2011: Mizzou 38 - Texas A&M 31

On October 29, 2011 the Missouri Tigers were struggling through a lackluster season. James Franklin was throwing the ball to the opposing defense more than his receivers and the Tigers were staring not making a bowl right in the face. They needed a spark.

Starting just 1-3 in their first three Big 12 games of the season, the Tigers made a trip down to College Station to face the then No. 16 Texas A&M Aggies, led by Ryan Tannehill. As the first half came to a close, it looked like more of the same for Gary Pinkel’s squad. Tannehill was carving up a defense that had been exposed all year by the likes of Landry Jones, Brandon Weeden, and Colin Klein, as the Tigers trailed 28-17 at the half with the lone bright spot being James Franklin’s epic run that earned him the name “Tanklin”.

Oh my goodness, this run was majestic. If this doesn’t get you out of your seat, you’re not a football fan, plain and simple.

When the Tigers took the field in the second half, everything changed. A rejuvenated defense and a confident James Franklin spearheaded a comeback that pushed the game to OT. From there, James Franklin delivered a game-winning TD pass to take down a top 25 opponent and cap an interception free game.

This big road-win changed the entire trajectory of the season as the Tigers would go from 3-4 to finish 8-5 with a win in the final border war game against Kansas and a convincing bowl win over North Carolina.