Live blog: Missouri vs. Baylor — November 7, 2009
Missouri vs. Baylor: pregame notes
The sun is out, there are few clouds in sight and Missouri is getting ready to take on Baylor at Faurot Field.
After a wet and cold October, the weather is cooperating today as both teams are preparing for kickoff.
The Bears are sans standout sophomore quarterback Robert Griffin due to knee surgery last month, and they have had trouble rebounding from the loss.
Baylor is in a four-game skid coming into today's game, and sit in last place in the Big 12 South.
Missouri snapped a losing streak of its own last week and is looking to get back in the thick of things in the Big 12 North race.
Kickoff is about 15 minutes away, so stick with this live blog for updates throughout the contest and follow @maneatersports for updates, too.
Tigers find the end zone on opening drive and Baylor answers with field goal
Missouri has a 7-3 lead after both team scored on their opening drives.
On Missouri's possession, senior Jared Perry's 38-yard catch set up an eventual 1-yard touchdown run by junior tailback Derrick Washington on a direct snap.
Sophomore quarterback Blaine Gabbert completed all four of his pass attempts on the drive, good for 61 yards.
Baylor answered by driving deep into Missouri territory and kicking a 22-yard field goal.
Ressel hits a pair of field goals
Missouri holds a 13-9 lead after a pair of field goals from sophomore kicker Grant Ressel.
Ressel's latest (a 46-yard kick) ties his career-best.
The Tigers defense will try to stop Baylor as the Bears start with ball on their own 20-yard line.
Alexander putting in an historic game
Senior wide receiver Danario Alexander was having a good day. Now he's having a great day.
Alexander caught a career-long 84-yard touchdown pass from Gabbert to increase Missouri's lead to 20-9. So far today, Alexander has 11 catches for 171 yards.
The Tigers' single game record for catches is 16 and for yards is 236.
Can Alexander get the records? Stay tuned to find out.
Missouri adds another score before the half
Ending what was a banner first half for the offense, Gabbert found sophomore Wes Kemp in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown with 0:01 left in the second quarter.
Missouri takes a 27-16 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Gabbert's 322 passing yards in the first half has him less than 100 yards away from his single-game career-best.
Alexander has already set a career-high in receptions with 11 and his 84-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter was also a career-best.
Baylor strikes with a touchdown
The Bears are hanging with Missouri and have cut the Tiger lead to 27-23.
Baylor scored a touchdown on a 13-yard pass from Florence to sophomore wide receiver Kendall Wright to open the half.
Missouri gets the ball at its own 19-yard line.
Tigers trap Baylor for safety but can't get more than that
With the ball inside its own 1-yard line, Baylor decided to run the ball and sophomore halfback Terrance Ganaway was swallowed up by Tigers defenders in the end zone for a safety.
On the ensuing possession, however, Missouri couldn't get on the scoreboard and was forced to punt.
Missouri is cradling a 29-26 lead as we begin the fourth quarter.
Baylor takes the lead
Baylor has taken its first lead since the first quarter on a 59-yard pass from Florence to Wright.
With the score 33-29, Missouri has to find a way to get out of its second half offensive doldrums or risk falling further behind in the Big 12 North race.
Tigers continue to do nothing on offense
So far this second half Missouri has mustered a mere 40 yards of total offense. Gabbert has thrown for 35 yards on 3 of 12 attempts.
Missouri drives have been short and not so sweet. Missouri has gotten three first downs this half as the Bears have gotten eight.
TIme is running out on Missouri as Baylor continues to move the ball and put points on the board.