Saturday night in college football delivered a trio of high-octane, heart-stopping games, each featuring dramatic swings, relentless rushing attacks, and moments that will be replayed for years to come. The Missouri Tigers, Memphis Tigers, and Auburn Tigers all took the field with something to prove—though the outcomes varied, every contest showcased grit, resilience, and the unpredictable magic of the sport.
Let’s start in Columbia, Missouri, where the Missouri Tigers faced off against South Carolina in an SEC showdown that, at times, seemed to teeter on the edge of disaster for the home side. The Tigers, playing without starting left tackle Cayden Green, struggled early with mistakes and miscues—coverage busts in the secondary, a costly interception from quarterback Beau Pribula, and missed opportunities in the red zone. But when the dust settled, Missouri emerged with a 29-20 victory, their record still unblemished at 4-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
The story of the night for Missouri was the ground game. Ahmad Hardy, who has quickly become a household name among SEC fans, bulldozed his way to 138 rushing yards and a third-quarter touchdown. Remarkably, Hardy has eclipsed the 100-yard mark in every game this season, making him the conference’s leading rusher. Not to be outdone, Jamal Roberts contributed a bruising 16-yard go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter, breaking tackle after tackle and putting the Tigers up for good.
Missouri’s offensive line, patched together due to injuries, paved the way for a jaw-dropping 287 rushing yards—nearly matching South Carolina’s total offensive output before the Gamecocks’ final, desperate drive. “Death, taxes, Hardy bouncing a tackle to get in the end zone. Much deserved,” wrote one local reporter as Hardy powered through defenders for his score. Clutch plays kept coming, with freshman walk-on kicker Robert Meyer drilling a career-long 40-yard field goal with just 1:34 to play, icing the game and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
On the defensive side, Missouri’s front seven made life miserable for South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers, racking up five sacks and eight tackles for loss. The Tigers held the Gamecocks to minus-10 rushing yards well into the second half, and only some breakdowns in the secondary kept the contest close. Pribula finished with 171 passing yards, one touchdown, and a pick, but Missouri’s ability to rebound from adversity and dominate on the ground proved decisive. Next up, they’ll host UMass on September 27, looking to keep their perfect record intact.
Meanwhile, in Memphis, the Tigers staged what may go down as the greatest comeback of the 2025 FBS season so far. Facing Arkansas at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis found themselves trailing by 18 points midway through the second quarter. The sellout crowd of 39,861—the program’s first since 2019—could have been forgiven for bracing for disappointment. Instead, they witnessed history.
Memphis clawed back, eventually toppling the Razorbacks 32-31 in a thriller that extended their winning streak to eight games, the longest active run in the FBS. It was the Tigers’ largest comeback since a 21-point rally against UCF in 2020, and the biggest by any FBS team this season. The program’s offensive consistency remained on full display, as Memphis notched its 44th consecutive game scoring at least 20 points—a streak that leads the nation.
The comeback was fueled by a punishing ground attack. Sutton Smith exploded for a career-high 148 rushing yards, including a 64-yard go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Brendon Lewis added 103 rushing yards and two scores, setting a school record for most rushing yards by a Memphis quarterback in at least three decades. Cortez Braham Jr. led the receivers with seven catches for 102 yards and a 38-yard touchdown that helped swing momentum before halftime.
Defense played its part, too. Cornerback Jaidyn Denis picked off Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green in the first quarter, setting the tone. But the biggest defensive play came with just over a minute left—safety Chris Bracy forced and recovered a fumble deep in Memphis territory, denying Arkansas a go-ahead field goal and preserving the Tigers’ narrow lead. Redshirt freshman quarterback Arrington Maiden then muscled through defenders for a crucial third-down conversion, sealing the win and sending the home fans into delirium.
“This was a total team effort. Our guys never quit, and the energy in the stadium was unbelievable,” said Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield after the game. The Tigers, now 4-0, turn their attention to their American Conference opener against Florida Atlantic on September 27, brimming with confidence and momentum.
While Missouri and Memphis celebrated dramatic wins, Auburn’s night in Norman, Oklahoma, ended in heartbreak. The No. 22 Tigers fell 24-17 to No. 11 Oklahoma in their SEC opener, but not without putting up a fight that had fans on both sides glued to their seats. The game was a defensive slugfest early, tied 10-10 at the half after a series of three-and-outs and clutch plays on both sides.
Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold showed poise, completing 21 of 32 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown. His connection with Cam Coleman—a 46-yard bomb from deep in Auburn territory and a fade for a 10th career touchdown—kept the Tigers in the hunt. Jeremiah Cobb sparked the ground game with a 44-yard dash, the longest run of the night.
In the fourth quarter, Malcolm Simmons capped a gutsy 75-yard drive with a game-tying touchdown, and Alex McPherson’s extra point gave Auburn a 17-16 lead with just over seven minutes to play. But Oklahoma responded with a rapid six-play, 75-yard march, capped by John Mateer’s 9-yard touchdown run. Auburn’s hopes for a comeback were dashed when Oklahoma’s relentless pass rush notched its 10th sack of the night, taking down Arnold in the end zone for a safety that sealed the Sooners’ win.
Xavier Atkins led Auburn’s defense with a career-high seven tackles, while Keldric Faulk recorded his 10th career sack. Despite the loss, Auburn showed resilience and flashes of brilliance on both sides of the ball. “We fought hard, but there’s work to do,” said head coach Hugh Freeze. The Tigers will look to regroup as they prepare to face No. 10 Texas A&M on September 27.
Three games, three different stories—but each a testament to the drama and excitement of college football. As the season barrels ahead, fans across the country can only wonder: what wild twists await next Saturday?
