Final: Missouri 41, Texas Tech 10

Final: Missouri 41, Texas Tech 10

With dominating defense and a balanced offensive attack, Missouri pulled away from Texas Tech in the fourth quarter.

Tailback Jimmy Jackson capped off a long drive with 1-yard touchdown run at the start of the quarter.

With successive sacks, the Tigers forced Tech to punt on the ensuing drive. Then quarterback Chase Daniel found wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, who raced past the Red Raiders for a 57-yard touchdown.

After safety William Moore’s interception, the Tigers’ backups entered the game, and kicker Jeff Wolfert made a 39-yard field goal.

Third quarter: Missouri 24, Texas Tech 10

Texas Tech keeps trying to convert on fourth down, but Missouri keeps stopping them.

On the opening drive, MU stopped the Red Raiders on their third attempt on fourth down. After a false start pushed Tech back, Brock Christopher batted down Graham Harrell’s pass.

After taking over on downs, the Tigers looked like they would score, but they avoided a key turnover in the red zone. Trying to pick up a first down on third-and-1, quarterback Chase Daniel fumbled for the second time. But center Adam Spieker recovered the ball, and the Tigers gained a first down. Tailback Jimmy Jackson scored a 3-yard rushing touchdown on the next play.

Tech attempted two more fourth-down conversions on its next drive. After converting the first try, wide receiver Michael Crabtree dropped a sure first-down catch on fourth-and-4.

The Tigers took the ball and moved into the red zone again.

Halftime: Missouri 17, Texas Tech 10

Both offenses started to put up the big numbers they’re known for after defense dominated the first half of the second quarter.

Early in the second quarter, MU’s defense stopped Tech on another big play. The Red Raiders attempted to convert another fourth down, but defensive tackle Lorenzo Williams sacked quarterback Graham Harrell.

The Tigers gave the ball back to Tech. Tech cornerback Chris Parker tipped quarterback Chase Daniel’s pass at the goal line, and cornerback Jamar Wall picked it off.

Harrell didn’t take long to strike back. Wide receiver Edward Britton sped by cornerback Carl Gettis on the left sideline to catch a 68-yard touchdown pass.

The Tigers needed only five plays to respond. Jimmy Jackson scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.

On the ensuing drive, Pig Brown intercepted Harrell. But he fumbled, and Tech wide receiver Danny Amendola recovered. Then kicker Alex Trlica made a 45-yard field goal.

First quarter: Missouri 10, Texas Tech 0

Big plays by the Missouri defense have given the Tigers an early 10-0 lead against Texas Tech.

The Tigers attempted some trickery during their first drive, but couldn’t capitalize. On a fake punt, tight end Martin Rucker took the snap and picked up a first down. But the drive stalled on the ensuing play when quarterback Chase Daniel was sacked for a 17-yard loss.

But MU’s defense responded on Tech’s first drive. Safety Pig Brown tipped a pass intended for Tech wide receiver Detron Lewis. The ball hung in the air like a fly ball. Defensive end Stryker Sulak waited like an outfielder, caught the ball and ran the interception 38 yards into the end zone.

Brown made another big play on the Red Raiders’ next drive. After picking up a few first downs, Tech elected to go for it on fourth-and-2 on the Missouri 39-yard line, but Brown broke up quarterback Graham Harrell’s pass.

The Tigers converted the stop into a 21-yard field goal.