The way Missouri players carried coach Gary Pinkel off the field following the 19-8 loss to Tennessee was heartwarming, but not the way Pinkel wanted to leave Memorial Stadium in his last game.

It began as what seemed to be a field goal exhibition for Tennessee K Aaron Medley, who hit four-of-five field goal attempts.

The Tigers’ lackluster offense continued a season-long trend as it collected just 223 yards, and just 88 of those were rushing.

Meanwhile, the Tigers’ defense, which has carried the team much of the season, gave up more than 250 rushing yards for the first time since 2013.

It took Missouri until early in the fourth quarter to get on the scoreboard, and they needed almost failed to score on a first-and-goal setup at the Tennessee 1-yard line. Officials first overturned a would-be 23-yard touchdown pass — replay put the ball at he 1 — before Missouri QB Drew Lock scored on a fourth-down run, and then completed a pass for a two-point conversion.

TAKEAWAYS

  1. Missouri’s three-year winning streak against Tennessee was snapped.
  2. Now at 5-6, Missouri needs to win at Arkansas on Friday to become bowl eligible.
  3. Missouri needs a win against Arkansas to avoid just a second losing season in the last 11 under Pinkel.
  4. RB Jalen Hurd had 151 rushing yards for Tennessee, the first player to rush for more than 100 yards against Missouri since Alabama’s Derrick Henry last year in the SEC Championship Game.
  5. At 28 degrees, the game was the fourth-coldest in Tennessee history. It was the coldest home game at Missouri with Pinkel as the coach.

REPORT CARD

Offense: (F) — While the offense started five possessions at its own 11 or worse, the unit never found a rhythm, and was just 2-for-15 on third down. Perhaps in support of his defense, or an indictment of the offense, Pinkel chose to punt down 11 with 6:15 to play.

Defense: (B) — Hurd’s career night aside, the defense kept the Tigers close enough to make it interesting late because it forced five field goal attempts, some after the Tennessee offense was given excellent field position. Still, Hurd was the first opponent to rush for 100 yards against Missouri by halftime.

Special teams: (C) — With the offense struggling, Missouri needed a spark from its special teams, but didn’t get much in returns. Finis Stribling had four kick returns for 62 yards, and Aarion Penton had just 23 yards on two returns. The units also gave up four punts inside their own 20, and a 41-yard kickoff return to Evan Berry.

Coaching: (D) — While Pinkel admitted that emotions have run high recently, he told the players after the game that he “let them down,” an opinion they quickly disputed. But the Tigers never showed much chance of upsetting the Vols, as they searched for answers on both sides of the ball early in the game.

Overall: (D) — Pinkel said he told his players to “focus up, don’t let distractions get to you. But there’s been a lot of stuff going on.” It’s difficult to say Missouri didn’t let distractions get in the way. Between Senior Night, Pinkel’s last game and a confident Tennessee team, Missouri had an uphill battle from the outset.

GAME PLAN

Missouri had a lot going for it entering the game. It honored its 2005 Independence Bowl team, saluted the seniors’ final home game, and waved goodbye to Pinkel in his last home game. The air was let out as Missouri turned it over on its first possession before a crowd with plenty of empty seats. The stagnant offense left the defense on the field for 36:18 compared to 23:42 for Missouri’s offense.

GAME BALLS

LB Kentrell Brothers — The nation’s leading tackler entering the week had 12 tackles in the loss.

C Evan Boehm — Started his 51st consecutive game, a Missouri record, and was one of the players who carried Pinkel from the middle of the field off the field with the help of Connor McGovern.

INJURIES

No injuries reported Saturday night.