After a rough debut in the SEC at home two weeks ago against previously 7th ranked Georgia, the results were not any better in Mizzou’s first road game in Columbia, South Carolina against this week’s 7th ranked Gamecocks. USC handed the Tigers a 31-10 loss, dropping Mizzou to 0-2 in the SEC.
South Carolina quarterback Conner Shaw missed his first pass attempt, then rattled off 20-straight completions for 249 yards and two touchdowns. The Gamecocks outgained the Tigers 390 to 255 yards.
USC running back Marcus Lattimore scored two first half touchdowns, giving him 33 career rushing scores and a new school record.
Mizzou was outplayed in every aspect of the game. Prior to putting together a 12 play, 76 yard drive late in the second quarter that ended with a 22 yard field goal from Andrew Baggett, the Tigers managed just 33 yards of offense.
AUDIO Gary Pinkel’s postgame comments
Trailing 14-3 with 1:40 to play, Mizzou allowed USC to return a kickoff 50 yards to midfield. Four plays later, Shaw found Ace Sanders from 23 yards out to take a 21-3 halftime lead. The Tigers gave up 158 return yards on punts and kickoffs combined. Sanders accounted for 106 of those return yards.
James Franklin was 11 of 18 for 92 yards. Corbin Berkstresser mopped up going 7 of 8 against backups, leading Mizzou to a one yard touchdown pass to Marcus Lucas. It was the first touchdown allowed by USC in the redzone in 11 trips by opponents this season.
Kendial Lawrence was held to 67 yards on 11 carries. He fumbled two pitch backs in the game which resulted in loss of yards for Mizzou.