No 7. Missouri Narrowly Escapes Vanderbilt in Overtime

The No. 7 Missouri Tigers won in double overtime over Vanderbilt.

Sep 21, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) is sacked by Missouri Tigers linebacker Chuck Hicks (30) during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images / Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The No. 7 Missouri Tigers breathed a sigh of relief when Vanderbilt kicker Brock Taylor missed wide-left in overtime, allowing the Tigers to narrowly escape with a 30-27 win over the Commodores.

The Week 4 matchup to open SEC play was much closer than what the 20-point favorites would’ve preferred. 

After quarterback Brady Cook threw a 25-yard touchdown pass on the first play of Missouri’s first drive of overtime, the Tigers were back on offense.

However, after a throw from Cook intended for Burden on a 3rd-and-5 fell flat, Vanderbilt had the opportunity to secure the win in double overtime.

But Missouri, as it had all game, benefitted from clutch defense and a little but of luck from Taylor's leg.

Missouri had the chance to secure the win multiple times in the fourth quarter, driving down into Vanderbilt territory on two drives. But after having to settle for a field goal on two-straight drives, redshirt freshman Blake Craig missed from 40 and then 46.

On the second one, Vanderbilt received the ball with just over seven minutes remaining. It had the chance to go down score,  drain the clock and bleed the Tigers to death. 

Yet, after Pavia’s creativity drove Vanderbilt down the field, Taylor continued the streak started by Craig, missing from 50.

After it had relied on the defense for the rest of the game, the Missouri offense had its chance to secure the game.

Receiving the ball with 3:06, the Tigers drove down to the Vanderbilt 47 before failing to convert a 3rd-and-1 with under a minute remaining. After receiving the ball with 49 seconds remaining, Vanderbilt opted to kneel and settle for overtime.

The win was much closer than it never needed to be. A slow start from Missouri held the Tigers back for all 60 minutes of play. Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz emphasized the need to do so after trailing 14-3 early to Boston College in Week 3. 

The Missouri offense was lethargic in the first quarter for the third week in a row. The defense caused a three-and-out on the opening drive, but proceeded to be picked apart by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia on two-straight scoring drives.

A 65-yard touchdown where Pavia connected with a wide-open receiver Joseph McVay down the field set the tone for the first half. Vanderbilt sent a message that it would be in for the dogfight it became.

Missouri has its work cut out heading into the bye week. It will next hit the field when it travels to Texas A&M on Saturday, October 5, for its first away game of the season. 

FINAL STATS

Live Updates:

Overtime:

VANDERBILT: Brock Taylor is NO GOOD from 31 yards. Missouri WINS 30-27.

VANDERBILT: Pass is incomplete. Vanderbilt will attempt kick to tie it at 30.

VANDERBILT: 2nd-and-30: Pavia connects with Sherrill, bringing Vanderbilt to the 13.

VANDERBILT: 2nd-and-13: Offensive pass inteference on Vanderbilt moves them back to the Missouri 30. Score: 30-27.

---

3rd and 5 from 20: Missouri fails to convert. Blake Craig is good on 37-yard FIELD GOAL attempt. Missouri makes it 30-27.

---

1st and goal from 25: Cook finds Burden over his shoulder for a TOUCHDOWN on the first play of the drive. Tied at 27.

---

1st and goal from Missouri 3: Pavia throws a TOUCHDOWN pass. Vanderbilt makes it 27-0.

2nd and 16 at the 18: Pavia rushes to the Missouri 4.

1st and 10 from 25: Linebacker Chuck Hicks is called for roughing the passer, moving Vanderbilt up 15 yards.

Missouri wins the toss, elects to play defense first.

Fourth Quarter:

0:42: Vanderbilt is kneeling. This game is headed to overtime.

:49: Vanderbilt will start with the ball at the Missouri six. A field goal would likely secure a win for the Commodores.

:55: After sending the Missouri offense out there, Missouri calls a timeout and will punt back to Vanderbilt.

:55: Missouri is set to face a 4th-and-1 at the Vanderbilt 47. The Commodores have called a timeout after confusion on the defensive alignment.

2:00: Missouri is now at the midfield facing a 2nd-and-4.

3:06: Taylor is no good. Missouri will have the chance to drain the clock and close this one out.

3:11: The Missouri defense creates its seventh third-down stop of the game. Brock Taylor will come out for a 50-yard field goal.

6:00: Pavia converts a 3rd-and-4 by swerving his way for 18.

7:06: Craig misses for the second kick in a row, this time from 46. He's 2-for-5 today. Vanderbilt has the chance again to tie it.

9:49: Safety Daylan Carnell throws himself at a receiver to break up a pass on 3rd-and-9. Missouri starting with the ball at own 34.

10:48: Craig misses from 40 yards out. Vanderbilt will ge the ball starting at their own 28 with a chance to take a lead.

13:25: Missouri receiver Marquis Johnson is now headed to the locker room. True freshman defensive lineman Glenn Seabrooks III stayed down on the field to be evaluated by trainers after 2nd down.

Third Quarter:

0:14: Missouri receiver Marquis Johnson stayed down on the ground following his kick return, now entering the medical tent.

Officials reviewed Newberry's touchdown to see if he crossed the pylon before stepping out. Call stands and the game is now tied.

0:23 (20-20): Vanderbilt gashed Missouri on the ground with rushes of 31 from Sedrick Alexander and 15 from Pavia before A.J. Newberry takes it in for a four-yard TOUCHDOWN to tie the game.

