October 12, 2003 FIZZLE IN THE 4TH Missouri scores 27 unanswered points in 4th quarter to down Huskers 41-24 By Jim D. Berryman MissingNebraska.com Editor It hasn’t happened since 1978, but Saturday night it happened. The Missouri Tigers defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers 41-24 in Columbia, MO and the goal posts at Faurot Field can’t be found. Also not found Saturday night was the Husker defense in the 4th quarter. The Tigers score 27 unanswered points against the much-heralded Nebraska Blackshirts in the final quarter, and held Nebraska to negative yards. Ugly, yes ugly indeed. Nebraska drops to 5-1, 1-1. The Tigers improve to 5-1, 1-1 The victory set off a wild celebration on and off the field in Columbia, as fans celebrated a victory over Nebraska, something many of the students in the stands Saturday night had never seen. But it didn’t have to be that way. Nebraska led the Tigers 24-14 going into the 4th quarter after trailing Mizzou 14-10 at halftime. The Huskers were looking good. Husker fans were already starting to worry about Texas A&M in Lincoln this Saturday and the 70-some points the Aggies scored Saturday against Baylor. Needless to say, the worrying started a bit too soon. Somebody forgot to tell Missouri that they were going to lose. The Tigers ripped the Huskers in the 4th quarter, setting the stage for a celebration not seen in Columbia in quite some time. For the most part, the Huskers beat themselves. Fumble after fumble, penalty after penalty. Sure it was rainy and slick, but the Tigers were playing in the same conditions. A team can’t give away the ball or give away yardage on penalties and expect to win against an improved team on the road. Not going to happen and it didn’t Saturday night. Still, the Huskers are anything but out of the Big 12 North title race. With Kansas State losing, Colorado knocking off Kansas, and Iowa State losing, it’s really anybody’s title to win. It just depends on who wants it the most. It will be interesting to see the Husker reaction this Saturday when Texas A&M comes to Lincoln. We hope a few lessons were learned. Most of all, hats off to Mizzou. A huge win for a program that was one of the most depressed 4-1 teams in the nation before Saturday, all because of a loss to arch rival Kansas. Things seem to turn around when a team beats Nebraska. We’ll see if the Tigers build on Saturday’s huge win over the Huskers. Don’t party too hearty Tigers, we’ll see you next year in Lincoln. Post Feedback NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS vs. MISSOURI TIGERS GAME STORIES & LINKS 10-12-03: Misery in Mizzou More from LJS 10-12-03: Missouri's futility against NU ends More from OWH 10-12-03: Tricks give MU at treat More from St. Louis Post-Dispatch 10-12-03: Smith breaks out against Blackshirts More from GII Huskers 2003 Schedule/Results Huskers on ESPN.com Husker Hot Pics AP Photos Husker Game Watch Locations Nationwide