Missouri lost 31-24 at Mississippi State, allowing nearly 500 total yards and three explosive plays despite forcing a turnover. The Tigers missed 13 tackles; Fluff Bothwell ran for 122 yards on 25 carries and forced nine missed tackles, per Pro Football Focus.
Mississippi State's veer-and-shoot offense repeatedly isolated defenders. The breakdowns included a 48-yard completion to Anthony Evans III and two Kamario Taylor touchdown passes to Sanfrisco McGee, including the 24-yard go-ahead score. Coach Eli Drinkwitz said two big plays could outweigh long stretches of strong defense.
Missouri forced Mississippi State into second- or third-and-long 10 times across three second-half scoring drives. But it missed tackles at key moments: Kolin Wilson gained 18 yards on third-and-4, and Bothwell turned a short route into a first down on third-and-9 during the Bulldogs' game-tying field-goal drive.
