Nashville, TN, October 27, 2025
News Summary
The Missouri Tigers faced a challenging SEC matchup against the No. 10 Vanderbilt Commodores, ultimately losing 17-10. Missouri, ranked No. 15, suffered its second defeat of the season, dropping their record to 6-2. Starting quarterback Beau Pribula was injured during the game, leading to true freshman Matt Zollers taking over. Missouri momentarily led after a touchdown pass, but key penalties allowed Vanderbilt to reclaim the lead late in the fourth quarter. Despite a valiant effort to tie the game, Missouri fell short, as they prepare for their next encounter with Texas A&M.
Nashville, TN – The Missouri Tigers faced a tough challenge against the No. 10 Vanderbilt Commodores on October 25, falling short with a final score of 17-10 in an SEC showdown at FirstBank Stadium. The loss marked the Tigers’ second defeat of the season, dropping their record to 6-2, while Vanderbilt improved to 7-1 overall.
Entering the matchup, Missouri was ranked No. 15 in The Associated Press poll and stood at 6-1 with a 2-1 record in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Vanderbilt, on the other hand, held the No. 10 spot, also with a 6-1 record and a 2-1 SEC standing. Both teams were vying for crucial college football playoff standings, which made the outcome of the game even more significant.
Missouri’s starting quarterback, Beau Pribula, suffered an injury during the game on a pivotal fourth-and-goal play in the third quarter and had to be carted off the field. Following his injury, Pribula did not return to the game and was seen using crutches as he exited the field post-game. At the time of the injury, the score was tied at 3-3.
True freshman quarterback Matt Zollers stepped in for Pribula and orchestrated a strong 12-play, 75-yard scoring drive, culminating in a touchdown pass to tight end Jude James. This touchdown gave Missouri hope as they momentarily gained the lead. However, a series of penalties against the Tigers allowed Vanderbilt to capitalize, ultimately leading to a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Diego Pavia that put Vanderbilt back in the lead late in the fourth quarter.
In a desperate final effort to tie the game, Missouri attempted a hail-mary pass, but it fell just short of the end zone, sealing the Tigers’ fate at 10-17. Missouri previously secured a win against Auburn in a thrilling double overtime game just before this matchup, further intensifying the anticipation for the SEC battle against Vanderbilt.
The atmosphere was electric as ESPN’s College GameDay made a long-awaited return to Vanderbilt University, its first visit since 2008. Country music star Dierks Bentley performed on the College GameDay set prior to the kickoff, adding to the excitement of the day.
With this victory, Vanderbilt now holds a 12-4-1 advantage in their all-time series against Missouri. Mizzou’s linebacker Josiah Trotter demonstrated exceptional defensive skills with multiple key tackles during the game, including tackles for loss against Vanderbilt’s running backs. Meanwhile, Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy provided a significant offensive contribution with notable yardage gains.
The Tigers enter a bye week in Week 10 and will regroup to face No. 3 Texas A&M in Week 11. As Missouri reflects on this game, they will look to bounce back and maintain their hopes for a successful season.
FAQ
What was the final score of the game between Missouri Tigers and Vanderbilt Commodores?
The final score was 17-10 in favor of the Vanderbilt Commodores.
What happened to Missouri’s starting quarterback during the game?
Beau Pribula injured his leg during a fourth-and-goal play in the third quarter and did not return to the game.
Who replaced Beau Pribula after his injury?
True freshman quarterback Matt Zollers replaced Beau Pribula.
What event marked the atmosphere at the game?
ESPN’s College GameDay was present at Vanderbilt University for the game.
What does this loss mean for Missouri’s season?
The loss marked Missouri’s second defeat of the season, impacting their standings for the College Football Playoff.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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ESPN’s College GameDay Comes to Vanderbilt University
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Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball Team Prepares for NCAA Tournament
Vanderbilt Commodores Prepare for NCAA Tournament Showdown
Vanderbilt Edges Out Missouri in Overtime Thriller
Historic Night for Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball
Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes Sets New SEC Scoring Record
Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball Upsets No. 6 Tennessee
Additional Resources
- The Telegraph
- Wikipedia: Missouri Tigers Football
- Rock M Nation
- Google Search: Missouri Tigers Football
- Sports Illustrated
- Google Scholar: College Football Playoff
- KWOS
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Vanderbilt Commodores
- Columbia Missourian
- Google News: Missouri Tigers vs Vanderbilt Commodores
Author: HERE Nashville
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