The Missouri Tigers hit the road for the first time this season, traveling to Auburn, Alabama, for a back-and-forth battle against the Auburn Tigers. It wasn’t pretty, but in the SEC, road wins rarely are. What unfolded inside Jordan-Hare Stadium was a test of grit, patience, and survival — and when the dust settled, Mizzou walked away with a 24–17 overtime victory that kept their postseason dreams intact. From the opening kickoff, it was clear both teams came ready to trade blows.
Auburn struck first, methodically marching down the field for a touchdown on their opening drive, putting Mizzou’s defense on its heels early. But Missouri quickly responded, using a balanced mix of short passes and timely runs to get into scoring position. A field goal from inside the red zone put them on the board, and a defensive stop late in the first quarter helped swing momentum back their way. As the second quarter unfolded, both teams struggled to find rhythm.
Auburn’s defensive front made life difficult for Mizzou’s offensive line, while Drew Pribula’s timing with his receivers seemed slightly off. Still, Mizzou managed to capitalize on a short field after an Auburn turnover, punching in a touchdown to take a 10–7 lead. That advantage held into halftime after Auburn missed a potential game-tying field goal in the final seconds before the break. Coming out of the locker room, neither team looked particularly sharp. The defenses dictated play, forcing punts, sacks, and errant throws.
For Mizzou, the offensive frustration continued on the ground. For the first time all season, the Tigers were held under 100 rushing yards, unable to generate much push up front. The offensive line — a group that’s been inconsistent all year — struggled to climb to the second level and open holes for the backs, leaving Pribula to shoulder the offensive load through the air. Then came the fourth quarter, where things finally came to life. Auburn took advantage of a short field to reclaim the lead at 17–10, and the crowd roared back into the game.
But Mizzou didn’t flinch. With just over five minutes left in regulation, Ahmad Hardy found a crease off the left edge and ran in the tying touchdown, knotting the score at 17 apiece. The defense held strong from there, forcing a crucial punt to send the game into overtime. Overtime was pure chaos. Both teams missed field goals in the first extra period, keeping the tension high inside Jordan-Hare. But when Missouri got the ball again, they stayed composed. On a third-and-long situation, Pribula dropped back, stood tall in the pocket, and delivered a strike for the go-ahead touchdown.
It was the kind of throw that defines a quarterback’s confidence — especially after throwing two interceptions earlier in the game, his second straight week with multiple picks. When Auburn took over for their final possession, Mizzou’s defense slammed the door. A relentless pass rush forced Jackson Arnold into desperation mode, and on fourth down, Missouri brought the house — sacking Arnold to seal the game and ignite celebrations on the visiting sideline.
Photo Cred: Mizzou
It wasn’t the cleanest performance by any stretch. The run game never found traction, and the offensive line continues to be the team’s biggest question mark heading into the heart of conference play. The inability to sustain blocks and climb to linebackers has limited Missouri’s ability to control tempo, and tougher defensive fronts are still on the horizon. Yet, despite those struggles, Pribula once again showed resilience. He finished with 252 yards passing and the game-winning touchdown, flashing the poise and leadership Missouri will need as the season wears on.
Defensively, the Tigers deserve much of the credit. After allowing a touchdown on the opening drive, they clamped down, holding Auburn to just 10 points through the remainder of regulation and overtime. The front seven generated consistent pressure, producing multiple key sacks and forcing Arnold to hesitate in the pocket. The secondary, meanwhile, executed their assignments well — blanketing Auburn’s receivers and forcing an early interception that set up Mizzou’s first scoring drive of the night.
With the win, Missouri improves to 6–1, keeping their postseason hopes very much alive. It may not have been a statement victory in style, but it was one that speaks volumes about their toughness. Winning ugly still counts, especially on the road in the SEC. Next week, the Tigers travel to Nashville to face the Vanderbilt Commodores in what could be a pivotal matchup for both programs. Each sits on the edge of College Football Playoff contention — long shots, perhaps, but not out of the picture.
The winner will emerge with a clear path forward, while the loser will be forced to play flawless football the rest of the season to stay in the hunt. For Missouri, that’s motivation enough. They’ve proven they can win at home, they’ve proven they can win ugly, and now they’ve proven they can win on the road. If they can clean up the mistakes and get the ground game back on track, this Tiger team might be just getting started.
