Tigers squeak out OT victory

By The Associated Press     Dec 30, 2008

Eric Gay/AP Photo
Missouri QB Chase Daniel scrambles as he is pursued by Northwestern’s Brian Peters.

? Chase Daniel threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin in overtime and Missouri rallied to beat Northwestern, 30-23, in the Alamo Bowl on Monday night.

After the 25th-ranked Tigers scored on the opening possession of overtime, their defense delivered, too. Missouri sacked a backpedaling C.J. Bacher, forcing a fumble that left Northwestern with fourth-and-goal from the 32-yard line. Bacher’s desperation heave into the end zone was knocked down, and Daniel rushed off the sideline with his teammates to celebrate.

The win gave Missouri (10-4) double-digit victories in consecutive seasons for the first time in school history. The No. 22 Wildcats (9-4) fell to 1-6 in bowl games, with their only win coming in 1949.

Playing his final college game, Daniel overcame three interceptions to lead the Tigers back in the fourth quarter.

“I’ve never had something like that,” Daniel said. “I was just glad I could help the team in the end. I was obviously hurting the team very bad in the beginning.”

Jeff Wolfert made three field goals, including a 37-yarder with 2:49 remaining that tied it 23-all. But he missed a 44-yard attempt that could have won it for Missouri as time expired.

“We were all a little stunned,” Pinkel said. “We got it together quickly.”

Daniel, who finished fourth in 2007 Heisman Trophy voting, matched a season high with his three interceptions. He was 27-of-44 for 200 yards and two touchdown passes.

The speedy Maclin, a first-team All-America as an all-purpose player, also returned a punt 75 yards for a score that tied it at 10.

Bacher threw for 304 yards and tied an Alamo Bowl record with three TD tosses.

Wildcats kicker Amado Villarreal missed an extra point in the third quarter that could have made the difference in regulation.

“We didn’t have a moral victory tonight, OK,” Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “We’re very disappointed that we lost the game. We fought hard and we fought valiantly, but there are not moral victories.”

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