University of Missouri
Colorado
Missouri Defeats Colorado, 36-17
10/31/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 31, 2009
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| Highlights
By Clyde Verdin
Mizzou Media Relations Assistant
BOULDER, Colo. - In what was considered a must-win game for the Missouri football team to remain in the Big 12 North race, the Tigers exploded for 21 points in the first quarter en route to a 36-17 win over the Colorado Buffaloes Saturday afternoon.
The win gives puts Mizzou at 5-3 on the year and 1-3 in the Big 12, giving the Tigers their first conference win of the season. Colorado drops to 2-6 on the year and 1-3 in the Big 12. Although you'd be hard pressed to hear anybody on the team say it, the Tigers put them in a better position to remain contenders for a third division crown.
On the first drive of the game, the Tigers wasted no time storming out of the gate, and the offense that had been struggling as of late went on an 11-play, 81-yard drive to draw first blood, as Derrick Washington put Mizzou up 7-0 on a one-yard touchdown run. The drive took nearly five minutes off the clock in the quarter, and was the epitome of balanced with seven of the 11 plays coming from the run game.
The second drive of the game took up considerably less time off the clock, but was exciting still as the combo of Gabbert-to-Alexander connected on a 73-yard score to put the Tigers up 14-0 midway through the first. It was the first time that the duo have hooked up for a touchdown since the game against Oklahoma State two weeks ago.
The defense's first big play of the game came on Colorado's second drive, where after one play Will Ebner got to Buffs quarterback Tyler Hansen causing a fumble that was recovered by Zaviar Gooden at the Colorado six-yard line. The Buffs held on downs as the Tigers tried to punch it in on a 4th-and-goal from the two, only to be stopped short.
With the quarter coming to a close, the defense put Colorado deep in its own territory, and gave Mizzou great field position for another scoring drive. After a 31-yard gain by De'Vion Moore to the CU 33-yard line, Gabbert connected with Alexander again on a two-yard touchdown pass to go up 21-0.
On the Tigers' first drive of the second quarter, it looked like another scoring opportunity for Missouri, running eight total plays during the drive led by the rushing of Washington who earned 38 yards on that drive alone. Unfortunately, a heads up play by Colorado's Jimmy Smith in the red zone ended the Tiger drive as he intercepted a Gabbert pass at the ten-yard line.
It didn't matter though, because on the very first play by the Buffs, Hansen fumbled the snap and was quickly pounced on by MU's Jacquies Smith at the Colorado nine-yard line. The Tigers would run three plays on the resulting drive and resulted in a 29-yard field goal by Grant Ressel to put the Tigers up 24-0.
A penalty by Colorado on the kickoff pushed the Buffs back to their seven-yard line, and on the very next play, the Tiger defense once again got past the Colorado line and dropped Hansen in the end zone for a Missouri safety making the score 26-0. Safety Jarrell Harrison was credited with the sack, while Gooden was also in on the big play.
Tasting blood, the Tigers received the ball on the free kick with the drive beginning on their 40. The team ate up 34 yards on passes of 10 and 14 yards from Gabbert to Jared Perry and Alexander and a 10-yard rush by Kendial Lawrence. Even Gabbert got in on the action, testing out that ankle on a four-yard gain.
But the signature play came on the field goal attempt after the drive stalled out at the CU 24-yardline. With Ressel setting up for the attempt to put the Tigers up by 29, the snap was quickly picked up by Forrest Shock and pitched to Jacquies Smith, who scrambled around the left hand side and into the end zone. The extra point by Ressel put the Tigers up 33-0.
A complete half from the Tigers was evident in the discrepancy in first half stats between the two teams. The Tigers had over 300 total yards in the half while the Buffaloes barely had 100. Colorado had less than ten yards rushing in the half, while Mizzou broke 100 rushing yards in the first quarter. The defense sacked Hansen four times in the first half, one of the reasons the Buffs only scored three points in the entire half.
The Buffs put together their first complete drive of the game to start the third quarter, taking eight plays and more than three minutes to score their first touchdown of the game making the score 33-10 still in favor of the Tigers.
