Mississippi State denies Missouri’s fourth-quarter comeback

No. 24 Mississippi State stopped two late Missouri threats and defeated the No. 19 Tigers 31-24 on Saturday night at Davis Wade Stadium. Missouri erased a 14-0 deficit and led 24-17 before the Bulldogs answered with two fourth-quarter touchdowns in the Tigers’ SEC opener.

Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons twice connected with former Ole Miss teammate Cayden Lee for third-quarter scores. A 54-yard kickoff return by DaMarion Fowlkes set up Lee’s 21-yard catch and run. The touchdown completed a 17-0 Missouri scoring surge for a 17-14 lead. Simmons later found Lee for a 28-yard touchdown that pushed the margin to 24-17.

Lee finished with 11 catches for 156 yards. Simmons completed 23 of 39 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns, while Jamal Roberts carried 26 times for 95 yards. Donovan Olugbode caught a touchdown for the fourth straight game.

Mississippi State pulled even with a 14-play, 73-yard march capped by Fluff Bothwell’s four-yard touchdown run. After forcing a three-and-out, the Bulldogs traveled 85 yards in 1:44. Anthony Evans III made a diving 44-yard catch before Kamario Taylor hit Sanfrisco Magee for the deciding 24-yard touchdown.

Missouri still had two opportunities. One drive reached the Mississippi State 11-yard line before Simmons’ fourth-down pass was batted down. On the game’s final play, the Bulldogs broke up his end-zone attempt for Naeshaun Montgomery.

The Tigers had started their rally with Blake Craig’s 35-yard field goal and Simmons’ 9-yard touchdown pass to Olugbode. Safety Trajen Greco’s interception helped set up that score.

Missouri edge defender Daeden Hopkins recorded 3 ½ sacks, finishing just short of the school single-game record of four. His sack of Taylor late in the first half helped keep Mississippi State from adding a touchdown before halftime.

Why it matters

Missouri fell to 3-1 overall and 0-1 in SEC play after failing to protect a fourth-quarter lead. Mississippi State’s two late defensive stops preserved a conference win. The Tigers’ passing connection between Simmons and Lee produced 156 yards and two touchdowns despite the loss.

What to watch next

The source identified Missouri’s Homecoming game against Florida, with a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on ABC, as the Tigers’ next game.