Game report: Missouri 20, BYU 16
First quarter
Key play: Missouri missed a chance to jump in front on its second drive when sophomore running back Ish Witter fumbled on a third-down carry at the BYU 21.
Key stat: The Tigers rebounded on the next drive, a 12-play and 68-yard march, capped by Andrew Baggett’s 23-yard field goal. With eight points Saturday, he needs eight more to break Jeff Wolfert’s all-time scoring record.
Second quarter
Key play: Quarterback Drew Lock gained three yards on fourth-and-1 at midfield with 2:50 remaining after BYU took a timeout. He finished with 26 yards on three carries.
Key stat: Missouri went on a season-long 18-play drive that covered 65 yards and netted the go-ahead field goal in the closing minute of the first half.
Third quarter
Key play: BYU’s Algernon Brown scored on an 11-yard run, putting Missouri down 10-6, three plays after a delay of game penalty on Walter Brady extended the Cougars’ drive.
Key stat: Lock threw an interception on the opening drive of the second half for the second consecutive game. It led to BYU’s go-ahead score and the only points for either team in the quarter.
Fourth quarter
Key play: Defensive end Marcell Frazier sacked BYU quarterback Tanner Mangum, forcing a fumble that linebacker Michael Scherer recovered, on the first play after MU retook the lead on Lock’s 4-yard TD pass to J’Mon Moore.
Key stat: Missouri scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns. It marked the first time the Tigers scored multiple touchdowns in a quarter since the third period Sept. 12 at Arkansas State.
The grades
Offense
B+
If we’re grading on a curve, Missouri deserves an A with a couple pluses after for its 434-yard performance, but the turnovers and red-zone struggles can’t be ignored.
Defense
B
BYU only managed 290 yards, but the Cougars averaged 5.2 yards per play and only allowed one sack on 42 dropbacks.
Special teams
C+
No major errors, aside from the delay of game penalty on a field-goal try that extended a BYU drive. No outstanding performances either.
Coaching
A+
It wasn’t a perfect game, but the staff deserves credit for keeping the team focused, especially considering the week Missouri had with the strike and protests capped by Gary Pinkel’s resignation. It’s incredible the Tigers snapped a four-game skid under those circumstances.
Takeaways
Player of the game: Quarterback Drew Lock threw for a career-high 244 yards on 19 of 28 passing with a touchdown, his first since the South Carolina game, and an interception. He also ran for 26 yards on three carries in essentially his hometown.
Reason to hope: The offense has managed to establish the run during the last two weeks. Twenty points still isn’t exactly an avalanche, but it might as well be for Missouri.
Reason to mope: Missouri’s last two games, against Tennessee and at Arkansas, are tough. The Tigers aren’t likely to be favored in either game and need a win to guarantee bowl eligibility.
Looking ahead: Theoretically, Missouri should have an easier week, but it’s bound to be emotional as Pinkel’s final game at Memorial Stadium approaches at 6:15 p.m. Saturday against the Volunteers.
Tod Palmer: 816-234-4389, @todpalmer
This story was originally published November 15, 2015 at 7:18 AM with the headline "Game report: Missouri 20, BYU 16."