Missouri remained unbeaten with a 27-17 victory over Troy, but the Tigers had to work considerably harder than the predicted 38-14 score suggested.
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Predicted Score: Missouri 38, Troy 14
Actual Score: Missouri 27, Troy 17
Troy stunned Missouri immediately. Goose Crowder connected with TK Keyes on a 76-yard touchdown pass only 32 seconds into the game, and the Trojans built a 10-0 first-quarter lead.
Missouri responded with a huge second quarter.
DaMarion Fowlkes returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown, Austin Simmons connected with Donovan Olugbode for another score, and Jamal Roberts added a 13-yard touchdown run. Missouri scored 24 points in the quarter and turned the early deficit into a 24-17 halftime lead.
Roberts was the offensive workhorse, rushing 22 times for 128 yards and a touchdown. Missouri’s passing game was considerably quieter. Simmons completed 10 of 19 passes for only 91 yards, but he avoided turnovers and made enough plays to keep the offense functioning.
Statistically, Troy made the game uncomfortable. The Trojans outgained Missouri 323-230 and possessed the football for more than 37 minutes. Crowder threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns.
The difference was mistakes and special teams. Troy committed two turnovers while Missouri had none, and Fowlkes’ punt-return touchdown completely changed the momentum.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, and Missouri’s only second-half points came on a 36-yard field goal. Still, the Tigers protected their advantage and finished the job.
The result was closer than anticipated, but Missouri moved to 3-0. The biggest concern was offensive consistency: 230 total yards will not usually be enough against the stronger teams on Missouri’s SEC schedule. The positive was that the Tigers found other ways to win when the offense wasn’t at its best.
