SportsDirect Inc. staff
Oct 6, 2012
Vanderbilt 19, Missouri 15: Zac Stacy rushed for two touchdowns and a botched snap prevented the host Tigers from tying the game after their lone touchdown as the Commodores held on to win a sloppy game.
The Commodores (2-3, 1-2 SEC) had 295 total yards - 89 on the ground - but took advantage of an early safety on a botched punt snap and a key personal foul that extended their first touchdown drive. The offense showed signs of life in the fourth quarter as Jordan Rodgers led consecutive scoring drives ending with Stacy's 14-yard touchdown run and Carey Spear's 21-yard field goal.
Missouri's offense sputtered after losing starting quarterback James Franklin to a left knee sprain on the Tigers' second possession. The Tigers (3-3, 0-3) moved the ball effectively their first two drives, both of which ended with Andrew Baggett field goals. But once Franklin went out, Missouri's offense went with him.
Redshirt freshman backup Corbin Berkstresser completed 9 of 30 passes for 189 yards - 85 of which came on a touchdown pass to Bud Sasser that pulled the Tigers within 16-15 with 12:11 left, but a bad snap on the extra-point kept Missouri from tying it.
The Tigers moved deep into Vanderbilt territory late in the fourth quarter, but Berkstresser threw three straight incompletions to turn it over on downs.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Vanderbilt handed Missouri only its eight loss in its last 44 home games. … Missouri has forced at least one turnover in 24 consecutive games. … Sasser's touchdown reception was the longest for Missouri since a 98-yarder by Pete Woods in 1976.