Comment from Missouri player makes key moment from Vols' loss to Tigers feel even worse
There was a point in the Tennessee Vols' loss to the Missouri Tigers when the game took a drastic turn. And it was a moment that Tennessee never recovered from. Near the end of the first half, the Vols looked like they were about to score to either take a 13-10 lead into the half […]
There was a point in the Tennessee Vols' loss to the Missouri Tigers when the game took a drastic turn. And it was a moment that Tennessee never recovered from.
Near the end of the first half, the Vols looked like they were about to score to either take a 13-10 lead into the half or, at worst, kick a field goal to tie the game.
Tennessee was set to receive the ball first in the second half, so it was moment where the Vols could've built some momentum.
Unfortunately, Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright fumbled after picking up a first down inside the Missouri 25 yard line.
With just 20 seconds remaining in the half, it felt like a missed opportunity to add some points. It turned into a situation where Missouri put three points on the board to extend their halftime lead to 13-7.
And that happened despite the fact that it appeared that Missouri simply wanted to run out the clock and get to the locker room. Tigers running back Cody Schrader, however, popped a 35 yard run, which was followed by a quick nine yard completion to Mookie Cooper. Harrison Mevis then connected on a 46-yard field goal before the end of the half.
After the game, Schrader confirmed that Missouri was just trying to run out the clock in that situation.
"In that situation, we were just trying to run the football, but then I popped one," said Schrader.
Tennessee had a couple of chances to tackle Schrader and limit him to a short gain, which could've kept those three points off the board (and more importantly, prevented Missouri from going to the locker room with even more momentum).
Who knows what happens if the end of the first half plays out differently. But the fact that Tennessee gave up points in a situation where Missouri wasn't really even trying to score had to be a deflating moment for the defense.
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