In a heart-pounding SEC showdown at Faurot Field, the No. 14 Missouri Tigers came agonizingly close to pulling off a signature upset but ultimately dropped a 27-24 decision to the No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday, October 11, 2025. The loss snapped Missouri’s perfect 5-0 start to the season, dropping them to 5-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play, while Alabama bounced back from an earlier stumble to improve to 5-1 (3-0 SEC).
The game was a defensive slugfest early on, with both teams trading blows in a first quarter that ended in a 7-7 tie. Missouri struck first when quarterback Beau Pribula hit wide receiver Brett Norfleet for a 26-yard touchdown strike, capping a swift 78-yard drive. Alabama answered swiftly, marching 78 yards in 11 plays before Ty Simpson found Kevin Riley for a 6-yard score to even things up.
The second quarter belonged to the Crimson Tide, who built a 17-10 halftime lead behind another Simpson-to-Isaiah Horton touchdown connection from 16 yards out and a 46-yard field goal from kicker Conor Talty. Missouri managed to chip away with a 35-yard boot from Robert Meyer just before the break, keeping the deficit manageable at seven points.
Missouri’s defense stepped up in the third, forcing a quick three-and-out before Pribula scampered in from five yards out to knot the game at 17-17. Alabama regained the edge late in the frame with Talty’s 22-yard field goal, but the Tigers’ momentum carried into the fourth.
With the score 20-17 entering the final period, Alabama appeared to seize control when Simpson threaded a 1-yard dagger to Daniel Hill, pushing their lead to 27-17 with 3:16 left. But Missouri refused to fade. Pribula, who finished with 167 passing yards and two scores to go with 61 rushing yards, orchestrated a 75-yard scoring drive, finding Donovan Olugbode for a 3-yard touchdown to pull within 27-24 with 1:40 remaining. The Tigers’ defense held firm, stuffing Alabama on a three-and-out to regain possession at midfield.
What followed was pure drama: Missouri advanced to Alabama’s territory, but a costly turnover on downs handed the ball back to the Tide with under a minute left, allowing them to kneel out the clock and escape with the win. The Tigers outgained Alabama slightly in total yards (330-325) but were done in by two turnovers to the Crimson Tide’s one, while Alabama dominated time of possession at nearly 39 minutes.
Pribula’s dual-threat performance headlined Missouri’s effort, but Simpson’s poise in the clutch— including key conversions on 4th down—proved the difference for Alabama, who converted all three of their attempts. This gritty victory marked Alabama’s third straight win over ranked foes, underscoring their resilience under pressure.
Missouri heads into a tough road test at Auburn next Saturday, looking to rebound and stay in the SEC hunt. For the Tigers, the near-miss leaves a bitter taste but plenty of fight for the stretch run.
