Missouri’s offense finally scored a touchdown, its first since Oct. 3, but little else went right for the Tigers in a rain-soaked 31-13 loss Thursday night to Mississippi State.

The Tigers have lost four straight and fell to 1-5 in the SEC.

the Tigers are still in the midst of a four-game losing streak and with only three games left, they need a strong finish to avoid a completely disastrous 2015 campaign.

5 Takeaways

1. QB Dak Prescott was the difference. Not only did Prescott become the sixth player in SEC history with 100 career touchdowns, but he proved to be the best player on the field Thursday night. Missouri hadn’t allowed a 250-yard passing game all season, and on an impossible night for throwing, Prescott shredded the Tigers for 303 yards and 4 TDs.

2. QB Drew Lock was not. The freshman has gone four consecutive games without a touchdown pass, and his passing yards have regressed each game: 151, 143, 108 to 107 Thursday night. In fairness, he wasn’t supposed to be in this position this early in his career, but Maty Mauk’s suspension changed everything.

3. Missouri produces sack artists. Whether it’s Markus Golden, Shane Ray, Charles Harris or Walter Brady, Missouri continues to develop young talent to rush the passer. Harris and Brady each recorded a sack Thursday. Both have 7.0 this season, tied for third in the SEC.

4. Secondary issues. Missouri entered the game allowing the fewest passing yards in the SEC, but the Tigers’ secondary couldn’t handle Mississippi State’s top two receivers, Fred Ross and De’Runnya Wilson.

The duo combined for 15 receptions for 217 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Afterward, Prescott told reporters he favors Wilson in any matchup.

“I’ve said it year-round,” Prescott said. “I’ll take him vs. any cornerback one-on-one, at any time.”

5. Missouri needs to stick with the run game. Missouri ranks last in the SEC in rushing. A huge reason has been Russell Hansbrough’s health. Hansbrough topped 1,000 yards last season, but Thursday was the first time this season he carried more than 15 times. He finished with 62 yards and scored his first touchdown this season.

Ish Witter added 81 on 12 carries after being limited to just eight carries in the previous two games.

Report Card

Offense: C-. The Tigers stuck with the running game early and often, finishing with 215 yards on 45 attempts, both season highs. The problem is that QB Drew Lock could only muster 107 passing yards and threw two interceptions. As it has for much of the season, the offense cost the Tigers again Thursday.

Defense: B-. Missouri made plenty of big plays, but not enough to offset another off night from its offense, which converted just 5-16 third down attempts. The Tigers sacked Dak Prescott three times and allowed just 163 yards rushing.

Big plays in the passing game were the difference. Prescott completed six passes that went for 20 or more yards.

Special teams: B. The decision to kick a field goal in the torrential downpour halfway through the second quarter was not an easy choice, but with his offense struggling it was the right one.

Missouri’s blocked punt in the first half also helped keep the team alive for the first half, but for every big play the Tigers got from the unit, they gave one right back to the Bulldogs.

Coaching: C. Without much of a passing game to speak it’s hard to not blame the Missouri coaching at this point. Just look at the outcry on Twitter to see OC Josh Henson fired.

Game Balls

  • Kentrell Brothers might have just played his best game of the year with 14 tackles, putting him at 117 tackles on the season, one forced fumble and this tremendous blocked punt to keep the Tigers alive. How did he not get a Dick Butkus Award nomination?

  • RB Tyler Hunter had the best game of his Missouri career, accumulating 120 total yards on just seven touches. The senior running back had just 64 rushing yards and 166 receiving yards prior to Thursday.

Injury Report

RB Russell Hansbrough: After scoring his first touchdown of the season, and just the Tigers’ third rushing touchdown of 2015, the senior running back came off the field game hobbling a bit after the loss. Hansbrough hasn’t been 100 percent all season.