Missouri returns to action with a 17-10 win over South Carolina

Following a two-week layoff due to COVID and their regularly scheduled bye week, the Missouri Tigers picked up a 17-10 win Saturday night against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

South Carolina, in its first game under interim coach Mike Bobo seemed a bit listless on offense and allowed nine tackles for loss, including three sacks to the Tigers.

The game certainly looked as if Missouri only had 56 scholarship players and hadn’t played in a few weeks, and like South Carolina was going through a coaching change, as it was very sloppy on both sides.

The Tigers went up 17-0 in the first half behind a touchdown pass from Conner Bazelak to Tauskie Dove with seven minutes left in the first quarter and then a Larry Rountree one-yard rush to cap off a six play drive early in the second quarter. Harrison Mevis added a 20 yard chip shot field goal.

The half saw a big shift, as the Tigers gained just 89 yards over the final 30 minutes of action, to South Carolina’s 215. The Gamecocks came out and forced a three and out on the first drive of the second half for Mizzou and responded with a field goal to cut the lead to 17-3.

The Gamecocks really clamped down on defense throughout, forcing punts on all five of Mizzou’s second half drives. South Carolina was able to get the lead cut down to 17-10 by the middle of the fourth quarter, and they were driving towards Mizzou territory with a chance to tie the game before Devin Nicholson intercepted a Luke Doty pass to seal the victory of Missouri.

Doty was called into the game in relief of Collin Hill, who started the game 6-10 for just 39 yards. While Doty wasn’t able to complete the comeback, he certainly showed flashes that will loom large going forth.

South Carolina was dealt a blow early on when wide receiver Shi Smith left the game with a concussion.

Mizzou improves to 3-3 on the season with the win and will face Arkansas next week. South Carolina fall to 2-6 and will face Georgia next week.