Game report: Missouri 34, Texas A&M 27
First quarter
Key play: Texas A&M freshman Speedy Noil returned a kickoff 70 yards after Missouri took a 3-0 lead, which set up the Aggies’ Josh Lambo for a game-tying 40-yard field goal.
Key stat: Missouri won the time of possession battle, controlling the ball for 9:20 and limiting the defense’s exposure to A&M’s potent passing attack.
Second quarter
Key play: Missouri’s defense had forced a punt near midfield, but a roughing-the-kicker penalty on freshman linebacker Eric Beisel kept A&M’s drive alive. Two plays later, the Aggies took the lead on Kyle Allen’s 24-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Josh Reynolds.
Key stat: Missouri committed seven penalties for 55 yards, including six for 40 yards by the offense. One, an offensive pass interference on senior Darius White on a pick play at the goal line, wiped away a touchdown pass to senior Bud Sasser.
Third quarter
Key play: Pick one of junior Russell Hansbrough’s long touchdowns runs. He galloped for scores of 49 and 45 yards as Missouri surged from down 13-6 to ahead 34-20 during a dominant third quarter.
Key stat: Missouri totaled 308 yards of offense, including 202 yards rushing, during the third quarter. The Tigers scored four touchdowns, including freshman Ish Witter’s first career touchdown on a 16-yard run.
Fourth quarter
Key play: Seniors Matt Hoch, Duron Singleton and Braylon Webb converged to stuff A&M tight end Cameron Clear for a 1-yard loss on a throwback screen
Key stat: Missouri had only four of its 32 first downs in the fourth quarter, but none were more important than the one senior Marcus Murphy picked up on third and 1 at the MU 11 with 1:42 remaining. The Tigers ran out the clock from there.
Player of the game: Junior running back Russell Hansbrough finished with a career-high 199 yards in 20 carries with two touchdowns. It was the most rushing yards by a Missouri player since Henry Josey, who was on the sideline for the game, ran for 263 yards in 2011 against Western Illinois.
Reason to hope: Missouri’s offense had shown signs of life against Vanderbilt and Kentucky, topping 300 total yards for the first time since conference play started in late September. Still, those 385- and 320-yard performances paled in comparison to the Tigers’ 587-yard outburst against A&M.
Reason to mope: Georgia’s 34-7 victory against Auburn leaves Missouri with no margin for error in the chase for a return to the SEC Championship Game. The Tigers still control their own fate, but they won’t be Atlanta-bound without wins at Tennessee and against Arkansas.
Looking ahead: Missouri heads next weekend to Knoxville, Tenn., for a showdown with the Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. The Tigers won in their only previous visit, claiming a 51-48 victory in quadruple overtime.
Report card
A | Offense | There were imperfections, including too many penalties and Maty Mauk’s interception. Season-highs for yards (587), rushing yards (335) and yards per play (6.6) in a tough road environment merit a top grade. |
A- | Defense | The Tigers missed more tackles than usual and were exposed a bit in coverage by A&M’s talented receiving corps, but the Aggies were far less productive than usual, and the fourth-down stop iced a ninth straight road win. |
C- | Special teams | Missouri allowed a long Speedy Noil return, which set up a field goal, and had a roughing-the-punter penalty, which led to a touchdown. Christian Brinser also shanked a rugby-style punt. |
B+ | Coaching | The coaches can’t get an A in a game that featured 12 penalties for 81 yards, but the offense made adjustments when needed and Missouri keeps grinding out wins. Pinkel and his staff deserve high marks. |
This story was originally published November 15, 2014 at 11:41 PM with the headline "Game report: Missouri 34, Texas A&M 27."