COLUMBIA, Mo. – A season of promise is threatening to turn sour for Missouri as the Tigers confront the realities of life in the unforgiving Southeastern Conference.
A 19-15 home loss to perennial conference also-ran Vanderbilt kept Missouri (3-3, 0-3) winless in league games in its first season in the SEC after leaving the Big 12. Few expect Missouri to break that losing streak when No. 1 Alabama (5-0, 2-0) visits Faurot Field Saturday.
The Tigers will be without starting quarterback James Franklin, who strained a knee ligament against Vandy on a first-quarter scramble. His replacement, redshirt freshman Corbin Berkstresser, completed just 9 of 30 passes.
Thousands of fans left Memorial Stadium at halftime, and a smattering of boos rang out as Missouri walked off the field trailing 9-6.
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