The only miscue of the game that hurt Mizzou came later in the third. At the CU 25-yard line, Gabbert tried a pass to the right flat for TE Andrew Jones, but it was read by Benjamin Burney who intercepted the pass and ran 78 yards the other way to the end zone making the score a little tighter at 33-17.
With the Buffs starting to give Missouri fits on both sides of the ball, the defense gave the Tigers momentum the team needed by stopping Colorado on a fourth-and-one deep in Tiger territory. Although the offense would punt on its next possession, the Tigers came up big again, with Kevin Rutland intercepting Hansen to kill the drive.
The final score for the Tigers came after the defense stopped Colorado on a desperation fourth-and-six at the Colorado 22-yard line. At that point there was a very small chance the Buffs could score and the Tigers just wanted to run clock, running only four plays, allowing Grant Ressel to boot a 33-yard field goal to make the final score 36-17 in favor of the Tigers.
Offensively, Gabbert finished the game going 17-for-29 for 192 yards two touchdowns and two interceptions, while Washington just missed the 100-yard rushing mark finishing with 99 on 22 carries. Alexander led all receivers with 123 yards on eight catches and two touchdowns
The Tiger defense was stout on Saturday, only giving up 10 points in the game, while holding the Buffs offense to 176 total yards and -14 yards rushing in the game. The four turnovers caused by the team were split between two interceptions and two fumbles.
The Tigers return to Columbia next week, hosting Baylor at 1 p.m.
Associated Press Recap
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - Danario Alexander caught two touchdown passes while Missouri's swarming defense had eight sacks and forced four turnovers, helping the Tigers hold off Colorado, 36-17, on Saturday to end a three-game slide.
The Tigers (5-3, 1-3 Big 12) jumped out to a big lead, scoring 33 straight points, and appeared on their way to another rout of Colorado (2-6, 1-3).
Instead, the Tigers had to hold off the Buffaloes' second-half surge. The defense came up big in the final quarter, ending three Colorado drives on fourth-down stops and another on an interception.
Derrick Washington rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown, while Alexander finished with eight catches for 123 yards.
Blaine Gabbert hardly looked hobbled by a right ankle sprain in the first half, leading the Tigers to a 33-3 lead at halftime. The offense bogged down in the second half, gaining just 94 yards.
Gabbert finished 17 of 29 for 192 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw two interceptions.
The Buffaloes began working their way back into the game by scoring on the opening drive of the second half when Stewart went in from 3 yards out.
Soon after, Colorado safety Benjamin Burney jumped in front of a Gabbert pass with Missouri on the move and raced 78 yards for the score, quickly cutting the Tigers' lead to 33-17.
That's when Missouri clamped down on defense, coming up with one clutch stop after another. Defensive end Aldon Smith led the way, finishing with three sacks and a fumble recovery.
The Tigers hounded Tyler Hansen all afternoon, constantly making him scramble to avoid trouble. Hansen finished with 190 yards passing and minus-34 yards rushing. He also fumbled the ball three times and was sacked for a safety.
Missouri scored 21 points in the first quarter as Washington scored from a yard out, while Alexander caught TD passes of 73 and 2 yards.
The Tigers kept the momentum going in the second when Grant Ressel hit a 29-yard field goal, followed by Jarrell Harrison sacking Hansen for a safety 10 seconds later.
Missouri turned to trickery for another score, converting on a fake field goal as holder Forrest Shock flipped the ball to Jacquies Smith, who danced around the end of the line and stepped out of a tackle before scurrying 24 yards for the touchdown.
The rout appeared on, just like the past two meetings where the Tigers won by a combined margin of 113-10.
With their 33-point start, the Tigers had a streak of 139 unanswered points against Colorado spanning the last three games, a streak finally halted by Aric Goodman's 48-yard field goal just before halftime for the Buffaloes.
It was a forgettable first half for Colorado, who gained just 55 total yards. Hansen also was sacked four times.
The first-half performance led to some disgruntled fans chanting for the firing of Hawkins. Colorado is 15-30 since Hawkins took over the program.
