(AP) COLUMBIA, Mo. — The first time Missouri played Middle Tennessee State was Sept. 20, 2003, when the Tigers narrowly defeated the Blue Raiders 41-40 in overtime.
Missouri coach Barry Odom was a graduate assistant coach on that team, and earlier this week, fondly recalled a walk-off touchdown in the south end zone of Faurot Field.
After Saturday, new memories of Middle Tennessee State will likely occupy Odom’s thoughts.
It’s the most points Missouri has ever scored in a loss.
“I’m frustrated that we didn’t win the football game,” Odom said. “We played very poorly in a lot of aspects.”
Brent Stockstill was 23 of 41 for 280 yards and four touchdowns, and added 70 yards rushing on seven carries as the Blue Raiders amassed 584 yards of offense, including 300 rushing yards.
“I definitely think that’s the biggest win I’ve ever been a part of,” Stockstill said. “It was huge for us. I think it starts with the no turnovers. I thought we were able to move it and protect it…overall we moved it all day and protected the ball and that’s what wins games.”
Middle Tennessee State coach Rick Stockstill described it as “a phenomenal win for us.”
“Our guys competed their tails off,” Brent Stockstill said. “They battled. They never flinched. They never relaxed. It was back and forth the whole game.”
I’Tavius Mathers rushed 28 times for 215 yards and a touchdown for Middle Tennessee, and he also caught eight passes for 48 yards and a touchdown. It’s the highest individual rushing total Missouri has surrendered since Auburn’s Tre Mason rushed for 180 yards in the 2013 Southeastern Conference championship.
Missouri (2-5) had 629 total yards on 104 plays, its highest play total of the season.
Running back Damarea Crockett had 29 carries for 156 yards and four touchdowns and Ish Witter added 19 carries for 121 yards. Crockett’s four scores are the most by a freshman running back in school history.
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock was 20 of 40 for 281 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 10 times for 63 yards.
“It’s hard to describe how it feels,” Lock said of the loss. “It’s dull. It’s not something that you want to repeat. I thought we did a good job during practice to get ready and make sure that this didn’t happen. Now that it did, we just have to practice even harder and make sure that we don’t get this feeling again.”
Middle Tennessee State (4-2) jumped out to a 10-0 lead before Crockett’s first touchdown made it a one-score game. The Blue Raiders held a 34-28 lead at halftime in a game that saw seven lead changes.
Missouri took its final lead of the game with 13:27 remaining in the third quarter when Crockett’s fourth touchdown put the Tigers up 35-34.
The Blue Raiders only targeted seven pass catchers, with Richie James leading the way with 5 catches for 129 yards and a touchdown. Dennis Andrews added 5 catches for 65 yards and two touchdowns, including a 5-yard score with 10:31 left, extending the Blue Raiders’ lead to 48-38.
Missouri tight end Kendall Blanton caught two passes for 37 yards and a touchdown and Ray Wingo caught his first pass since Sept. 10, a 17-yard touchdown.
