Gabe DeArmond
PowerMizzou.com Publisher
Missouri lost to Alabama 42-13 in the SEC Championship Game on Saturday.PowerMizzou.com breaks down the win.
The Turning Point: Rarely has one play been so detrimental to a team. Blake Sims threw a 58-yard touchdown pass to DeAndrew Whiteto give the Crimson Tide a 14-3 lead. But that wasn't the most damaging part of the play. Shane Ray was flagged for targeting and was ejected from the game after a late hit on Sims. There was 11:42 left in the second quarter, but it felt like the game was over. Missouri did make a third quarter comeback, but ultimately the hole was too deep.
Tim Nwachukwu
Ray was ejected for targeting early in the second quarter of Mizzou's 42-13 loss.
Offensive Player of the Game: After a first quarter drop that has become rather habitual, Jimmie Huntcame up with six catches for a career-high 169 yards, consistently beating out the Alabama defensive backs for jump balls in the second half.
Defensive Player of the Game: This one goes to Lucas Vincent. Playing in the 51st game of his career, the senior defensive tackle had seven tackles, two for a loss, a sack and a hurry. Honorable mention to Charles Harris who stepped in when Ray went out and held his own against the Bama offensive line, contributing a big hurry that ended a third quarter drive by the Tide. He's not there yet, but he gave his all in a tough spot.
What Went Right: Missouri, again, proved that it has heart and fight. The Tigers did not mail it in down 21-3 at halftime as so many of us (yes, us includes me) did. They battled back. Hunt made plays. They just couldn't quite get over the hump. When it came down to crunch time, Alabama made the plays and wore the Tigers down, outscoring Mizzou 21-0 in the fourth quarter. That's why the Tide will enter the College Football Playoff as the odds-on favorite while Missouri awaits its bowl fate later Sunday afternoon.
What Went Wrong: Sims was 14-16 for 143 yards and a touchdown in the first half. The Tide ran for 92 yards. And that could all have been overcome, or at least minimized, had Missouri been able to do anything on offense. The Tigers had 108 total yards in the first half (and 47 of those came on two plays). Mizzou had four first downs, four penalties and five punts. What went wrong? Just about everything in the first half. And when it absolutely had to have a stop, the Tiger defense was simply outmatched by Sims and his receivers along with a healthy dose of Derrick Henry.
GRADES: Offense C-: After a dreadful first half that was reminiscent of much of Missouri's season, the Tigers woke up in the second. It was a bit too little and a bit too late. Still a substandard performance, but much better than the grade would have been at halftime. ... Defense C-: Bama's got a great offense and maybe this is too harsh. But this Missouri team has needed greatness from its defense all season long. It didn't get it on Saturday ... Special Teams: B: It was fine. Marcus Murphy looked uncomfortable fielding the first couple of punts, but he did catch them. The kicking games didn't hurt Missouri. But they didn't make a difference either. ... Coaching: D: I don't know if Missouri could have devised the game plan that would have won this one, particularly after Ray's ejection. But for a program that is on a constant crusade for national respect, playing like this on a national stage isn't exactly ideal.
Up Next: Missouri awaits its postseason destination. The Tigers' bowl game will be announced tomorrow afternoon. Missouri will hold a 5:30 p.m. press conference to announce the bowl game and PowerMizzou.com will provide complete coverage.
https://missouri.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1712676
PowerMizzou.com Publisher
Missouri lost to Alabama 42-13 in the SEC Championship Game on Saturday.PowerMizzou.com breaks down the win.
The Turning Point: Rarely has one play been so detrimental to a team. Blake Sims threw a 58-yard touchdown pass to DeAndrew Whiteto give the Crimson Tide a 14-3 lead. But that wasn't the most damaging part of the play. Shane Ray was flagged for targeting and was ejected from the game after a late hit on Sims. There was 11:42 left in the second quarter, but it felt like the game was over. Missouri did make a third quarter comeback, but ultimately the hole was too deep.
Tim Nwachukwu
Ray was ejected for targeting early in the second quarter of Mizzou's 42-13 loss.
Offensive Player of the Game: After a first quarter drop that has become rather habitual, Jimmie Huntcame up with six catches for a career-high 169 yards, consistently beating out the Alabama defensive backs for jump balls in the second half.
Defensive Player of the Game: This one goes to Lucas Vincent. Playing in the 51st game of his career, the senior defensive tackle had seven tackles, two for a loss, a sack and a hurry. Honorable mention to Charles Harris who stepped in when Ray went out and held his own against the Bama offensive line, contributing a big hurry that ended a third quarter drive by the Tide. He's not there yet, but he gave his all in a tough spot.
What Went Right: Missouri, again, proved that it has heart and fight. The Tigers did not mail it in down 21-3 at halftime as so many of us (yes, us includes me) did. They battled back. Hunt made plays. They just couldn't quite get over the hump. When it came down to crunch time, Alabama made the plays and wore the Tigers down, outscoring Mizzou 21-0 in the fourth quarter. That's why the Tide will enter the College Football Playoff as the odds-on favorite while Missouri awaits its bowl fate later Sunday afternoon.
What Went Wrong: Sims was 14-16 for 143 yards and a touchdown in the first half. The Tide ran for 92 yards. And that could all have been overcome, or at least minimized, had Missouri been able to do anything on offense. The Tigers had 108 total yards in the first half (and 47 of those came on two plays). Mizzou had four first downs, four penalties and five punts. What went wrong? Just about everything in the first half. And when it absolutely had to have a stop, the Tiger defense was simply outmatched by Sims and his receivers along with a healthy dose of Derrick Henry.
GRADES: Offense C-: After a dreadful first half that was reminiscent of much of Missouri's season, the Tigers woke up in the second. It was a bit too little and a bit too late. Still a substandard performance, but much better than the grade would have been at halftime. ... Defense C-: Bama's got a great offense and maybe this is too harsh. But this Missouri team has needed greatness from its defense all season long. It didn't get it on Saturday ... Special Teams: B: It was fine. Marcus Murphy looked uncomfortable fielding the first couple of punts, but he did catch them. The kicking games didn't hurt Missouri. But they didn't make a difference either. ... Coaching: D: I don't know if Missouri could have devised the game plan that would have won this one, particularly after Ray's ejection. But for a program that is on a constant crusade for national respect, playing like this on a national stage isn't exactly ideal.
Up Next: Missouri awaits its postseason destination. The Tigers' bowl game will be announced tomorrow afternoon. Missouri will hold a 5:30 p.m. press conference to announce the bowl game and PowerMizzou.com will provide complete coverage.
https://missouri.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1712676
