COLUMBIA, Mo. (WLBT) – Ahmad Hardy’s career high 300 rushing yards and three touchdowns led the way to the victory against Mississippi State University, 49-27.
The Bulldogs now fall to 5-6 on the season, putting Mississippi State’s bowl hopes in jeopardy.
After Mississippi State went three-and-out on its first drive, Missouri responded with a quick five-play, 65-yard drive capped off by a Matt Zollers 26-yard passing touchdown to Donavan Olugbode.
Mississippi State was able to put three points on the board after that, but Missouri’s offense was unstoppable early on.
The Tigers responded with another quick four-play, 75-yard drive finished off by a 34-yard Zollers to Joshua Manning passing score to extend their lead to 14-3.
The Bulldogs were able to punch back with a touchdown after Missouri’s scoring drive, thanks to a two-yard Blake Shapen rushing score to make it a four point game.
Mississippi State’s defense then made a play when Nic Mitchell picked off Zollers to set up Mississippi State.
The Bulldogs would follow that though with their own turnover, fumbling it at the Tigers’ seven-yard-line.
Toriano Pride Jr. was able to return that fumble 62 yards to give Missouri the short field.
Five plays later, Hardy would punch it in for the Tigers to extend their lead to 21-10.
Coming out of the half, the Bulldogs were able to force a fumble early on to give Mississippi State some life.
They were able to capitalize on the turnover this time with a 10-play, 52-yard drive finished off by another Shapen rushing score.
The two squads then traded touchdowns to close out the third quarter to make it a 35-24 game.
Missouri’s Marvin Burks Jr. was able to put the final nail in the coffin at the start of the fourth quarter when he returned an interception 28 yards to make it a 42-24 game.
Hardy was able to add to his totals late in this game after a 43-yard rushing touchdown with just over 11 minutes left in the game.
Mississippi State was able to find three more points with just over five minutes left in this one, to make it a 49-27 game.
Shapen finished his day 19-of-33 for 199 yards and two interceptions.
Kamario Taylor got action throwing, finishing 4-of-5 for 36 yards and a touchdown.
Mississippi State now gets the week off before taking on the No. 7 Ole Miss Rebels in the Egg Bowl.
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