No. 8 Alabama came up big on three fourth downs in the final eight minutes to put No. 14 Missouri away in a 27-24 win.
After Alabama missed a 48-yard field goal with less than 10 minutes to go, Missouri had a great chance to tie or take the lead. But after a great third-down tackle by linebacker Justin Jefferson, Missouri ran a fake punt to running back Jamal Roberts and Roberts got stopped a yard short of the first down.
Then, Alabama converted two fourth downs to put the Tigers away.
The first came when QB Ty Simpson found freshman Lotzeir Brooks for an incredible throw-and-catch to put the Crimson Tide inside the Missouri 10-yard line.
And then Simpson found a wide-open Daniel Hill after he snuck out of the backfield for a short touchdown throw on fourth down with 3:16 to go for the two-score lead.
Missouri scored a TD with 1:43 to go to cut Alabama’s lead back to three and used its timeouts to get the ball back with 1:17 to go. But QB Beau Pribula was picked off by freshman Dijon Lee Jr. with 37 seconds to go.
At the start of the second half, it looked like a turnover by Simpson would shift the game. Alabama led 17-10 at halftime, but Simpson was sacked and fumbled the ball on the first offensive play of the second half. Missouri tied the game on its ensuing drive.
But momentum is a fickle thing or one that really doesnt exist at all. After it appeared everything had shifted toward the Tigers following an Alabama punt on its second possession of the third quarter, Missouri quickly punted the ball back to the Tide.
The Tigers offense wasted a fantastic display by the Mizzou defense in the second half. On its four drives before Simpsons TD throw to Hill, Missouri gained a total of 59 yards and QB Pribula threw an interception.
Alabamas first-year starter was already working his way into the Heisman conversation before Week 7 thanks to solid play in wins over No. 10 Georgia and No. 20 Vanderbilt.
Now, its impossible to dispute that Simpson is one of the favorites halfway through the season. And he may actually be the favorite.
Simpson was 23-of-31 passing for 200 yards and three touchdowns against the Tigers and also had a key 20-yard rush on a third down in the first half. He’s completing over 70% of his passes this season and has now thrown 16 TDs to just one interception.
That yardage total on Saturday isnt spectacular, but Simpson consistently made key throws when Alabama needed them most. And especially in the fourth quarter.
On the drive leading to the missed field goal, Simpson and Jam Miller combined to convert a fourth down after a rolling-out Simpson flipped the ball to Miller in the flat.
Miller, however, was knocked out of the game after taking a huge hit at the end of the play and was immediately helped to the locker room. His absence put more pressure on Simpsons shoulders on the game-clinching drive, as Miller had rushed 20 times for 85 yards and had four catches for 25 yards.
Simpson also posted his numbers on Saturday with star sophomore wide receiver Ryan Williams being an absolute non-factor. Williams didn’t have a single catch on Saturday and sometimes it was hard to realize he was even on the field.
Brooks, a freshman, finished with four catches for 58 yards. Germie Bernard, Alabama’s leading receiver, had just three catches for 20 yards.