The No. 12 Missouri Tigers came just short of a landmark victory, losing a heavyweight SEC East football matchup against the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs.
The Tigers came away with the lead after a first quarter that saw both offenses clicking well. Georgia gained 127 total yards, 80 of which came through the air. The Bulldogs could not capitalize, however, and they were forced to settle for only a field goal. The Tigers, on the other hand, took advantage of the big play, scoring on a 39-yard deep ball to Luther Burden III. Burden finished the game with three catches for 53 yards and a touchdown.
Roles were reversed in the second quarter, as Georgia cashed in the lone touchdown. The Bulldogs only gained 38 total yards, but found paydirt with a six-yard completion from Carson Beck to Missouri transfer Dominic Lovett. Missouri gained 99 total yards in the half, but only found three points off of the leg of Harrison Mevis.
The biggest story of the second half for the Tigers came after Luther Burden III left the field with an apparent ankle injury after a contested catch. He walked off of the field on his own power, and returned on the following drive, but his absence was felt by the offense. On the throw immediately following his departure, Daniel Blood, the receiver replacing him, missed a high-point pass from Brady Cook in the end zone that would have given the Tigers the lead.
After the half, Georgia pulled away from Missouri, cashing in one passing and one rushing touchdown. Carson Beck threw for 90 yards in the quarter, and the offense converted both of their third-down tries. The Tigers could not convert a single third down, and had to settle for only one field goal.
The fourth told a different story. Missouri marched down the field for the first scoring drive, scoring on a Cody Schrader rush with a two-point conversion from Luther Burden to make it a three-point game. Georgia got their shot next, but could only muster a field goal. The game fell from the grasp of the Tigers after Brady Cook threw a costly interception to defensive tackle Nazir Stackhouse. After a field goal by Georgia, Missouri tried valiantly to come back, but a deep ball from Brady Cook that was intercepted by Javon Bullard sealed the deal for the Bulldogs.
Georgia’s stout defense held off Missouri through all four quarters, forcing two interceptions and three sacks. Despite the loss, Cody Schrader and Theo Wease Jr. were the shining stars for the Tigers. Schrader rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, and Wease caught five passes for 90 yards.
With the win, Georgia kept its historic 26-game winning streak alive and gained control of the SEC East title. Missouri, on the other hand, fell to 7-2 on the season and 3-2 in the SEC East. Next week, the Bulldogs will host No. 10 Ole Miss, and the Tigers will host No. 17 Tennessee.