No. 3 Oklahoma Vs. No. 18 Missouri: Missouri Pulls 36-27 Upset On Homecoming

Columbia, MO (Sports Network) - Blaine Gabbert threw for 308 yards and a touchdown on 30-of-42 passing, and 18th-ranked Missouri remained as the only unbeaten team left in the Big 12 after scoring 16 consecutive points in the fourth quarter to upend third-ranked Oklahoma, 36-27.

Jarrell Jackson was Gabbert’s primary target, catching nine passes for 139 yards and scoring the go-ahead touchdown for Missouri (7-0, 3-0 Big 12), which beat Oklahoma for the first time after seven straight losses to the Sooners. In fact, Oklahoma had won 19 of the last 20 in the series.

Oklahoma had the ball, down nine, with no timeouts in hand and a fourth down mere feet from their own end zone. Clearly, the play was ... to punt?

Indeed, Oklahoma chose to kick away in that situation, and it made a nearly impossible comeback one that the Sooners declined to even attempt. Granted, there hadn’t been much done in the first three downs of the series, but if any Sooner diehards need a hook to begin a postgame tirade, Bob Stoops definitely gave them one with that punt.

Mossis Madu fumbled a kickoff, then made Missouri wish he hadn’t.

Madu took advantage of a bit of overpursuit to rip off a 77-yard kickoff return, and that and some timely Missouri penalties enabled Oklahoma to score and cut the Tigers’ lead to 36-27 while only draining 30 second from the clock.

It sure seems like there’s going to be another top-ranked team going down tonight in Columbia.

That’s because it finally seems like Missouri is taking control of their upset bid against Oklahoma.

First, Mizzou got a pick. Then the Tigers hit a trick play. But it only produced three points.

Landry Jones was intercepted on an athletic play by Missouri’s Zaviar Gooden, and Mizzou appeared to take care of business with a short field, pulling out a hook-and-ladder for a score. But replay confirmed that Kendial Lawrence did not get in, instead stepping out at the Oklahoma 3, and the Sooners shut down the Mizzou offense in a goal-to-go set of downs.

Or maybe Missouri’s just going to pip Oklahoma at the end after all.

The Tigers trailed for the first time all night after an Oklahoma touchdown, but Missouri responded quickly and emphatically. Blaine Gabbert hit Jerrell Jackson for a 38-yard touchdown strike, and even though Missouri fumbled on its two-point conversion attempt, the Tigers’ 26-21 lead seems like a sign this game might be headed for a classic ending.

It didn’t take long for Oklahoma to erase Missouri’s lead and take their first.

Landry Jones led the Sooners on a 12-play, 69-yard drive that took 3:48 off the game clock and seemed to last only slightly more than that in real time.

Missouri responded to a missed Oklahoma field goal by making one of their own.

It was still a bit of a letdown, as Missouri had first and goal, but couldn’t punch it in to make this a two-possession game, but, hey, the Tigers are scoring points. That’s more than can be said for Oklahoma this half.

Again, Missouri dodges an Oklahoma chance to score points.

This time, after a fumble by Michael Egnew, Oklahoma had great field position, but did little with it, and had to settle for a Jimmy Stevens field goal attempt. But Stevens missed, and with the rain coming down in Columbia, it seems like it just might be Oklahoma’s night to fall.

Missouri nearly failed to get a timeout in at the end of the first half. It would have cost the Tigers three points.

An effective drive got Missouri into field goal range, but the Tigers stalled just before the Oklahoma red zone, then called a run to get a better shot for Grant Ressel. That was almost a big mistake: Missouri only got its final timeout called with one second remaining.

DeMarco Murray has scored a lot of touchdowns at Oklahoma. His 57th tied this game up.

Murray took a swing pass from Landry Jones in for a four-yard touchdown late in the second quarter, and Jimmy Stevens tied this game up at 14-14 with his extra point.

It didn’t take long for Missouri to get its go-ahead touchdown in the second quarter.

After coming out with five wide receivers, Missouri put De’Vion Moore in motion, and Blaine Gabbert gave to him on a zone read. Moore followed blockers off right tackle for a one-yard touchdown to put the Tigers ahead of the top-ranked Sooners.

Oklahoma seemed poised to score a go-ahead touchdown. Then Aldon Smith interrupted the inevitable.

The Missouri defensive end faked a rush, dropped back in coverage, and snagged a red zone interception. More impressively, he shook a tackle or two, cut back, and got deep into Oklahoma territory before Kenny Stills caught him from behind and made the tackle.

Oklahoma made quick work of tying their game against Missouri.

After a muffed punt by the Tigers, Oklahoma had great field position in Missouri territory, and spent just four plays covering the 45 yards and tying the game. Landry Jones made up for a bad first drive by finding Kenny Stills on a 27-yard touchdown pass, and an extra point tied the game in Columbia at 7-7.

Missouri certainly wanted to start their showdown against Oklahoma well. A kickoff return for a touchdown followed by a three and out on defense should have been a good way to do that.

Freshman Gahn McGaffie fielded a bouncing kick, cut back, and outran every Sooner on the field on an 86-yard kick return touchdown.

SB Nation’s Rock M Nation discusses the importance of getting out in front of Oklahoma early:

Who wins the first 15 minutes?

Oklahoma is quite possibly the best team in the country in the first quarter. They have outscored opponents, 73-20, in the opening 15 minutes, and their advanced stats play out in a similar fashion -- they rank second in Offensive Q1 S&P+ and 23rd in Defensive Q1 S&P+. Even in the games that ended up close, they built up a big lead almost every time.

Mizzou, meanwhile, is solid out of the gates (56-10 scoring margin, 15th on offense), but the defense takes a little while to get rolling. Mizzou ranks 60th in Q1 Defensive S&P+, meaning OU’s biggest advantage will unfold at the start. If Mizzou is tied or ahead as the second quarter begins, they have dodged a major bullet. Mizzou’s defense gets better as the game advances, but “getting better” won’t mean as much if they give up two touchdown drives to start the game.

SB Nation’s Crimson and Cream Machine scouts the Missouri defense:

Bob Stoops’ Sooners are undefeated on the season at 6-0 and sit on a lofty perch, as the initial BCS poll came out this past Sunday with Oklahoma ranked number one. The Sooners certainly looked worthy of that ranking with last weekend’s 52-0 shutout of Iowa State. With the win, the Sooners moved to 2-0 in conference play.

Gary Pinkel’s Tigers sport identical records at 6-0 overall and 2-0 in- conference. The team was in College Station this past weekend, where Missouri made light work of Texas A&M in a 30-9 lopsided affair.