Mizzou Football Falls at Mississippi State in Regular Season Finale

Saturday, December 19

Starkville, MS

2:30 P.M. CT

University of Missouri

5-5 , 5-5

Mississippi State

3-7 , 3-7

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Missouri

Mississippi State

Mizzou Football Falls at Mississippi State in Regular Season Finale

12/19/2020 6:29:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Mizzou finishes the regular season 5-5, awaits bowl game selection Sunday

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mizzou Football (5-5, 5-5 SEC) fell to Mississippi State (3-7, 3-7 SEC), 51-32, in its regular season finale on Saturday (Dec. 19) at Davis Wade Stadium. Despite the loss, Mizzou still finishes with its second-most league wins in ever, trailing only the 2013 and 2014 teams, which each won seven games.

Senior RB Larry Rountree (Raleigh, N.C.) rushed for a game-high 121 yards on a game-high 25 attempts and scored a pair of touchdowns to tie for the second-most rushing TDs in Mizzou school history with 40 in his career. Unfortunately for Mizzou, the defense was forced to play short-handed in the secondary, down several starters due to injury, and struggled to slow Mike Leach's air-raid offense.

QUICK RECAP

Mizzou opened the game with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that resulted in an 18-yard touchdown run from senior running back Larry Rountree III (Raleigh, N.C.). The Tiger defense then made a stop on Mississippi State's first possession, but a muffed fair catch on the ensuing punt resulted in a fumble recovery for a Bulldog touchdown. Mississippi State tacked on another 10 points to grab a 17-7 lead.

A field goal from Harrison Mevis (Warsaw, Ind.) brought Mizzou within seven points at 17-10, but Mississippi State responded with another 17 straight points to increase its lead to 24 at 34-10. The Tigers added a third-quarter touchdown, and got an end-zone interception from S Joshuah Bledsoe (Houston, Texas) on the next possession as they attempted a comeback. Unfortunately for Mizzou, QB Connor Bazelak (Dayton, Ohio) threw an interception on the ensuing possession and Mississippi State put the game away from there.

TOP TIGERS

Rountree was a workhorse all game for the Tigers, tallying 121 yards on 25 attempts and two scores. With his two trips to the end zone, Rountree moved into to second place on Mizzou's all-time career rushing touchdowns list with 40, passing Corby Jones (38, 1995-98) and tying Zack Abron (40, 2000-03). It also marked the 14^th time in Rountree's career he has reached 100 yards, the second-most of any Tiger all-time.
Sophomore LB Devin Nicholson (Detroit, Mich.) recorded a team-high 13 tackles in the game.
Senior S Joshuah Bledsoe (Houston, Texas) recorded her first career interception with a fourth quarter pick. He also had a pair of pass breakups.
Sophomore DT Isaiah McGuire had a forced fumble and a career-high two sacks for the Mizzou defense.
Shawn Robinson played at defensive back Saturday and posted five tackles with a half tackle for loss. He also added a pass breakup and a fourth-quarter interception.
Sophomore Jalani Williams collected seven tackles with a pair of pass breakups.
Sophomore TE Niko Hea tallied his second career TD grab with a 24-yard fourth-quarter grab.
Senior WR Keke Chism posted a game-high six catches with his first Division I score.

UP NEXT

Saturday's game concludes the regular season for the Tigers as they finish 5-5. Mizzou will now wait for its bowl game destination, which will be announced Sunday, Dec. 20.

For all the latest on Mizzou Football, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Twitter (@MizzouFootball) and like the team on Facebook and Instagram.