Mizzou Falls to South Carolina in Back and Fourth Battle

In a back and fourth battle, the Tigers dropped its third game, throwing a wrench in its season.

Nov 16, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Missouri Tigers place kicker Blake Craig (19) kicks a field goal against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images / Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

In usual Missouri football fashion, the Tigers took the No. 21 South Carolina Gamecocks down to the wire. Both teams took shots at each other and it was a battle to the end but ultimately, it was the South Carolina Gamecocks who came out in front, winning 34-30. 

It seems on brand for the Tigers to start slow in the first half and ramp up its level of play in the second. In the first, the Tigers struggled to connect in its passing attack with the surprise start of quarterback Brady Cook and the defense allowed multiple large plays down the field that gave the Gamecocks a 21-6 lead.

South Carolina’s three first-half touchdowns were all thanks to quarterback LaNorris Sellers. The first touchdown pass connected with Nyckoles Harbor for 26 yards, the second a six-yard toss to Joshua Simon and the third a 38-yard screen to Jared Brown. 

All the Tigers managed to add in the first half was two field goals from Blake Craig, one from 37 yards and the other from 38. In Cook’s first start since Missouri’s loss to Alabama, he finished with 237 yards and one touchdown on 21-for-31 efficiency. He didn’t have his sharpest first half and left much to be desired, but he managed to channel his clutch gene in the second.

Throughout the whole game, running back Nate Noel was the offensive hero. He finished with 150 yards and one touchdown, with too many impactful runs to count. He was the main source of the revitalization of the Tiger offense in the second half and there is no doubt that the Tigers don’t win if he didn’t have the game he did. 

A quiet first-half passing attack set up Cook and company for a high-flying second half. It was his running backs who finished off the majority of the drives, however. Running back Marcus Carroll scored the first touchdown with a two-yard run up the gut and Noel similarly scored the second. Noel’s score was on the back of a 49-yard bomb to Marquis Johnson, setting up the score. 

Following that sequence, Sellers found receiver Dalevon Campbell for a 47-yard bomb, recapturing the lead. Needing to get back in front, Cook mounted another impressive drive. 

In the red zone, Cook and his running backs miscommunicated and he was dropped for a loss. On fourth down, Cook dropped back and found his star receiver, Luther Burden III, for a 37-yard score, putting them back in front 30-27.

The scoring wasn’t over there. Sellers led another drive down the field, connecting with Campbell in the middle of the field for the largest play. It was capped off with a 15-yard score from running back Rocket Sanders, giving the lead right back to South Carolina.  

Missouri did not have a response with 15 seconds to play and the Tigers dropped its third game of the season and now boast a 7-3 record. Its College Football Playoff hopes are almost certainly dashed now. The Tigers travel to Mississippi State next week and kick-off at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23.

Fourth Quarter

0:04- The officiating crew is reviewing an interception from Jalon Kilgore in regard to whether it is complete or not. It's confirmed and the Gamecocks secure the win. South Carolina 34, Missouri 30.

0:21- Rocket Sanders goes 15 yards for his first score of the game, with the Tigers in need of a hail-mary miracle to win. South Carolina 34, Missouri 30.

1:10- Cook finds Luther Burden III for 37 yards and regains the lead. Jamal Roberts runs up the gut and gets the two-point conversion. South Carolina 27, Missouri 30.

2:00- The Tigers have the ball on the South Carolina 41-yard line, facing a third and three after the completion of the two-minute timeout. South Carolina 27, Missouri 22.

5:04- Sellers finds Michael Smith for a five-yard score on a play-action pass. The Gamecocks failed to convert on the two-point conversion. South Carolina 27, Missouri 22.

6:15- LaNorris Sellers finds Dalevon Campell for a 53-yard reception to the red zone. South Carolina 21, Missouri 22.

9:12- Nate Noel runs untouched up the gut to give the Tigers the lead. South Carolina 21, Missouri 22.

10:11- Cook connects with Marquis Johnson for 49 yards for a massive passing connection. Add on a late hit and pass interference combination of penalties and the Tigers are knocking on the door. South Carolina 21, Missouri 15.

