Nate Brown has two touchdown catches in the first half (photo/Mizzou Athletics)
Second quarter recap
Russell Hansbrough started the second quarter with a 24 yard gain to get the ball down to the seven. He then carried for five to the two. Mizzou was moving the ball on the ground, starting the drive with runs by Ish Witter of 17, 7 and 15.
A failed run by Drew Lock and incomplete pass led to a 21-yard field goal by Andrew Baggett. It was another 11 play drive, covering 72 yards.
Mizzou 10
Carolina 3
The momentum swung in the 2nd quarter when Mizzou knocked down a 3rd pass from USC quarterback Lorenzo Nunez. However, a targeting call and ejection was called on Terry Beckner Jr. giving USC a first down at the Mizzou 10. On another third and goal play, a scrambling Nunez flipped a pass in the area of Tiger CB Aarion Penton. The ball bounced out of his hands and fell into those of Gamecocks receiver Shon Carson. He caught it at the eight off the deflection and rolled into the endzone tying the game.
The play reminded me of the kicked touchdown catch by Nebraska in 1997. Another freaky play in the north end of Faurot Field.
Mizzou 10
Carolina 10
Drew Lock went back to work, hitting tight end Jason Reese on a 16 yard completion on third down, then a ten yard gain. Two plays later Lock found Wesley Leftwich for nine down to the ten. Then he threw an absolute bullet to Nate Brown for their second hook.
Lock went 7-for-7 on that drive.
Mizzou 17
Carolina 10
Nunez drove the Gamecocks to the Tiger 33 on a 3rd and five. Nunez dumped one off to Cooper who picked up 13 to keep their drive alive.
The Tigers picked up their fourth sack of the half when Kentrell Brothers, who was listed as questionable this week with an ankle and knee, dropped Nunez for a loss of six. A fourth and 11 turned, then false start penalty pushed an Elliot Fry field goal attempt to 44 yards, but it was wide right.
Mizzou took a knee and the lead into the half.
