The energy was high as Mizzou took the field for their season opener (photo/Emily Dayton)

The energy was high as Mizzou took the field for their season opener (photo/Emily Dayton)

First Quarter Recap

Russell Hansbrough got the start at tailback and rattled off an 18 yard run from scrimmage on a draw play. Two plays later, Maty Mauk found Darius White on a seam route for 44 yards and a 7-0 just :50 into the game.

Zach Zenner, back to back 2,000 yard rusher, busted off a 75 yard TD run on South Dakota State’s first play from scrimmage. 7-7, just 1:03 into the game.

Both teams traded punts on their next possessions, as the defense for both teams appeared to settle into the game.

Maty Mauk looks over the South Dakota defense in the first quarter (photo/Emily Dayton)

Maty Mauk looks over the South Dakota defense in the first quarter (photo/Emily Dayton)

However, Mizzou used a steady dose of  the run game with Hansbrough and Marcus Murphy, then Mauk hit White for the second time this quarter from 39 yards out.  His two touchdown catches for 83 yards gives him a career high in both categories.  The Tigers covered 69 yards in six plays, five runs and the one pass.

Duron Singleton picked off a pass that was tipped and returned it 19 yards to the Jackrabbits 10.  Hansbrough took the handoff, spun out of two tacklers and beat a corner to the sideline before diving in for the Tigers third touchdown, making the score 21-7 with 6:31 to play.

Singleton’s pick signals the 44th straight game that Mizzou has created a turnover…tops in the nation.

Mizzou drove down  to the SD State 17, but Andrew Baggett missed a 34-yard field goal attempt with just over two minutes to play in the first quarter.