Field Level Media
Sep 16, 2023
Harrison Mevis kicked an SEC-record, 61-yard field goal as time expired as host Missouri defeated No. 15 Kansas State 30-27 Saturday in Columbia, Mo.
The previous record for an SEC field goal was 60 yards, which three kickers accomplished. The Missouri record is a 62-yarder by Tom Whelihan in 1986.
The Tigers went 38 yards in 1:25 to set up the game-winning kick.
Brady Cook connected with Luther Burden for two touchdowns, including a go-ahead score midway through the fourth quarter. Cook finished with a career-high 356 passing yards for Missouri (3-0).
It was the 99th meeting between the former conference rivals, but the first one in Columbia since 2010.
Will Howard was 25-of-39 passing for 270 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception for Kansas State (2-1).
K-State tied the score at 17-all early in the second half on a 46-yard field goal by Chris Tennant. After forcing Missouri's fourth straight punt, Howard found Ben Sinnott for a 3-yard touchdown late in the third quarter. The Wildcats scored twice previously on the drive but were flagged before Sinnott's grab.
Mevis cut the deficit to 24-20 with a 25-yard field goal.
Cook then found Burden in the flat and Burden raced untouched into the end zone for his second touchdown of the day and a 27-24 Mizzou lead with 8:24 left in the game. Tennant tied the score with a 26-yard field goal with 5:25 left.
The first half was back and forth. K-State marched down the field on an 11-play, 75-yard opening drive, capped by a 10-yard pass from Howard to Phillip Brooks. Mizzou responded with a 47-yard touchdown pass from Cook to Burden, who got wide open behind the K-State secondary.
On the next K-State drive, Howard threw an interception for the third straight game. The Tigers responded with a Mevis 30-yard field goal for a 10-7 lead. It was the first time this season that K-State has trailed.
Mevis missed a 53-yard attempt early in the second quarter with a chance to extend the lead. On the ensuing drive, Howard found Sinnott on a 3-yard touchdown pass to give K-State a 14-10 lead.
Missouri regained the lead quickly on a 1-yard sneak by Cook, as the Tigers tried a fourth-down conversion for the first time this season to take a 17-14 halftime lead.
--Field Level Media