Sept. 20, 2003
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In their first overtime since the Nov. 16, 2002, game against Texas A&M (at College Station), the Tigers won 41-40 with a rushing touchdown by QB Brad Smith and a point after kick from 36-yards out by Mike Matheny. (The last time MU went into overtime at home was against Colorado on Nov. 9, 2002).
Mizzou played its 9th overtime game since the inception of the current overtime procedures, giving MU the most overtime games in NCAA history. MU is 6-3 in those OT games, with the six wins marking the most of any team in NCAA history. Teams with the next-most OT games played are Mississippi, North Carolina State, Oregon and Washington State, all with eight apiece.
Missouri will head into their next game against Kansas (Sept. 26) with a 4-0 record. The Tigers are only the 12th team in 112 years of MU history to win their first four games.
In a rare occurrence, Missouri fumbled the ball for only the fourth time in four games. The fumble, recovered by DB Marcus Bacon, came on the opening kick-off.
In a career-long run, TB Zack Abron went for 64-yards breaking his prior record of 63-yards at Kansas State in 2001. The rush set MU up for their second touchdown of the game. Also note-worthy, QB Brad Smith aided in Abron's run, helping clear a path for Abron with a crushing block to spring his teammate.
In the first rushing touchdown allowed by Missouri this season, Middle Tennessee State RB Eugene Gross ran for a one-yard touchdown, bringing the Blue Raiders within two points of the Tigers (16-14) in the second quarter.
For the second week in a row, TB Zack Abron made a move up the career rushing yardage chart. With a total of 138 yards, Abron surpassed James Wilder ('78-80) for fifth overall. 615 yards separate Abron from the MU career rushing leader Brock Olivio (3,026 yards from 1994-97).
The 138 yards compiled by TB Zack Abron was a season high for Missouri and came within nine yards of becoming Abron's career-high (147 vs. Iowa State in 2001).
Coming within 11-yards of his career-best rush, QB Brad Smith ran the ball for season-long 64-yards during the second quarter. Abron and Smith stand tied for the longest run on the season.
TB Zack Abron had his eighth 100-yard rushing game today against Middle Tennessee State. His last 100-yard game was against Texas A&M on Nov. 16, 2002, also the last time Missouri went into overtime.
With a final score of 41-40, Missouri allowed the most points in a game since playing Colorado in overtime at home (42-35).
QB Brad Smith threw for three touchdown passes during the game against Middle Tennessee State, improving on the previous season-high of two set at the season-opener against Illinois (Aug. 30) and Eastern Illinois (Sept. 13).
Bringing in two touchdown receptions on the game, WR Darius Outlaw stands with the most TD receptions in a game on the season.
QB Brad Smith tied his career-best number of touchdown passes at three. His toss increases the single-game high to five times under head coach Gary Pinkel. The last time Smith threw three touchdown passes was during the Texas Tech game in 2002.