No. 18 Missouri built an early lead and briefly held a one-score advantage late in the third quarter, but No. 7 Texas scored 21 unanswered points to pull away for a 34-20 win Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The loss dropped the Tigers to 6-3 overall and 3-3 in the SEC.
Missouri struck first. Austin Simmons connected with Brett Norfleet on a 2-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal to open a 7-0 lead. After Texas answered with a 24-yard Arch Manning touchdown pass to Derrek Cooper, Blake Craig’s 22-yard field goal put the Tigers back in front 10-7 at the end of the first quarter.
The game settled into a back-and-forth battle through the middle stages. Missouri and Texas traded field goals to leave it tied 10-10 at halftime. The Tigers had chances to create more separation but were hurt by a missed field goal from Craig in the second quarter and inconsistent special-teams play.
Missouri regained the lead late in the third quarter when Naeshaun Montgomery turned a short catch into a 72-yard touchdown, giving the Tigers a 20-13 edge and energizing the home crowd. Texas responded immediately. After a controversial review that gave the Longhorns a first down, Manning found Jermaine Bishop Jr. for a 25-yard touchdown to tie the game at 20-20.
From there, Missouri’s offense stalled. The Tigers were forced into consecutive punts, and Texas took its first lead of the game with 5:03 remaining when Manning hit Raleek Brown on a 23-yard wheel route for a touchdown. On Missouri’s next possession, a hit by Warren Roberson forced a fumble from Cayden Lee that Texas recovered deep in Tiger territory. Brown’s 8-yard run moments later sealed the 34-20 final.
Simmons finished 23-of-43 for 252 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Montgomery’s long score was the highlight of the receiving corps, while Cayden Lee led the team with nine catches for 79 yards. Jamal Roberts, the SEC’s leading rusher, was held to 66 yards on 19 carries as Texas loaded the box and limited explosive runs.
Defensively, Missouri recorded three sacks and forced multiple turnovers earlier in the game, but the unit could not slow Manning in the second half. The Texas quarterback completed 28 of 38 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns. Texas also controlled the clock and converted key third downs late to take over the game.
The result was a frustrating one for the Tigers, who showed they could hang with a ranked SEC opponent for three quarters before the fourth-quarter collapse. Missouri travels to No. 2 Georgia next Saturday.
