TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Jamarion Miller shone for the Crimson Tide, scoring two touchdowns, while No. 15 Alabama’s defense excelled with three interceptions in a commanding 34-0 win over No. 21 Missouri on Saturday. The Tigers struggled significantly, especially after losing their starting quarterback Brady Cook to an upper body injury late in the first half.
Following two losses in three weeks, Alabama (6-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) needed a decisive performance, and they delivered. The defeat of Missouri (6-2, 2-2) marked a crucial turning point for the Crimson Tide, occurring when the score was only 6-0.
Alabama’s Jalen Milroe completed 16 of 26 pass attempts for 215 yards and added 50 rushing yards, including a noteworthy 9-yard touchdown where he displayed agility by reversing field after bouncing off a blocker. His impressive runs helped set up a 32-yard dash, further showcasing his dual-threat capability.
Miller contributed significantly with touchdown runs of 3 and 11 yards, while teammate Justice Haynes added a 35-yard rushing touchdown to enhance the scoring. On the other hand, Missouri’s quarterback situation was dire; Jack Pyne managed just 6 of 12 passes for 42 yards, overshadowed by three interceptions. Cook’s performance was limited to only 30 passing yards before his injury sidelined him.
The first half represented a challenge for both teams, which combined to go 0 for 12 on third-down conversions. However, Alabama managed to gain traction in the second half, ultimately outgaining Missouri by a margin of 486 to 239 yards, with an impressive 271 yards coming from the ground game.
**Key Insights:**
For Missouri, the defeat significantly dampened their playoff aspirations, which began with high hopes when they opened the season in the top 10. The offense struggled effectively during the game, particularly in Cook’s absence, and running back Nate Noel also missed action due to injury.
Alabama, on the other hand, successfully kept its playoff hopes flickering with only one game left against a ranked opponent, which could solidify their standings for the upcoming playoff discussions.
**Future Matchups:**
Looking ahead, Missouri is set to host Oklahoma on November 9, after enjoying a brief hiatus. Meanwhile, Alabama will face off against No. 8 LSU on the same date, a critical clash as both teams vie for higher rankings.
In summary, Alabama’s solid all-around performance, anchored by significant contributions from Milroe and Miller, appears to propel the team back into playoff discussions, whereas Missouri will need to regroup quickly to salvage their season.