ST. LOUIS – Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon gave top-ranked Alabama a pair of 100-yard rushers in the same game for the first time this season and the duo combined for five scores in a soggy, weather-delayed 42-10 victory over Missouri on Saturday.
The defending national champion Crimson Tide (6-0, 3-0 SEC) led 21-0 late in the first quarter en route to their 10th straight victory, all by 19 or more points.
They did enough right after that to disappoint the few thousand fans who didn't leave for good during a 38-minute delay due to lightning. The Crimson Tide were awaiting the extra-point kick for a 28-0 cushion with 8:40 to go in the half after Yeldon's second scoring run when the game was halted.
Missouri's Marcus Murphy set a school single-season record with his fourth kick return for touchdown, a 98-yard kickoff return in the second quarter right after the weather delay. The Tigers (3-4, 0-4) have been outscored 126-55 in their first season in the SEC, and have been competitive to the finish in only last week's 19-15 loss at home to Vanderbilt
Top-ranked Alabama's biggest opponent was the elements. That was no contest, either.
Backup quarterback Corbin Berkstresser, a redshirt freshman subbing for injured James Franklin, was 12 for 29 for 126 yards with two interceptions. Missouri, held to 129 total yards, has next weekend off and Franklin could return from a left knee strain at home against Kentucky Oct. 27.
Lacy had a career-best 177 yards on 18 carries and three touchdowns, including a 73-yarder on the game's second snap, for his second 100-yard game of the year. Yeldon had 144 yards on 18 carries and two TDs, also his second time in triple digits this season.
Trent Richardson and Jalston Fowler each gained more than 100 yards at Mississippi last October.
Alabama remained interception-free on the year after AJ McCarron went 16 for 21 for 171 yards. McCarron showed his toughness, too, staying in the game with a quick wrap after his right shin made contact with defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson's helmet.
The game was halted after several lightning strikes around Faurot Field. The stands were evacuated just after Yeldon's 15-yard TD run — the last 5 on a leap for the pylon.
Missouri got some momentum from the unexpected break, but not nearly enough. After play resumed with the extra-point kick, Murphy got the Tigers on the scoreboard with his record-setting kickoff return.
The Tigers were on the verge of slicing further into Alabama's cushion, advancing to the 8 at the end of the half off a fumbled snap by punter Cody Mandell. But Adrian Hubbard stripped Berkstresser on a sack and C.J. Mosley ended up with the ball at the Missouri 49 with two seconds left.
The Crimson Tide quickly took control of the game, converting a blocked punt by Brandon Collins with a 17-yard drive capped by Yeldon's 1-yard run to make it 21-0.
Lacy scored on the game's second snap, cutting back across the field and leaving Kenronte Walker grabbing air at the Missouri 40 on a 73-yard run. Alabama then capitalized on Vinnie Sunseri's second interception of the year, on a ball in and out of the arms of L'Damian Washington. Running a fleaflicker, McCarron hit Kenny Bell for a 44-yard gain to the 6 to set up Lacy's second TD on a 3-yarder.
With rain intensifying, Brandon Collins stormed through the three-man shield untouched on the blocked punt.
NOTES: Murphy broke the school mark of three scoring returns set in 1973 by John Moseley, with two punt returns and a kickoff return. ... Lacy's previous career best was 161 against North Texas. ... Country crooner Sara Evans, a native of nearby Boonville, sang the National Anthem. ... Missouri freshman WR Dorial Green-Beckham was back on the field after missing a one-week suspension following a marijuana-related arrest. .... Alabama has held its last 20 opponents to 300 or fewer yards. ... Misouri TE Eric Waters was carted off the field after slamming his helmet to the turf on a 1-yard reception in the final minute.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.