Penalties prove to be Mizzou’s biggest opponent in matchup against Mississippi State

One penalty can decide the momentum of a game in any given moment. But how about seven penalties in the first half of the game.

Missouri struggled to stay discipline throughout the first three quarters, specifically the first half, allowing Mississippi State to stay competitive. Both the Tigers’ offense and defense ultimately shined through in the fourth, allowing them to pull away and get the victory over the Bulldogs, 49-27, on Saturday in Columbia.

The penalties were headlined by the ejection of Nate Johnson and Josiah Trotter, both of which came in the first half. The former was ejected during Mississippi State’s second drive of the game, when Bulldogs’ QB Blake Shapen took a sack, but the refs deemed it targeting — tarnishing any momentum the Tigers had.

“Senior night always gets a little emotional,” Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said after the game. “So we were out of character and out of context there a little bit.”

It felt like a similar momentum drainer when Trotter — arguably one of Mizzou’s best defensive pieces all season — was ejected during the second quarter on another targeting call on Blake Shapen.

Shapen broke loose and rushed for about six yards before attempting a slide. During the slide, Trotter went head-to-head with Shapen.

Despite all the calls, the Tigers managed to stay in front, making massive plays on the defensive end to make up for mistakes.

During the second quarter, Mississippi State had a 16 play drive that felt like an eternity. It seemed like every time the Bulldogs had a third down situation, a flag would give State the first down it needed. After 11 plays inside of Mizzou’s 25-yard line, a muffed snap on a field goal attempt left the Bulldogs scoreless on the drive. People on socials were calling it a “ball don’t lie” moment.

On the last play of the first half, Missouri yet again shot itself in the leg, committing an intentional grounding penalty to push back sophomore place kicker Oliver Robbins’ attempt. The 54-yard try was no good, resulting in three less points the Tigers entered halftime with.

The Tigers were looking more discipline in the second half, but another intentional grounding penalty once again gave the Bulldogs an opportunity to get back in the game. After a touchdown on its first drive of the second half, Mississippi State was within four points and had the ball with some clear momentum.

Mizzou’s defense was able to hold strong, highlighted by a Darris Smith sack on third down to force a punt.

Luckily for the Tigers, running back Ahmad Hardy decided to be the star of the show. Despite all the intentional grounding calls, and lack of discipline on the defensive side, Hardy ultimately called game.

He ended with 300 yards, three touchdowns and was truly the momentum that pushed the Tigers to the win. It felt like every time Mizzou needed a play, Hardy was there. When Mizzou didn’t need a play, Hardy was still there.

“Wow this guy is incredible,” defensive lineman Chris McClellan said of Hardy after the game. “I’d rather play with him than against him.”

“He’s basically like a safety blanket,” quarterback Matt Zollers added.

The 300 yards marked the second most by a running back in Mizzou program history.

MU also secured two second-half pick 6s that put the Bulldogs in deep water later in the contest.

“We challenged (our defense) all week. We needed two turnovers, and they got two turnovers for touchdowns,” Drinkwitz said. “Really, really proud of the defense.”

The Tigers will look to be more discipline, and lean on Ahmad Hardy and the run game again as it travels to take on Oklahoma on Saturday in Norman.