When looking at the Missouri Tigers’ tough 2015 football schedule, there are plenty of teams that look like challenging opponents for Gary Pinkel’s squad. Playing in the SEC, the Tigers have games against teams like Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, and Mississippi State as well as non-conference games against squads like BYU.
One of the teams on Missouri’s schedule that didn’t exactly strike fear into their hearts was the University of Connecticut. Following a 2-10 season in which the Huskies played a fairly weak schedule, Missouri’s game against UConn seemed like an easy game and potential laugher.
However, the Huskies gave the Tigers all they could handle in their Week 3 matchup as #22 Missouri needed a third-quarter touchdown to come from behind and squeak past the surprising Huskies (2-1) 9-6 at home.
Missouri struck first with a first-quarter safety, taking an early 2-0 lead but it was their only score of the first half as UConn’s defense shut them down. The Tigers got the ball following the safety and starting quarterback Maty Mauk threw an interception, giving UConn the ball at the Missouri 35-yard line.
Bryant Shirreff connected for 29 yards with Noel Thomas (7 receptions, 86 yards) to set up a first and goal from the six-yard line. Two plays later, running back Ron Johnson bulled in for a touchdown. The extra point attempt was blocked but the Huskies led 6-2. The game stayed that way for a while as neither team allowed a point. Missouri had a chance in the second quarter when they drove deep into UConn territory but the Tigers were unable to convert on a 3rd & 2 from the Huskies’ 22-yard line. They attempted a 40-yard field goal but the attempt missed the uprights and the score remained 6-2.
UConn missed a golden opportunity of their own late in the first half when Missouri fumbled a UConn punt and the Huskies recovered the ball at the Missouri 25-yard line. However a 2-yard run and two incomplete passes quickly led to a 4th & 8 at the 23 yard line. UConn elected not to try a field goal from that distance and went for the first down but their pass attempt fell incomplete and UConn left several points on the field. They held Missouri in check for the rest of the half and went to the locker rooms with a surprising four-point lead.
The Huskies received the 2nd half kickoff and went on a long drive downfield but stalled at the Missouri 32-yard line. Faced with a 4th & 4, UConn decided to attempt a field goal to push their lead to seven points but the 49-yard attempt missed and the score stayed 6-2. That proved costly as Missouri proceeded to drive down the field, chewing up over 6 ½ minutes of clock time in a 15-play drive that resulted in their only offensive score of the game. Missouri was forced to overcome a personal foul that put them in a 1st & 25 situation but a 20-yard completion and nine-yard run garnered the first down. That rush brought the Tigers to the Connecticut 4-yard line but the Huskies almost came up with a great defensive stand. They stopped leading rusher Ish Witter (17 carries, 54 yards) a yard short of the end zone on first down and then breached the Missouri offensive line to take Witter down in the backfield on second down. An incomplete pass later and Missouri was faced with a 4th & goal from two yards out. However, Mauk put his head down and ran the ball in himself on fourth down and Missouri finally jumped into the lead at 9-6. UConn had plenty of time left to score but on their next three possessions, they garnered just 43 yards of offense and punted three times.
Despite this however, the Connecticut deficit remained just three points as their defense kept Missouri off the board. With about 4 ½ minutes remaining, the Huskies got the ball at their own 33-yard line and marched up the field, deep into Missouri territory. They stalled at the Missouri 25-yard line and were faced with a 4th & 4. A field goal would tie the game and the Huskies set up for the 42-yard attempt. However, holder Tim Boyle picked up the snap and looked to fire the ball downfield. However, his intended receiver was well covered as Missouri’s Anthony Sherrils picked off the desperation heave to clinch the victory.
Missouri walked off the field winners with a 3-0 record but fans have to be wondering if the Tigers deserve to be on the same field with some of their elite SEC competition after their narrow victory against Connecticut.