Week 8: First SEC Win
The Missouri Tigers took on the Kentucky Wildcats hoping for their first-ever SEC win at home Oct. 27. Mizzou, 3-4 before the game, was needing to prove the move to the SEC was not a terrible decision by going out and getting a victory over the Wildcats. The game was seen to be in the Tigers favor considering the Wildcats were 1-7 overall and 0-5 in SEC games. This game would end with Mizzou winning 33-10 and moving their overall record to 4-4 and SEC record to 1-4.

The first quarter was nearly a running quarter with Kendial Lawrence scoring a touchdown giving the Tigers a 7-0 lead. The Wildcats responded with a rushing touchdown of their own bringing the game to a draw at 7-7 with 8:02 left in the first quarter. Both teams came out the gate looking ready to go which meant that the game could be a strong offensive battle. Fortunately, it was for Mizzou with Andrew Baggett kicking a 44-yard field goal to give the Tigers a 10-7 lead heading into the second quarter. Both defenses seemed to be a little slow in the beginning of the first quarter by each letting up a touchdown, but eventually Mizzou’s defense showed they were ready to play as where Kentucky’s was not.

In the second quarter, Mizzou’s offense slowed down and did not score for their first couple of possessions, and Kentucky  tying the game at 10 with a field goal. Both offenses could not produce which let the defenses prove themselves to the fans. I was quite disappointed in both Mizzou quarterbacks: James Franklin and Corbin Berkstresser. I believed that both would shine against the not-so-good Kentucky team. I was wrong because it would be the Tigers MVP, Kendial Lawrence, who would steal the show and give Mizzou the lead back with another rushing touchdown, 17-10 heading into halftime.

The halftime speech must have been really good because for the remainder of the game the Mizzou defense shutout the Wildcats offense. With the defense playing well, the offense added a field goal and their third rushing touchdown making the lead 26-10. No, Kendial Lawrence did not produce the rushing touchdown, but still I loved to see the rushing game producing when the passing game isn’t. The defense was then rewarded with their hard work when a forced fumble was taken back for a touchdown to end the game at 33-10. The game was a good victory for Mizzou despite the quarterbacks only throwing for 87 yards total combined, but the win was still solid.

Next week Mizzou heads down Florida to face seventh ranked team in the nation in the Florida Gators. This game should be a good one for Mizzou’s running game because of the not so skilled defense of Florida. Until then MIZ-ZOU.