In Depth | Lee's Pick Six Helps Tigers to Big First Half at Vanderbilt
11/19/2017 10:51:00 AM | Football
Lee took his first career pick to the house to put the game on ice.
Mizzou picked up right where it left off on the offensive end tonight as Drew Lock marched the Tiger offense down the field on an eight-play, 71-yard touchdown drive on the game's opening possession. On a third and goal, Lock found his favorite red zone target, TE Albert Okwuegbunam, in the end zone to open the scoring against Vanderbilt.
His first touchdown strike of the night was Lock's 36th of the season, trailing only Chase Daniel for the most single season passing touchdowns in program history and tying Peyton Manning, Tim Couch and Aaron Murray for fourth place in SEC history. History was also made on the receiving end of the play as Mizzou freshman tight end Albert Okwuegbunam hauled in his eighth touchdown of the season, putting him in a tie for second place among all NCAA tight ends and just one behind Boise State's Jake Roh for most in the country.
Lock finished the game with three touchdowns, giving him 38 on the year, the best mark in the country. Albert O's second touchdown of the game gives him nine on the season, tying Jeremy Maclin for the most ever by a Mizzou freshman.
But the real turning point in this game came on the defensive side when LB Brandon Lee scored on a 41-yard pick-six with 7:33 left in the second quarter put Mizzou up by 21 and put the game out of reach. The swarming Mizzou defense gave Vanderilt QB Kyle Shurmur and the Commodore offense problems all game, but the play by Lee midway through the second quarter was the real nail in the coffin.
Lee read the play perfectly and jumped in front of the Shurmur pass, making several Vanderbilt players miss on his 41-yard saunter to the end zone. The big play by the junior linebacker fired up the Mizzou sideline and sparked the dominant play on offense, defense and special teams that allowed the Tigers to cruise into bowl eligibility.
The floodgates really opened for the Tigers following the touchdown by Lee. Richaud Floyd tiptoed down the sidelines for a 30-yard score with just under five minutes to go in the half. Lee then threw the key block on a 74-yard Floyd punt return touchdown that gave the Tigers a 35-point lead heading into halftime. Led by the fantastic linebacker play of Brandon Lee and Cale Garrett, the Mizzou defense pitched a shutout in the first half, allowing just 100 total yards and forcing two turnovers. The 35-0 lead at intermission was Mizzou's largest ever halftime lead in a league game since joining the SEC,
Mizzou won the battle in the trenches in the second half, winning the turnover battle and overcoming an offensive surge by the Commodores, forcing a turnover on downs in the red zone with 10:50 to go in the game to secure their fifth victory in a row. The Tigers played a well-rounded game, scoring on offense, defense and special teams, winning by a final score of 45-17.
Mizzou has now scored more than 45 points in five consecutive games for the first time in program history and has also held opponents to 17 points or fewer in each of the past four contests. The Tigers become just the 14th FBS team ever to start the season 1-5 and still reach bowl eligibility.
The Tigers look to keep it rolling and extend their winning streak as they wrap up their regular season next Friday afternoon against the Arkansas Razorbacks. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. on CBS.
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