No. 19 Missouri lost 31-24 to No. 24 Mississippi State after falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter. Daeden Hopkins recorded four sacks, while Austin Simmons connected with Cayden Lee 10 times for 148 yards and two touchdowns.
Missouri’s defense shut out Mississippi State in the second and third quarters, but gave up two long-drive touchdowns late, with a Missouri three-and-out between them. Hopkins stepped up after starter Darris Smith was ruled out with a lower-body injury and Langdon Kitchen left with a leg injury in the first quarter.
The article points to eight penalties for 91 yards, including two holding calls in the red zone, and conservative second-down play-calling. Missouri ran on seven first-half plays from second-and-eight or longer; the article counts only one as successful, leaving the offense in frequent third-and-long situations.
