Mizzou stumbles at South Carolina as CFP chances disappear

The South Carolina Gamecocks beat the Missouri Tigers on Saturday afternoon by a score of 34-30, improving their own College Football Playoff chances while ending MU’s hopes for a spot in the new 12-team playoff. 

The loss ended Missouri’s strong run of success in one-score game, with the Tigers having won eight-straight of those contests prior to Saturday’s stumble.  The Mayor’s Cup, awarded to the winner of the game, goes to South Carolina for the first time since 2018. 

Running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders scored the game-winning touchdown with 15 seconds left on the clock, breaking numerous tackles in the course of a 15-yard touchdown pass.  Sanders effort spoiled a superlative Missouri comeback in the second half, with the Tigers overcoming a 15-point deficit and taking the lead on a 4th-down touchdown catch by junior wide receiver Luther Burden III. 

With victories over Mississippi State and Arkansas to finish the season, Missouri would go 9-3, and while it would be very unlikely that a spot in the playoff would be coming the Tigers way, a solid bowl game is still very much in the cards. 

Nate Noel, in Saturday’s setback, had 27 carries for 150 yards, becoming the first triple-digit rusher the Gamecocks defense has allowed this season.  Brady Cook, battling through a myriad of injuries, was 12 of 31 for 237 yards.