Mizzou overcame two interceptions and a missed field goal to hold off the Auburn Tigers 23-17 in double overtime Saturday, Oct. 18 at Jordan-Hare Stadium on the plains in Auburn.  All three Mizzou touchdowns came on the ground, including the game-winning keeper by Beau Pribula.

Mizzou fell behind early, as Auburn went 75 yards in 12 plays on the opening drive to score seven. After Mizzou’s Toriano Pride Jr picked off Jackson Arnold on the next possession, the black-and-gold Tigers converted the pick into a field goal to get on the board. Mizzou would take the lead early in the second quarter with the first of two Ahmad Hardy rushing touchdowns. Auburn had a chance to tie the game just before the half after picking off Pribula, but Alex McPherson missed a 40-yard attempt.

McPherson would also miss a 38-yard attempt early in the third quarter, but Auburn’s defense would keep Mizzou from extending the lead, forcing the visiting Tigers to punt on four consecutive possessions. The hosts would retake the lead late in the frame with a one-yard touchdown run, and extend it with McPherson’s only make of the afternoon from 22 yards. A crucial three-and-out on Auburn’s next drive set up Mizzou’s game-tying drive, capped by Hardy’s three-yard run that saw him get just across the goal line with five minutes remaining. Mizzou’s defense forced another punt, giving Mizzou a chance to set up a game-winning drive. That drive would fall apart when Pribula was picked off with 18 seconds remaining.

Double overtime was needed, as the two teams missed field goals in the first extra period.  Mizzou had to go first in the second overtime frame, and made the drive count when Pribula reached paydirt from three yards out.  The two-point conversion was no-good, meaning that the Mizzou defense would need to come up with a crucial stop. After two tackles for a loss, Auburn was down to their last play from Mizzou’s 23-yard line.  Jackson Arnold was nearly sacked at the 30, but an attempted pass was completed to an ineligible lineman, who ended up well short of the line to gain.

Pribula wrapped up the night 23-for-40 with 252 yards in the air. He also ran 16 times for 28 yards and the game-winner. Hardy led the rushing attack with 24 carries for 58 yards and two scores. Mizzou had three receivers with over 60 yards in the air: Donovan Olugbode, Joshua Manning, and Kevin Coleman Jr.  For Auburn, Arnold threw for 207 yards, going 18-for-30, with half of the yardage hauled in by Cam Coleman. Jeremiah Cobb ran for 111 yards on 19 carries. Mizzou’s defense recorded five sacks in the game.

Mizzou are now 6-1, with a 2-1 mark in the SEC. Another road game awaits the Tigers next Saturday afternoon, as Mizzou will visit a Vanderbilt squad that took down LSU 31-24. An exact kickoff time will be announced Sunday.