The only success Missouri had on offense against Alabama in Saturday’s SEC Championship game came when plays broke down.
Twice in the third quarter Tigers quarterback Maty Mauk, running to escape pressure, found wide receiver Jimmie Hunt for long gains. The longest was a 63-yard pass as Hunt finished with six receptions for 169 yards, with three of those for 120 yards occurring in the third quarter on two unscripted plays. The other was a 47-yard pass that led to a field goal. The Tigers finished with 313 yards as Mauk was held to 16-of-34 passing for 272 yards passing.
Hunt said he told Mauk at halftime, at which time he had two catches for 27 yards, that his defender couldn’t contain him and to make sure to put the ball in the right place.
Hunt said he thought the offense came out with confidence as it tried to win its first SEC title in its second consecutive trip to the championship game. But he said perhaps the team didn’t have enough energy.
“We should have had more enthusiasm,” Hunt said. “We should have gotten more first downs.”
About the Author
