COLUMBIA, Mo. – No. 7 Texas scored 14 fourth-quarter points to lead the Longhorns to a come-from-behind 34-20 victory over the No. 18 Missouri Tigers before the 25th consecutive sellout crowd at Memorial Stadium.
Texas improved to 7-2 (4-2 SEC) while Missouri fell to 6-3 (3-3). The two teams were playing for the first time since the 2017 Texas Bowl and the first time in the regular season since both programs were in the Big 12 in 2011 when Mizzou claimed a 17-5 home victory.
The game turned late in the third quarter after the Tigers had taken a 20-13 lead on a 72-yard touchdown pass from Austin Simmons to Naeshaun Montgomery, who caught a short out, spun out of a tackle by Jelani McDonald and sped down the sideline in front of the Missouri bench for the Tigers’ longest pass play of the season.
The Longhorns took their first lead of the game, 27-20, with 5:03 left in the game when Texas’ Arch Manning found running back Raleek Brown on a wheel route to the right that went for a 23-yard touchdown. Texas added a late score on an eight-yard run by Brown after a 44-yard fumble return by Graceson Littleton. Brown was the game’s leading rusher with 85 yards on 17 carries and caught six passes for 48 yards.
Manning completed 28-of-38 passes for 297 yards, while Simmons was 23-of-43 for 252 yards.
Opening the third quarter, Missouri faced a third-and-seven at the Texas 29. Cayden Lee, who had nine receptions for 79 yards, made a diving catch at the Texas 12. But the reception was overturned following video review, and instead of setting up with a first down in the redzone, Blake Craig kicked a 48-yard field goal that gave the Tigers a 13-10 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff return, Brian Huff jarred the ball loose from return may Ryan Niblett and Cameron Keys recovered for Mizzou at the Texas 30. But the Tigers were unable to take advantage when Craig missed a 46-yard field goal to the left.
The teams traded scoring plays in the first half. Missouri got on the board first, driving 68 yards in seven plays, and on fourth-and-goal at the Texas two-yard line, Simmons whipped a scoring pass out to the left to tight end Brett Norfleet.
Texas tied things at 7-7 on a 24-yard screen pass from Manning to running back Derek Cooper.
The Tigers took the lead after Jeremiah Beasley forced a fumble by Mosley that was recovered by safety Trajen Greco near midfield. Simmons moved the Tigers to the four-yard line before Craig kicked a 22-yard field goal to give Missouri a 10-7 lead.
In the second quarter, the Longhorns’ Jonathan Cunningham blocked a Brunno Reus punt that he recovered at the MU 39-yard line. The Missouri defense stiffened and Gianni Spetic kicked a 27-yard field goal with 1:57 left in the second quarter.
Spetic also kicked a 34-yard field goal in the third quarter that tied the score at 13-13.
Rodriguez led the Tigers with 12 tackles – his eighth consecutive game with double-digit stops to mark a program record – including a half sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. Safety Santana Banner added 10 tackles and one pass breakup. The Tigers held the Longhorns to 373 total yards and forced three fumbles.
UP NEXT
The Tigers hit the road again, traveling to Athens, Georgia for a bout with the Georgia Bulldogs. Game time between the hedges at Sanford Stadium on Sat., Nov. 14 will be either 2:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Central Time, and the game will be televised by ABC.