.
You can watch the full postgame press conference with Mizzou football coach Eli Drinkwitz in the video player below.
Along with the defense's double overtime effort, running back Nate Noel fueled MU's offensive production to help guide them to the close victory. The Appalachian State transfer surpassed 160 rushing yards before the 8:00-mark of the third quarter, eventually ending the game with 24 carries for 199 yards. The team's leading rusher accounted for at least 22 yards of offense in both of Mizzou's touchdown drives in regulation.
You can watch the full postgame press conference with Noel in the video player below.
Similar to Week 3, The Tigers had to play from behind for an extended period of time on Saturday. Vanderbilt put the game's first points on the scoreboard on its second drive of the contest. Diego Pavia connected with Joseph McVay for a 65-yard touchdown to give the visitors a 7-0 lead with 9:06 left in the opening quarter.
Mizzou managed to tie the game on its second possession with a 20-yard touchdown catch-and-run by Burden III from Cook, but the Tigers were unable to take the lead in the first 30 minutes of action.
You can watch the full postgame press conference with Cook in the video player below.
Vanderbilt retook the advantage with 13:27 left in the second quarter on a 27-yard field goal by Taylor. While MU tied the game again with a 23-yard field goal off the foot of Craig, the Tigers gifted the Commodores great field position with seconds before halftime. Cook was sacked by Khordae Sydnor with 0:08 left in the first half, allowing the Commodores to get Taylor into field goal range for a 57-yard kick to put the visitors ahead 13-10 at the break.
After halftime, Craig and Carroll combined for a 54-yard field goal and a 3-yard touchdown respectively on Mizzou's first two drives of the second half to give the Tigers their first lead 20-13 at the 8:18-mark of the third quarter.
However, Vanderbilt responded with an 8-play, 80-yard touchdown drive before the halfway point of the second half, knotting the game 20-20 on a 4-yard rushing touchdown by AJ Newberry.
Craig had two different opportunities to put his team back in front in the middle stages of the final quarter but missed both field goal attempts from 40 yards and 46 yards respectively. Vanderbilt also had a chance to break the tie with a 50-yard kick, but Taylor's field goal attempt missed wide right, setting the stage for those struggles to haunt Taylor in overtime.
Cook ended the game 23-for-37 with 226 passing yards and two touchdowns, finding Burden III on both his trips to the end zone. Burden III also led the team in catches (6), receiving yards (76) and touchdowns (2).
Defensively, MU only got to the quarterback once, courtesy of a sack from Chuck Hicks. However, the Tigers posted tackles for loss at a more efficient pace, led by Chris McClellan with 2.5 tackles for loss.
You can watch the full postgame press conference with McClellan in the video player below.
Up next - Mizzou will have an extra week to prepare for its first road game of the 2024 campaign. MU meets Texas A&M at Kyle Field on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 11 a.m.
