Game report: No. 22 Mizzou 9, UConn 6
First quarter
Key play: Missouri junior quarterback Maty Mauk had plenty of time to survey the field before throwing a late ball to the far boundary that was intercepted by Connecticut cornerback Jhavon Williams and led to a touchdown.
Key stat: The Tigers’ offense generated 55 yards in 16 plays, a meager 3.4 yards per play. It was a sign of things to come.
Second quarter
Key play: Facing fourth-and-7 at its own 25, Connecticut opted for a fake punt. Junior punter Justin Wain scooted 13 yards untouched up the visiting sideline to keep Missouri’s defense on the field.
Key stat: Mauk finished the first half nine of 15 for 52 yards with an interception.
Third quarter
Key play: Mauk scored on a 2-yard, read-option keeper on fourth-and-goal, vaulting Missouri into the lead 9-6 with 5:03 remaining in the quarter.
Key stat: Missouri’s opening drive of the second half went 68 yards in 15 plays and took 6:43 off the game clock.
Fourth quarter
Key play: Connecticut holder and backup quarterback Tim Boyle picked up the snap on a potential game-tying 42-yard field goal and tried to lob the ball to tight end Alec Bloom, but sophomore safety Anthony Sherrils read the fake and intercepted the pass.
Key stat: Missouri won scoring fewer than 10 points for the first time since a 3-0 season-opening win Sept. 9, 1978, at Notre Dame.
Player of the game: Missouri sophomore safety Anthony Sherrils recorded his first career forced fumble, his first career fumble recovery and his first career interception. Sherrils, who also had three tackles, iced the game by picking off Tim Boyle in the final minute.
Reason to hope: Goodness, that Missouri defense is good. The Tigers allowed only 233 total yards, which remarkably was a season-high for any opponent. Connecticut had 23 carries for 77 yards rushing and went two of 13 on third down.
Reason to mope: Goodness, that Missouri offense is struggling. The Tigers only gained 270 total yards, which is a low-water mark for the season. Missouri managed only 34 carries for 85 yards, a 2.5-yard average.
Looking ahead: Missouri is going to face a better defense with better athletes in the SEC opener at Kentucky next week at Commonwealth Stadium. The Tigers’ offensive issues might prove costly in the win-loss column.
| Tod Palmer, tpalmer@kcstar.com
Report card
D+ | Offense | Missouri hasn’t scored fewer points since a 14-7 loss loss in November 2012 at Florida and the offense has nothing to hang its hat on. |
A | Defense | Every drive was pressure-packed, but the Tigers again rose to the occasion. |
C | Special teams | The good: Blocks by Clarence Green and Kentrell Brothers. The bad: A clanged a 40-yard field goal and punt coverage that allowed a fake punt and fumbled another punt. |
C+ | Coaching | Missouri won and some adjustments were critical in making that happen, but the offensive inconcistency is troubling. |
This story was originally published September 19, 2015 at 4:45 PM with the headline "Game report: No. 22 Mizzou 9, UConn 6."