Mizzou beats Vanderbilt after historic game in Columbia
COLUMBIA, Mo. (BVM) — The Missouri Tigers led a strong offensive charge in Columbia on Saturday when they defeated Vanderbilt in a massive 41-0 win.
The Tigers (4-3) faced a team that was the first of its kind after positive tests of COVID-19 decimated Vanderbilt’s special teams. Traveling with the Commodores was Vanderbilt women’s soccer goalkeeper Sarah Fuller, who was selected as the team’s place kicker.
The 11 a.m. game started with the ball in Vanderbilt possession, but short drives were a pattern for the Commodores. As the ball was turned over to the Tigers, they did not hold back as senior Larry Rountree III ran it into the end zone after a six-play drive.
Mizzou found its momentum early with seven points on the board at the top of the first quarter. Vanderbilt answered with a failed field goal attempt and a sack to quarterback Ken Seals, leaving them scoreless going into the second quarter.
The next set of seven points did not come until halfway through the second quarter. The star of the game, Rountree III, ran the ball into the end zone after three completed passes from freshman quarterback Connor Bazelak to bring Mizzou up 14-0.
After another turnover, the Commodores punted for an eight yard return, setting the Tigers up at their 20-yard line. Junior running back Tyler Badie scored another Missouri touchdown after multiple attempts at finding the end zone were overturned on call reversals.
With a 21-0 lead heading into halftime, it was time for Vanderbilt to try something new, with someone new.
Fuller made her debut at the top of the second half with a 30-yard kick. She is the first woman in history to play in a Power Five conference college football game.
As the socially-distanced crowd at Faurot Field gave Fuller a standing ovation and loud cheers, the second half was off to an energetic start for both sides.
The Tigers charged right into Vanderbilt territory but settled for a field goal from kicker Harrison Mevis, making the score 24-0.
After a fumble from the Commodores, Tiger safety Tyree Gillespie recovered the ball at Missouri’s 34-yard line, setting up their next scoring play — another field goal from Mevis.
At the end of the third, the Tigers had both the ball and the lead of 27 points to Vanderbilt’s 0.
Things only got more exciting for Missouri as the last 15 minutes of the game went under way.
A swing pass from Bazelak to Badie gave the Tigers a 21-yard gain, setting up Rountree III for his third touchdown of the day. The star running back ran 25 yards right into Vanderbilt’s end zone, stretching Missouri’s lead 34-0.
The Commodores made a quarterback swap for freshman Mike Wright in hopes of getting on the board as the clock winded down.
While Vandy pulled off a fake punt on fourth down, it was no use against the Tiger defense, as Missouri took over with 9 minutes remaining.
Missouri decided to change their quarterback as well, putting in freshman Brady Cook, who entered onto the field for the first time all season. Cook did not disappoint as he completed a 25-yard pass to grad transfer Damon Hazelton for the final touchdown of the game.
After the 41-0 win, Missouri now sports a winning record for the first time under their first-year head coach, Eli Drinkwitz.
The Tigers are set to host 3-5 Arkansas this Saturday.
