Missouri defeats Taisun Phommachanh and defeats UMass 45-3

University sports

The Tigers, who ranked 15th nationally in total defense, limited the Minutemen to 237 yards and 13 first downs.

By RICH THOMPSON, Associated Press

October 12, 2024 | 4:58 p.m

AMHERST, Mass. (AP) – Missouri receiver Luther Burden scored on a 61-yard jet sweep less than a minute into the game, and the 21st-ranked Tigers topped Massachusetts 45-3 on Saturday.

Missouri (5-1) bounced back from its 41-10 loss at Texas A&M last week with a blowout win over the Football Bowl Subdivision Independent. UMass (1-6) lost its third straight game.

Brady Cook completed 14 of 19 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns in three quarters, leaving Drew Pyne to lead the fourth quarter. Marcus Carroll ran for 91 yards on 13 carries and three touchdowns.

The Tigers, who ranked 15th nationally in total defense, limited UMass to 237 yards and 13 first downs.

Burden's long scoring run on the second play from scrimmage was his second rushing TD of the season. Carroll scored early in the second quarter on runs of 3 and 4 yards to make it 21-0.

UMass got into the game with a 28-yard field goal from Jacob Lurie. The Minutemen threatened late in the first half, driving to the Missouri 7 before linebacker Corey Flagg Jr. intercepted Taisun Phommachanh's pass over the middle. The Tigers took a 24-3 lead on Blake Craig's 43-yard field goal on the final play of the half.

Carroll's third touchdown came on a 35-yard run in the third quarter, and Cook followed with TD passes of 63 yards to Joshua Manning and 8 yards to Brett Norfleet.

Phommachanh was 12 of 22 for 132 yards and an interception, and Te'Rai Powell was the Minutemen's leading rusher with 39 yards on one carry. UMass managed just 95 yards on 31 carries.

Missouri: The Tigers used a balanced attack to gain 461 total yards and a strong defensive performance that limited a third-string opponent to three points or fewer.

UMass: The Minutemen played the first of three games this season against Southeastern Conference opponents. They will travel to Mississippi State and Georgia in November.

Missouri: hosts Auburn on Saturday.

UMass: hosts Wagner on Oct. 26.