(Photo Credit: Ryan Leopando- Arch City Sports)
The Missouri Tigers are the new leader atop the SEC East division standings. The Tigers came away with a 20-10 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday to move to 7-2 on the season and 4-1 in SEC play. With Florida’s 38-20 victory over Georgia earlier today the Bulldogs fall to second in the division with a 4-2 conference record.
Maty Mauk and the Missouri offense managed to get the job done Saturday despite only scoring 20 points. Mauk looks to have regained some of his consistency as he threw for 164 yards and two touchdowns on the day. Mauk also used his legs, something we haven’t seen much of this year, rushing for 75 yards on 14 carries.
After a scoreless first quarter the Tigers recorded the first points of the game as Mauk connected with senior wide out Bud Sasser for a three yard score to give Missouri the 7-0 lead. The Wildcats responded on the ensuing drive with a field goal to trim that lead to 7-3.
The Tigers executed nicely on their next drive as Mauk found Sasser for the second time with a beautiful back shoulder pass for the 26-yard score. Sasser finished the day with six catches for 67 yards and a pair of touchdowns. At the break the Tigers led 14-3.
Coming out of halftime it was a defensive battle until late in the third quarter when Andrew Baggett connected on a 41-yard field goal to stretch the Missouri lead back to two touchdowns with the score at 17-3. Baggett went on to add another field goal in the fourth, this time a 21-yard attempt giving the Tigers a 20-3 edge. The Wildcats added a touchdown late in garbage time, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Tigers went on to win 20-10.
This was a big game for the Tigers at home and one they had to win. Although it wasn’t a convincing victory they were still able to take care of business. It’s good to see Mauk spreading the ball around and hitting his targets on a more consistent basis namely Sasser, who once again stepped up as the go to wide receiver as he has done all year. I was also pleased to see Mauk step up and run when the pocket closed on him. Hopefully he can do more of this in the next two games against Texas A&M and Tennessee.
The final three games to close out the season are important for the Tigers as they now handle their own fate for the remainder of the season. If they are able to win out the last three games then they will miraculously be the SEC East champions for the second straight year. For now it’s a matter of taking it one game at a time and improving on the little mistakes.
Missouri’s defense held strong, as they’ve done all year only allowing 10 points to a decent Kentucky offense. Of course they gave up the usual 100 yards on the ground, but the Wildcats were never able to capitalize and put the ball in the end zone. Defensive back Aarion Penton added an interception and Shane Ray tallied two sacks pushing his total to 12 for the season and giving the single season record previously held by Aldon Smith and Michael Sam.
Missouri is next in action on the road at Texas A&M following a bye week on Nov. 15. The Aggies will be without sophomore quarterback Kenny Hill as he serves his two-game suspension for a violation of team rules. True freshman Kyle Allen will be making the start in his place.
