QUICK READ: Missouri 50, Tennessee 17

A tense first 28 minutes of game time gave way to a 32-minute romp to end the game for Missouri, as the Tigers turned 13-10 mistake-filed start into an impressive 50-17 rout over Tennessee.

Here’s the quick read from Missouri’s seventh win of the season.

The “Throw the Damn Towel!” Moment of the Game

It actually came after Missouri’s lone offensive misstep of the second half.

After Missouri answered a Tennessee touchdown with one of its own to start the third quarter, Tennessee RB Carlin Fils-Aime fumbled the ball two plays into the next drive. Missouri safety Joshuah Bledsoe scooped up the ball, managed to keep his knee of the ground, and returned it for a 39-yard touchdown.

Now leading 40-17, it was at that point where Missouri clearly put this one away. Tennessee wouldn’t threaten again.

The Miller High Life “Boy That Escalated Quickly” Moment of the Game

Remember, Missouri led this one just 13-10 late in the first half, after having to settle for two short field-goals after impressive drives stalled.

What appeared to be Missouri’s final drive of the first-half ended with an eight-yard touchdown pass from Drew Lock to Dominic Gicinto on a terrific smash route. After the PAT was blocked — seriously, Missouri special teams, what’s going on this year? — the Tigers led 19-10. Tennessee subsequently drove down the field, and on third-and-eight from Missouri’s 28, DeMarkus Acy picked off a Keller Chryst pass and returned it 76 yards, setting up an eventual three-yard touchdown pass from Lock to Johnathon Johnson.

Missouri 43, Tennessee 17: Final Stats

Passing the Torch

Drew Lock moved past former Georgia quarterback David Greene in SEC career-passing yards. A 24-yard third-quarter completion to Emanuel Hall gave Lock 11,574 career yards, giving Lock sole possession of second place.

Lock finished 21-of-30 for 257 yards and two touchdowns on the day; he was replaced more than halfway through the fourth quarter by Taylor Powell.

Leaving it all on the field

Tyler Badie didn’t lead Missouri in rushing — that would be Larry Rountree, who rushed for 135 yards on 26 carries. Badie only ran for 17 yards. However, he did have two catches for 36 yards, and both converted third downs.

On the first, Badie broke three tackles to convert a third-and-six that looked dead from the start.

His second reception, however, really bared how much he left on the field.

Roster report

• Scary moment for Richaud Floyd, as he was apparently knocked unconscious while fielding a punt in the fourth quarter. He was helped off the field, and didn’t look steady whatsoever. Tennessee’s Shanon Reid was called for targeting on the play and was ejected.
• Missouri had two targeting calls of its own: Tavon RossN was ejected in the first-half, and Nate Anderson was ejected in the fourth quarter after a peel-back block following DeMarkus Acy’s second interception of the day. Anderson will miss the first half of the Arkansas game on Friday.
• Damarea Crockett played sparingly in the first half, and then was ruled out at halftime with an apparent sprained ankle. Jalen Knox did not play with an apparent concussion.
• Tennessee QB Jarrett Guarantano was hit hard on the Volunteers’ first drive of the game, and returned for two more drives despite looking woozy and in pain on the sideline. He was eventually replaced by Keller Chryst, who completed 7 of 19 passes for 179 yards and two interceptions.
• Freshman running back Simi Bakare officially burned his redshirt, but he also picked up his first-career touchdown. On Missouri’s final scoring drive of the night, Bakare carried the ball nine times for 41 yards and scored from 2-yards out.

Next up for Missouri (7-4, 3-4)

Missouri hosts Arkansas at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23, on CBS. Missouri looks for its first eight-win season since 2014.

The Razorbacks just lost to Mississippi State (Missouri’s 2018 SEC West Doppelganger) 52-6 on Saturday and are 2-9 this season.