11:40- Nic Deloach wraps up Raheim Sanders on a screen play and the Tigers get the ball back shortly after its field goal. South Carolina 21, Missouri 15.

12:53- Cook misses tight end Jordon Harris in the red zone and the Tigers fall back on Craig for a 25-yard field goal. South Carolina 21, Missouri 15.

Third Quarter

1:41- The Tigers get the back after another fourth-down stop. Missouri has the ball on the 37-yard line. South Carolina 21, Missouri 12.

3:11- A unique series of events has many fans puzzled. Sellers just barely misses a third down conversion and the Tigers got the stop on fourth down, but the play was erased and the one before is now under review. South Carolina 21, Missouri 12.

4:56- The first Missouri touchdown of the night comes from Marcus Carroll up the middle for two yards. The Tigers failed to convert on the two-point conversion. South Carolina 21, Missouri 12.

8:49- Nate Noel finds a narrow hole in an outside zone and gains 23 yards. That was one of Missouri's longest plays of the night so far. South Carolina 21, Missouri 6.

11:09- For the fourth time tonight, the Gamecocks went for it on fourth down. Sellers could not find Simon and the Tigers recovered the ball for the first time in the half. South Carolina 21, Missouri 6.

Second Quarter

0:00- A reception to Mekhi Miller is overturned and called incomplete. The Tigers failed to put points on the board to end the half. South Carolina 21, Missouri 6.

0:47- Sellers hits Jared Brown, who takes it for a 38-yard score. Another big play for the Gamecock offense before the end of the first half. South Carolina 21, Missouri 6.

1:40- Missouri follows up a Gamecock touchdown with a 14-second drive resulting in a punt. South Carolina gets the ball back with under two to spare. South Carolina 14, Missouri 6.

1:59- Sellers finds tight end Joshua Simon wide open for Sellers' second touchdown of the game. South Carolina 14, Missouri 6.

2:33- Sellers connects with Nyck Harbor for 43 yards into the Gamecock red zone. South Carolina is knocking on the door to score once again. South Carolina 7, Missouri 6.

4:34- Brady Cook is sacked by T.J. Sanders on third down, forcing a third field goal attempt for Blake Craig. Craig is no good from 49 yards. South Carolina 7, Missouri 6.

6:11- Sellers is intercepted by Dreyden Norwood looking for Oscar Adaway III. Tigers get the ball back in great field position. South Carolina 7, Missouri 6.

10:08- The Tigers finally get Sellers and Sanders off the field, stopping Sanders at the line of scrimmage on a third fourth-down conversion attempt. South Carolina 7, Missouri 6.

14:12- For the second time, the Gamecocks convert on fourth down, both thanks to short runs from LaNorris Sellers. South Carolina 7, Missouri 6.

First Quarter

2:41- Craig nails his second field goal of the day, this time from 37 yards. Cook is looking comfortable throwing the ball, but a few negative plays stalled the drive. South Carolina 7, Missouri 6.

4:48- Cook rolls out right and connects with Wease on an impressive throw-on-the-run. The Tigers, thanks to Nate Noel, are driving down the field. South Carolina 7, Missouri 3.

7:31- LaNorris Sellers finds Nyckoles Harbor on a 26-yard strike for the first Gamecock points of the afternoon. South Carolina 7, Missouri 3.

10:00- The first offensive drive from Cook and the Tigers comes to a halt after Cook's throw was low targeting receiver Theo Wease Jr. Blake Craig drilled a 38-yard field goal to put the first points on the board. South Carolina 0, Missouri 3.

Pre Game

• Quarterback Brady Cook is listed as a game-time decision before kickoff. The Tiger quarterback has been considered doubtful all week, but Cook was seen warming up before kickoff.
• The starter at the quarterback spot will be a true game-time decision. Cook and his backup, Drew Pyne, are in pads and warming up just before kickoff.
• Head coach Eli Drinkwitz confirms that Cook is the starter against the Gamecocks.