Missouri Tigers football grades: Analysis from Mizzou’s 2OT win over Vanderbilt
Missouri Tigers football coach Eli Drinkwitz had cautioned last week that Vanderbilt has “always been difficult” for Mizzou.
That reminder rang true Saturday as No. 7 Missouri survived a scare against the Commodores, winning 30-27 in double-overtime at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.
Vanderbilt tied the SEC opener for both teams at 20 in the third quarter. MU missed a pair of field goals in the fourth quarter that could’ve won it in regulation. The Commodores missed one, too.
In the second OT session, however, Tigers placekicker Blake Craig redeemed himself by drilling the game-winner.
“I knew they were going to come in here with something to prove,” Drinkwitz said of Vandy after the game. “They battled us and battled, and battled and battled, but I’m really proud of our football team for finding a way to never giving in, never flinching.”
Here’s our report card with grades from Mizzou’s narrow victory ahead of this week’s open date (MU’s next game is at Texas A&M Oct. 5):
Mizzou offense
Not a great game for the offense.
QB Brady Cook’s final stat line as a passer reads just fine — 23-for-37 with 226 yards and two touchdowns. But he had some misfires that a veteran QB doesn’t want to make, and he didn’t do all that much with his legs, either, gaining seven yards on 11 carries.
Most importantly, though, the Tigers failed to capitalize on a couple of key red-zone opportunities. MU will not be wanting to settle for field goals in such situations now that SEC play has begun.
Grade: C
Mizzou defense
Mizzou special teams
Area in need of improvement
Penalties were a bit of a concern in previous weeks, but the Tigers tallied just three for 33 yards against the Commodores. That’s a definite improvement.
Coming out of this game, MU should and will focus on its offense. The schedule’s less forgiving now and the Tigers will be in for a long day in College Station if they play like they did Saturday vs. Vandy.
Player of the game
Running back Nate Noel is the choice this week. He led the Tigers with 199 yards on 24 carries Saturday, including a 64-yard gallop to Vandy’s 3-yard line in the third quarter (RB Marcus Carroll finished that drive with a TD).
“Unbelievable,” Drinkwitz said of Noel’s afternoon. “He’s a special player. I think we’ve all noticed that and known that — we just have to continue to finish drives for him.”
