SEC Power Rankings: Alabama in class by themselves, LSU sliding fast

Nov 14, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Lock (3) celebrates with defensive back Cam Hilton (33) after the win over the Brigham Young Cougars at Arrowhead Stadium. Missouri won 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Riding a roller coaster of emotions all week, the Missouri Tigers are still alive in the bowl picture thanks to a 20-16 upset victory over BYU in Kansas City.

The game itself was called into question last Sunday when Mizzou football players joined protests on campus and pledged not to practice or play as a result. On Friday, head coach Gary Pinkel – who supported his players during the protest – told his team that he would be retiring after the season because of a lymphoma diagnosis. The team responded with its best game (and first win) in six weeks.

Quarterback Drew Lock threw for 244 yards with a touchdown and an interception on 19-for-28 passing. J’Mon Moore was on the receiving end of Lock’s four-yard TD pass and finished with 49 yards on three receptions. Nate Brown led the Tigers 65 yards on five receptions and Ish Witter added 57 yards on two grabs, including a 49-yarder.

Running back Russell Hansbrough led the Tigers with 117 rushing yards on 26 carries as Mizzou scored two touchdowns in a game for the first time since a 24-10 victory over South Carolina Oct. 3. Witter had 34 rushing yards and Tyler Hunt gained 14 rushing yards and scored a touchdown. Overall, the Missouri offense gained 434 total yards, which was a season high and the first time the unit gained more than 400 yards in a game since a Week 1 win over SE Missouri State.

The Tigers held BYU to 290 total yards of offense and forced two turnovers.

Next Game: Saturday November 21 vs. Tennessee

Next: Vanderbilt