Hoping to end their losing streak at two straight, Mizzou football continued to struggle on Saturday, losing to Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn. by a final score of 10-3, extending their losing streak to three straight losses. The offense was abysmal as it has been in the past few games as they failed to put a touchdown on the board for the third straight game. This is the first time Mizzou has gone three straight contests without a touchdown since 1937.
Quarterback Drew Lock finished the contest throwing 34 times, completing 14 of them for 108 yards; his QBR rating is finished at a dismal 19.9. And you know that the offense was struggling when the quarterback, Lock, and the punter, Corey Fatony, finished as Mizzou’s leading rushers. Lock rushed for 39 yards and Fatony rushed for 26 yards on a fake punt run. Running backs Russell Hansbrough and Ish Witter struggled mightily on the ground as well. Hansbrough had eight carries and managed only 12 yards, while Witter had two carries and managed three yards. Missouri didn’t convert on third down at all, finishing the game going 0/14 on third down conversions. To add to the conundrum, kicker Andrew Baggett had a missed field goal as well. Clearly, it wasn’t Mizzou’s day on the offensive side of the ball.
On the other hand, the Mizzou defense was exceptional once again. Kentrell Brothers and Charles Harris led the way for Mizzou, as Vanderbilt certainly had a tough time scoring points. However, the defense was on the field way too much, which tired them out and thus allowed the Commodores to score some crucial points that would prove to be the difference in the game.
Quarterback Kyle Shurmur, who completed 10 out of 20 passes for 89 yards, led the Vandy offense. Ralph Webb led the way on the ground, rushing for 99 yards on 26 carries and one touchdown. Wide receiver Trent Sherfield led Vanderbilt receivers with five catches, good for 35 yards, and although kicker Tommy Openshaw made only one of three field goals, ten points would prove to be all the Commodores needed to get the win against the Tigers.
Mizzou must definitely use their bye week next week to try and find an answer to their offensive issues. The struggles on offense must be addressed sooner rather than later as Mizzou’s schedule doesn’t get any easier. They’ll come out of their bye week and play host to Mississippi State on Thursday, November 5^th at 8pm.