Down 28-17 at the half, the Missouri Tigers defense put the clamps on Texas A & M’s high scoring offense as Missouri rallied for a 38-31 overtime win over the 16th ranked Aggies Saturday afternoon at College Station.

The Mizzou defense started the game holding A & M to two three and outs. Then A & M converted on 7 of 7 third downs, coming back from deficits of 7-0 and 14-7 to grab a 28-14 lead. Mizzou managed a field goal at the end of the first half from Trey Barrow, (in for the injured Grant Ressel) as he hit from 26 yards out, closing the Aggies lead to 11.

The Tigers opened the half with the ball but went three and out. With A & M moving down the field again, Aggie quarterback Ryan Tannehill completed a pass to Ryan Swope who fumbled. The ball was forced out by Randy Ponder and recoverd by Luke Lambert. However the Mizzou offense gave it right back when Henry Josey fumbled three plays later. Neither team could score in the third quarter.

Missouri was stopped on a 4th and one at the A & M 41, when Franklin was stopped on a sneak early in the fourth quarter failing to capitalize on good field position for the second time in the half. Then Ponder came up big again, picking off Tannehill and taking it back to the 30. Back to back rushing plays from Josey set up an eight yard score for James Franklin, cutting the lead to 28-24.

After a three and out, Josey busted a 43 yard run from the Mizzou 21 and then put the Tigers on top with an 11 yard run capping a six play drive.

A & M tied the game with a field goal on the ensuing possesion and were driving with under two minutes to go when Jacquies Smith stripped Tannehill of the ball giving the Tigers possession at their own 45. Franklin brought Mizzou into a 45 yard field goal attempt with :04 remaing and Barrow pushed it wide right.

Mizzou scored on their only possession of the overtime as Franklin hit Marcus Lucas for an 11 yard touchdown in the end zone. With A & M needing a touchdown on their possession, Dominque Hamilton tipped a Tannenhill pass at the line on fourth down capping Mizzou’s remarkable comeback.

Franklin was 16 of 24 for 198 yards and two touchdowns, plus he punished A & M tacklers for 97 yards on 24 carries. Josey just continues to amaze. The sophomore finished with 162 yards on 20 carries.