LOOK: Much-maligned Mizzou defense receives big praise following solid first half vs. Georgia

After looking terrible against Purdue last week, the Mizzou defense rebounded in a big way against Georgia on Saturday.

In the first half, the Tigers ended up going down 20-7, but that wasn’t the defense’s fault. The defense only allowed six of those points, as a fumble-return touchdown and a blocked punt led to the Bulldogs’ other points.

Fans flocked to Twitter late in the second quarter to praise the Tigers’ impressive defensive effort against the No. 2 team in the country:

https://twitter.com/imhoff_matt/status/1043554794579800064

MIZZOU’S DEFENSE IS SHUTTING DOWN GEORGIA

— Zachgan Stankoven (@ZWal93) September 22, 2018

Mizzou has only allowed six points defensively and somehow Georgia leads Missouri 20-7 at halftime. This defense deserves better today.

— Garrick Hodge (@Garrick_Hodge) September 22, 2018

https://twitter.com/FeinJake/status/1043555458882174979

Mizzou defense: ?

Mizzou offense and everything else: WHAT ARE YOU DOING

— MK Burgess (@MK_Burgess) September 22, 2018

The media ripped Mizzou's defense all week, and those boys are out there hunting Dawgs today. #GeorgiaFootball #MIZ?? #SEC | #UGAvsMIZ 20-7

— Andrea Katherine (@AndreaKatSTL) September 22, 2018

Wow. Georgia brought in about 15 offensive linemen on 4th-and-short, and the Mizzou defense still stopped it.

— Barrett Sallee ?? (@BarrettSallee) September 22, 2018

https://twitter.com/ThePaytonKearns/status/1043555054383448064

https://twitter.com/BlackSheep_Mizz/status/1043555027246309377

Mizzou defense on the sideline like pic.twitter.com/KyPNC0x8Aw

— Sam (@the_sambo24) September 22, 2018

Drew Lock and the offense have their work cut out for them in the second half to live up to the effort the defense showed.

At only 20-7, though, a comeback is certainly possible.