5:38: Missouri is punting for, surprisingly, the second time today. Vanderbilt will have a chance to tie it at 20 before the end of the third quarter.

6:49: An interception falls right through the hands of safety Sidney Williams on 3rd down

(20-13) 8:26: A 64-yard run from Noel sets up a three-yard rushing TOUCHDOWN from running back Marcus Carroll. Momentum shifting drive for Missouri.

9:21: A blitz on 3rd-and-14 puts Pavia under pressure, causing another three-and-out for Vanderbilt.

10:58 (13-13): An incompletion from Cook intended for Roberts brings out Craig, who is good from 55.

FIRST HALF STATS

Second Quarter:

0:00 (10-13): Vanderbilt's 57-yard kick attempt just barely makes it over the crossbar, sending Vanderbilt into half with the lead.

:08: Cook is sacked on a 4th-and-3 near midfield. Missouri unable to capitalize on a double-dip opportunity. Vanderbilt has a chance to get in range to kick a field goal, starting at the Missouri 43.

1:00: Missouri forces a three-and-out and will have the chance to score to end the half. The Tigers are set to receive the ball to open the second half.

• Vanderbilt Safety Dontae Carter has been carted into the locker room.

1:20 (10-10): An incompletion from Cook intended for Mehki Miller on 3rd-and-6 causes Missouri to settle for a FIELD GOAL again. Craig nails the 23-yard attempt this time.

• Vanderbilt secondary is working shorthanded for this last drive of the hafl. Safeties De'Rickey Wright and Dontae Carter are on the sideline being evaluated for injury. CJ Taylor is suspended for the first half due to a targeting penalty last week.

4:49: The Missouri defense has been stellar on third downs so far today. Defensive end Eddie Kelly pressured Pavia, forcing him to spin into the arms of linebacker Chuck Hicks for a 12-yard sack.

6:48: Blake Craig's 24-yard kick attempt doinks off the right upright. First time this season Missouri failed to score in the red zone.

7:15: Quarterback Brady Cook is stuffed on a QB draw on a 3rd-and-1 at the Vanderbilt 6. Field goal coming up.

• Patterson is now back in play.

• Vanderbilt starting linebacker Langston Patterson entered the medical tent but is now back on the sideline.

11:38: Running back Nate Noel breaks free on a run through an open hole created by the right side of the offensive line. 32-yard gain, the Tigers' longest of the day.

13:20: Missouri starts the drive at their own two-yard line after returner Marvin Burks has to recover a bouncy kick off, just barely avoiding his own end zone.

14:09 (7-10): Missouri defensive end welcomes himself into the backfield to blow up a read option that Pavia held on to. The stop on 3rd-and-3 causes Vanderbilt to settle for a FIELD GOAL.

First Quarter:

• 0:00: Vanderbilt offense is paper cutting this Missouri defense, with a few chunk plays mixed in. Design runs and scrambles from Pavia have kept the Tigers on their toes. Pavia rushed for 36 yards down the left sideline to put Vanderbilt in Missouri territory.

• Linebacker Corey Flagg has returned to the game after entering the medical tent earlier on.

3:51 (7-7): Cook finds Burden on a play-action rollout, setting Burden up for a 20-yard touchdown.

9:06 (0-7): Vanderbilt makes the first splash of the game, with Pavia stepping up in the pocket to deliver a 65-yard TOUCHDOWN to a wide-open Joseph McVay.

• Missouri linebacker Corey Flagg has entered the medical tent.

11:08: Missouri offense charged with an illegal formation penalty on 3rd-and-9. Penalties have been an issue for the Tigers offense all season.

12:20: Luther Burden III swerves and breaks a tackle on a punt return for 24 yards. Missouri starting their drive at the Missouri 47.

12:39 A shovel pass that went backwards from Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia on 2nd down puts Vanderbilt at a 3rd-and-17. Pressure from defensive tackle Kristian Williams secures the three-and-out-stop.

Pre Game:

• Vanderbilt will receive the ball to start the game.

• 3:07 p.m. — less than 10 minutes before kickoff, rain has tapered off.

• 2:14 p.m. - 1 hour before gametime: still some light rain as fans begin to file into Memorial Stadium.

• A scout from the Miami Dolphins is expected to be in attendance for Saturday's game.

• Recruits expected to be in attendance for the game: Jackson Cantwell (2026 five-star OT), Brayden Robinson (2026 four-star WR), Zach Allen (2026 unranked WR), Hayden Mays (2026 unranked OL), Karsten Fiene (2026 unranked ATH/WR). More to be announced.

Final Availability Reports:

Missouri

S Joseph Charleston	Active
DE Darris Smith	Out (for season)
QB Sam Horn	Out (for season)

ESPN's Pete Thamel posted Friday that Charleston is expected to be active but not be starting.

Vanderbilt

DL Zaylin Wood	Out
CB Mark Davis	Out
Edge Boubacar Diakite	Out
OL Grayson Morgan	Out
S CJ Taylor	Suspended for 1st half
TE Eli Stowers	Active
TE Cole Spence	Active
Star Maurice Hampton	Active
TE Brycen Coleman	Active
DL Khordae Sanders	Active

How to Watch: No. 7 Missouri vs. Vanderbilt:

When: Saturday, September 21, 3:15 p.m.

TV: SEC Network: Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (color analyst), and Alyssa Lang (sideline)

Sirius XM: Ch. 191

Radio: Tiger Radio Network: (Play-by-play Mike Kelly, Analyst Howard Richards, Sideline Chris Gervino)

Series: Missouri leads 11-4-1 with the last matchup taking place in 2023.