Missouri Tigers crushed by Alabama Crimson Tide in duel of ranked football teams

The Missouri Tigers still haven’t beaten the Alabama Crimson Tide in football since 1975.

That remains true after Mizzou lost 34-0 to ‘Bama at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Saturday afternoon.

MU (6-2, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) had not been shut out in a game since a 27-0 loss at Georgia in 2019, and this defeat may cost the No. 21 Tigers any chance of qualifying for the College Football Playoff.

Mizzou was stymied from the start by No. 15 Alabama. And while the Crimson Tide seemed content to trade punts early, they eventually started scoring and never stopped.

Brady Cook made the start at quarterback for MU in spite of a lingering ankle injury. He was knocked around early by Alabama’s relentless pass-rush.

At one point he appeared to hit his hand on another player’s helmet. Shortly after, he was taken to the sideline medical tent for evaluation, then to the locker room as halftime approached.

With the host Crimson Tide (6-2, 3-2) leading 6-0 at that point thanks to a pair of field goals, in trotted backup Tigers quarterback Drew Pyne.

With about 2 minutes left until intermission, Pyne threw his first pass of the day — directly to an Alabama defender. That set up a short field that the Tide turned into the game’s first touchdown and a 13-0 halftime advantage.

Cook returned to the sideline in the second half, but the rest of the game belonged to Pyne. And the former Arizona State and Notre Dame signal-caller’s struggles continued, as he was picked off two more times.

Cook finished the game 7-of-12 for 30 yards, while Pyne was 6-of-12 for 42 yards and the three interceptions.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, Cook wasn’t the only starter missing from MU’s offense Saturday. First-team running back Nate Noel did not play because of injury.

Marcus Carroll and Jamal Roberts shared the Tigers’ backfield duties, rushing for a combined 151 yards on 34 carries.

As for Mizzou bright spots, defensive end Johnny Walker Jr. was a constant menace to junior Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. Walker was in the Alabama backfield all afternoon, earning a pair of sacks for his efforts.

The Tide scored all of their touchdowns against MU on the ground, with Jam Miller running for two and Milroe and Justice Haynes recording one apiece.

Missouri now has a week off, resuming the season with a Nov. 9 SEC game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.