Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
By Chris Marler
Alabama narrowly escaped with a 27-24 win over Missouri in Columbia on Saturday, becoming just the fifth SEC team ever to win three straight weeks against Top 20 opponents.
The Recap
Missouri out of the gates swinging, and went down the field on a six play 78-yard drive to make it 7-0. The Tigers never even faced a third down on the opening possession.
Alabama answered and was able to tie it up after an 11 play 78-yard drive that took six minutes off the clock. From there, Alabama forcefully took control of the game, and the momentum.
Until they didn’t.
Despite a dropped touchdown, and two fumbles that went uncovered, the Tide held a 17-7 lead late in the first half. As we’ve seen a million times in college football, momentum can change in an instant.
Ty Simpson and the offense mismanaged a scoring opportunity to close out the half, and Missouri was able to get the ball back, drive the length of the field and get a field goal as time expired in the first half.
From there they opened the second half forcing a fumble on the very first play. The Tigers turned that into a touchdown in just three plays, and just like that the game was back to even.
After a drive that featured an offensive lineman catching a pass, and 6-foot-7, 365 pound left tackle Kadyn Proctor converting a 3rd and short out of the wildcat formation, the Tide walked into the endzone. However, during the play Ty Simpson appeared to trip over a lineman and his knee hit the ground before he handed the ball off. The call was overturned and Missouri held Alabama to just a field goal making it 20-17.
KADYN PROCTOR. WILDCAT. 🚨@AlabamaFTBL x 📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/WWHfVmvcMN
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) October 11, 2025
That drive embodied this game. Wonky, uncomfortable and most importantly, a series of missed opportunities from both teams. Missouri dropped two interceptions on the first drive and then threw an interception at the start of the fourth quarter.
The two saved their most dramatic back and forth for the fourth quarter. Ultimately, Alabama was able to hold off 5-0 Missouri as freshman DB Dijon Lee gathered in an interception on 3rd and ten to seal the win.
The Story
There was no shortage of stars in this game with WR Ryan Williams and RB Ahmad Hardy as headliners and a supporting cast of Ty Simpson, Germie Bernard, Kevin Coleman and Beau Pribula.
The story, though, was the lack of shine from the brightest stars for most of the game. Williams was held without a catch, the SEC’s leading receiver Coleman had one catch for two yards and the nation’s leading rusher Hardy had just 11 carries going into the fourth quarter.
Freshman wide receivers Lotzier Brooks and Donovan Olugbode led the way with over 50 yards receiving.
When The Game Was Won
Alabama stopped a fake punt from Mizzou on their own 37-yard line. They then took two straight losses for 14 yards on first and second down.
On fourth and eight, Alabama was at the 38-yard line, with a field goal kicker who has been anything but reliable all season. Simpson hit freshman Brooks on a corner route right on the sideline for a massive first down and put Alabama inside the ten yard line. From there, they were able to convert another fourth down for a touchdown to go up 27-17.
Nah this was a dime by Ty Simpson on 4th and 8 game on the line pic.twitter.com/lx0UMy4Em7
— John (@iam_johnw) October 11, 2025
The Numbers to Know
5: Alabama became the 5th team in SEC history to win three consecutive games against top 25 teams.
38:33: Missouri came into the game leading the country in time of possession with 37:29 per game. Alabama controlled the ball for 38 minutes and 33 seconds on Saturday.
3-for-3: Alabama was 6-for-15 on third downs, but was 3-for-3 on fourth down, including two conversions on what ended up being the game winning drive.
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