Mizzou leans on defense, special teams to avoid upset by UConn (Video)

The No. 22 Missouri Tigers looked completely inept on offense against UConn, so Gary Pinkel’s Tigers decided defense and special teams would be the only way for Mizzou to win.

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It wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t pretty, but the No. 22 Missouri Tigers are 3-0 heading into conference play after a 9-6 win over UConn in Columbia, Mo. on Saturday. If you’re a fan of adventurous and interesting special teams, this was the game for you.

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The Huskies went into halftime with a 6-2 lead, in what was one of the ugliest first halves of college football seen all season. The only offensive points put on the board by Missouri came with just five minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter, when quarterback Maty Mauk punched it in after a couple of failed attempts.

Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel summed it up in his post game interview saying “We’re struggling on offense.”

Struggling is an understatement. 270 total yards of offense, 5.8 yards per pass, 2.5 yards per rush and a single touchdown against UConn doesn’t even approach struggling. Starting QB Maty Mauk was benched in the fourth quarter, and Pinkel wasn’t giving any hints as to if a change would be made in the next game.

Mauk ended his day under center 14 for 22 for 145 yards and one interception. Backup Drew Lock was 6 of 9 for 40 yards.

But the story of the game was special teams, where we saw a fake punt, muffed punt, missed field goal, several terrible punts, and a fake field goal attempt by UConn with just 53 seconds remaining that sealed the deal for the Tigers when it was picked off. (H/T – @RedditCFB)

This was not a game of artistry and poetic grace…this was a Mark Sanchez butt-fumble that lasted four quarters.

Missouri’s defense kept them in this game, as the Huskies had several scoring opportunities that were thwarted by the Tigers. One thing is certain, if the Mizzou offense performs the way they did today against SEC defenses, it will be a long season for fans in Columbia.

Next: 10 CFB Teams in the Wrong Conference

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