COLUMBIA, Mo. — A big day from special teams helped Missouri get its season back on track against the team that derailed the Tigers last year.
Marcus Woods had a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown and the Tigers also blocked a punt in a 52-21 victory over Troy on Saturday.
"In every aspect, I think they played at a championship level," quarterback Brad Smith said. "That’s what we needed, and you can see how much it changed the game."
Woods also scored on a 1-yard run to help the Tigers (2-1) snap a four-game losing streak at home, against the team that knocked the Tigers out of the rankings for good last season in Week 2.
Troy (1-2) overcame a 14-point deficit to win last year, deflating the hopes of a team coming off a bowl season and rated a contender in the Big 12 North before going 5-6. Win that game, and perhaps Missouri plays in another bowl.
"That was a disappointing, humiliating loss a year ago, being very respectful to them because they went to a bowl and had a heck of a year," coach Gary Pinkel said. "That stung all of us and I’m sure a lot of players drew from that a little as motivation."
Missouri didn’t stumble in the rematch, putting the game away with a 25-point third quarter that featured both of Woods’ scores. The point total was the school’s most since a 52-20 victory over Arkansas State in the 2004 opener.
"The last time we went out there, we pretty much gave in," Woods said. "This game they played us pretty good in the first half and we just stuck it out."
Smith had a 13-yard run, scored on a conversion run after that touchdown and threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Brad Ekwerekwu to help the Tigers rebound from a 45-35 loss at home last week to New Mexico. Smith had entered the game third in the nation in total offense at 412.5 yards per game, although he committed two costly turnovers last week.
This time, he had no turnovers.
"We weren’t really thinking about that during the game, we just focused on what we had to do," Smith said. "After the fact, it feels real good."
North Alabama 56,
Delta State 21
FLORENCE — Anthony Merritt tied a school record by scoring five touchdowns as North Alabama defeated Delta State 56-21 Saturday night.
Merritt caught two touchdown passes from Vinnie Saylor, ran for a touchdown and scored on a 88-yard punt return and on a 82-yard kickoff return.
Saylor also tied a school record with four touchdown passes as North Alabama (3-0, 2-0 Gulf South Conference) jumped out to a 28-0 halftime lead and cruised to an easy win. Saylor completed 23-of-35 passes for 322 yards, with one interception.
Jaron Fountain and Chip Long also caught touchdown passes for the Lions.
Tusculum 20,
Miles 14
BIRMINGHAM— Phillip McGee rushed for 86 yards, including a two-yard run for the winning score with 40 seconds to play, as Tusculum defeated Miles 20-14 Saturday night.
Tusculum (2-1) drove 62 yards in five plays to break a 14-14 tie and take the lead in the final minute of the game.
Miles (0-4) had tied the contest with 3:24 to play on a 1-yard run by Ellis George and a two-point conversion pass from George to Darrell Labeaux.
Tusculum had taken a 14-6 lead at the end of the third quarter when Scott Harris recovered a fumble in the end zone. The Pioneers also scored on a 14-yard first quarter pass from Cody Baugh to Jamichael Caldwell.
