Despite trailing in the third quarter, the Missouri Tigers were able to pull away for a dominating win over Arkansas State, defeating the visiting Red Wolves 41-19 in Columbia.
Arkansas State vs. Missouri final score: Four total touchdowns from Franklin lead Tigers to 41-19 win
After a slow start, the Tigers exploded for three fourth-quarter touchdowns and a convincing win.
Bryan Harsin's Arkansas State squad came to play, taking the lead with two early field goals. A Marcus Murphy touchdown run and a James Franklin touchdown pass to Dorial Green-Beckham made it 14-6 Missouri, but Adam Kennedy threw a 17-yarder touchdown to Julian Jones to cut it to 14-13 at the half.
The Red Wolves got back on top at the start of the third quarter, as Brian Davis hit a 44-yard field goal to take a 16-14 lead. Missouri then scored two straight touchdowns, but a failed two-point conversion attempt kept the lead at just 27-16, allowing the ensuing 33-yard field goal from Davis (his fourth of the day) to make it a one-possession ballgame.
Missouri put the game out of reach just a few minutes later, as James Franklin ran nine yards for a touchdown with around five minutes to play, making it 34-19 Tigers. After an Arkansas State turnover, Franklin found Green-Beckham in the end zone for another touchdown.
Box Score Hero: James Franklin. He completed 20 of 29 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns, and ran five times for 33 yards and a score.
Rankings Ramifications: Neither team was ranked, but Missouri picked up a few votes in each poll. They won’t sneak into the Top 25 just yet, but should be on some ballots.
But Did They Cover? Missouri was a 21.5-point favorite, so yes, barely.
For More On This Game: For the Missouri perspective, head to Rock M Nation.
Next Week’s Schedule: Missouri gets conference play kicked off next week with a road trip to Vanderbilt. Arkansas State gets one last non-conference game, hosting Idaho.
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