Mizzou Knotches Biggest Upset Of Young Tourney

#46 Missouri – 17
#19 Wisconsin – 7

MADISON, Wis. -- The Missouri Tigers went into to one of the most hostile environments in college football and found a way to come out with a victory, the biggest upset of the tournament yet. Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert made brilliant use of the Tigers' high-flying passing attack to spread out the Badgers, and control the clock by doubling Wisconsin in time of possession (10:31 to 5:29).

It was evident for the get-go that Wisconsin had a set game plan in mind: pound the ball on the ground. When Wisconsin opened with three consecutive John Clay runs, the Missouri defensive line stood its ground. "That was the difference for us," Missouri Head Coach Gary Pinkel commented after the game. "To come out and shut down that back Clay from the beginning, take their fans out of it, drive down the field and score. We couldn't have asked for a better start."

Missouri was able to move the ball throughout the first half, but could have been even more successful were it not for six dropped passes. RB Derrick Washington punched in two first half touchdowns in goal line situations, giving the Tigers a 14-0 halftime lead.

The second half opened with Missouri poised to add to its 14 point lead. Wisconsin got its biggest play of the game, however, when cornerback Otis Merrill picked off Gabbert. Playing on a short field, Wisconsin's offense turned in its only scoring drive of the game, cutting Missouri's lead in half at 14-7.

As the game moved into the 4th quarter, Missouri again used a long drive led by Gabbert's aerial attack to seal the game. Gabbert drove his team down the field, getting in field goal range while burning up the clock. A 22-yard field goal by Tigers' kicker Tanner Mills all but sealed, signed, and delivered a victory back to Columbia, Missouri.

Wisconsin's Clay, who had several long runs in the second half, finished with 58 yards on nine attempts, but failed to ever really get things going. The lack of a shotgun formation for Wisconsin also played a large part in a subpar offensive output.

Missouri will travel to Oxford, Mississippi to take on the Runnin' Rebels of Ole Miss in the second round.

Stats:
Missouri
QB Blaine Gabbert – 10 for 21, 181 yards, INT
RB Derrick Washington – 7 carries for 11 yards, 2 TDs
WR Brandon Gerau – 4 rec for 79 yards
FS Del Howard –1 tackle, INT
SS Hardy Hicks – 2 tackles, INT
FS Kenji Jackson – 3 tackles, TFL