Missouri Tigers Hope Improvement is on Horizon After First SEC Win

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Missouri Tigers emerged victorious on Saturday in a home bout with SEC foe Vanderbilt.

As the final seconds ticked off the clock at Faurot Field on Saturday, the Missouri Tigers put an end to a couple rather disappointing streaks. They had won their first game of the season against a team from a Power 5 conference, and at the same time, the victory was their first within conference play in over thirteen months. These two droughts excel at epitomizing the struggle the program has been through during the past couple seasons.

Despite the recent turmoil, the Tigers were ready to play on Saturday as they aimed to finish the season on high note.

From the opening kickoff, Mizzou was in attack mode. They scored less than five minutes in and jumped out to a quick six-point lead. While the offensive fireworks quickly dispersed and the remainder of the first quarter was scoreless, the defense continued to play well and produce stops.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Additionally, later in the first half, they got on the board themselves with a pick-six from DB Aarion Penton. Mizzou continued their solid play and tacked on another touchdown, courtesy of J’Mon Moore, before halftime.

While the Tigers only led by nine points at the half, the stout defensive unit continued to perform well and lead the team throughout the rest of the game. They merely surrendered seven second-half points en route to the win, despite constantly being put on the field due to the inept Tiger offense. Look for the defense to continue their inspired play over the conclusion of the season.

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Next on the schedule is a road matchup with the (7-3) Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville. The Tigers will aim to stop the diverse rushing attack of the Vols, spearheaded by QB Joshua Dobbs and RB Alvin Kamara. Mizzou is currently a sixteen-point underdog, and an upset win over the Volunteers–who are still in contention for a trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game–does not seem likely.