No. 7 Missouri escapes Vanderbilt upset in 2OT

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Blake Craig made up for three missed field goals in regulation by hitting from 37 yards in the second overtime, and Vanderbilt kicker Brock Taylor missed a 31-yarder to keep the game going to allow No. 7 Missouri to escape with a 30-27 win in double-overtime Saturday night.

Brady Cook threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns and Nate Noel ran for 199 yards for Missouri. The Tigers (4-0, 1-0 SEC) avoided a big upset that would have been a blow to their College Football Playoff chances by beating the Commodores (2-2, 0-1) for the fifth straight time.

Diego Pavia had 178 yards passing and two TDs along with 84 yards rushing for Vanderbilt, which beat Virginia Tech in overtime to start the season.

Takeaways:

Vanderbilt: The Commodores could easily be 4-0 this season. But they squandered a lead in the final minute of a 36-32 loss to Georgia State, then failed to capitalize on a series of mistakes by Missouri in a loss to the Tigers.

Missouri: The Tigers overcame a slew of mental mistakes and penalties for the second straight game. They trailed Boston College at halftime last week but similarly rallied in the second half for another close win to stay unbeaten on the season.

Key moment:

Missouri kicker Blake Craig missed field goals of 40 and 46 yards in the fourth quarter, either of which would have given the Tigers a 23-20 lead. Brock Taylor missed from 50 with just over three minutes that would have done the same for Vanderbilt. As a result, the Tigers and Commodores had to decide the game in overtime.

Key stat:

3 — That's the number of field goal attempts Craig missed before hitting his eventual winner in double overtime.

Up next:

Vanderbilt and Missouri are both off next week. The Commodores return to face No. 4 Alabama and the Tigers head to No. 25 Texas A&M on Oct. 5.

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