It wasn’t Missouri’s finest performance of the season, but against South Carolina, it was enough.
There were times that the Tigers’ offense looked like it hadn’t played in three weeks. In the second quarter, quarterback Connor Bazelak underthrew wide receiver Tauskie Dove in the end zone for a score that would’ve given Missouri a 21-0 lead, and the team’s first five possessions of the second half resulted in a punt. But ultimately, the defense staved off a depleted South Carolina team 17-10.
The Gamecocks’ top two corners, Jaycee Horn and Israel Mukuamu, opted out after coach Will Muschamp was fired earlier this week, and their defensive line was without a few players because of an injury and opt-outs.
Despite being off for nearly three weeks, Missouri had roster issues of its own. Defense coordinator Ryan Walters missed the game because of contact tracing, and coach David Gibbs served in his
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![Missouri defensive coordinator Ryan Walters gives instructions to one of his players at Wednesday's team practice at the Kadlec Practice Fields.](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"53","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1beU5d.img?h=533&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1beU5d.img?h=417&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1beU5d.img?h=417&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
![a group of people playing football on a field: Missouri receiver Jalen Knox (9) carries the ball against South Carolina during a Southeastern Conference game Oct. 6, 2018, at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C.](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"60","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1bdHE2.img?h=605&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"47","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1bdHE2.img?h=472&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"47","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1bdHE2.img?h=472&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})