The No. 23 Missouri Tigers trailed 21-6 at halftime to South Carolina. It looked like every other first-half performance in the Tigers’ other two losses that resulted in blowouts and in each one of those games, the second half only got uglier.
Fortunately for Missouri, a different story unfolded against the Gamecocks in the second half. Missouri got a stop on its first defensive possession and the first offensive drive resulted in a Marcus Carroll rushing touchdown. The so-called grittiness of this Missouri team that head coach Eli Drinkwitz references so often was in full effect in Columbia, S.C. Unfortunately for the Tigers, they came up just short.
“[I] just think there’s a relentlessness that our team plays with and believes in and [we] just didn’t have enough tonight,” Drinkwitz said.
A few select moments in the first half ended up directly impacting the final score. Missouri kicker Blake Craig was called upon multiple times in the first half because of the Tigers’ inability to score touchdowns in the red zone, but his one miss on four attempts would have narrowed the score.
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Trailing 7-6 with seven minutes remaining in the first half, Gamecock quarterback LaNorris Sellers was picked off by Tiger defensive back Dreyden Norwood. An opportunity to take the lead was right in the hands of the Missouri offense, but an incompletion to receiver Marquis Johnson, a short toss to Luther Burden III and an eight-yard sack in which Cook was the victim shut down the drive quicker than it started. Craig then missed the field goal the following play and the Tigers failed to capitalize on a great early scoring opportunity.
“I think that’s the difference in the game,” Drinkwitz said. “In the first half, we had the fourth down stop and we had the turnover and didn’t get any points off the turnover.”
Third downs were an issue all night too. Three of Craig’s four attempts came in the first half and were a symbol of the Tigers’ inability to score touchdowns. If one of those field goal attempts was a touchdown instead, again, the final score is completely different.
“Our inability to convert third downs in the red zone in the first half was it was why we were behind,” Drinkwitz said.
Cook did not have an awful first half, but he too missed opportunities the Tigers could have capitalized on.
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“I mean, it’s those third downs in the first half that we were not able to convert on and we had to kick it,” Cook said. “That’s a huge deal.”
There were moments in the game where the energy levels faltered. At some points, Cook was a part of that bad energy. Coming back after being down 21-6 would never be easy and a hot start to begin the second half and everyone needed to be ready to go. Cook started slow, but thanks to his teammates, he was revitalized.
“I’ll say the team picked me up and I was even feeling a little flat coming out at halftime and immediately I realized the energy’s up,” Cook said. “We’re in a good spot.”
After the third loss of the season, the Tigers travel to Starkville, Miss to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Kickoff is slated for 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Mizzou Falls to South Carolina in Back and Fourth Battle Mizzou Tigers Football Schedule, Results, Bowl Possibilities Instant Takeaways From Mizzou’s Climactic Loss to South Carolina
Two people were seriously injured in a crash Wednesday morning in Cole County on Route B, south of Spring Ridge Road, near St. Thomas, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Around 11:50 a.m., a 2020 Honda CRV SUV driven by a 67-year-old woman from Meta attempted to turn southbound onto Route B and traveled into the path of 2018 Freightliner Cascadia semitruck driven by a 71-year-old-man, according to the crash report.
The driver of the Honda and the passenger, a 66-year-old-man from Meta, were not wearing seat belts and were airlifted to University Hospital in Columbia, according to the crash report. Both sustained serious injuries, according to the report.
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The driver of the semitruck was not injured, according to the crash report.
As summer recreation ramps up across Missouri, safety officials are reminding residents that water safety begins long before anyone steps into a lake or river. Understanding the risks of water activities, knowing personal limits, and making responsible choices are the foundation of preventing tragedies on the water.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol and other safety agencies emphasize that natural waterways can present hidden hazards, including strong currents, sudden drop‑offs, and floating debris. Swimmers are urged to stay aware of their surroundings, use life jackets when appropriate, and avoid swimming alone.
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Officials say simple precautions—such as recognizing fatigue, monitoring weather conditions, and watching out for others in your group—can make the difference between a fun day on the water and a dangerous situation. As families head outdoors, authorities encourage everyone to treat water safety as a shared responsibility.
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 2, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 2 drawing
15-26-43-48-60, Mega Ball: 12
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
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Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 6-2-1
Midday Wild: 4
Evening: 0-2-0
Evening Wild: 2
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
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Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 4-9-6-4
Midday Wild: 5
Evening: 1-3-6-4
Evening Wild: 9
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
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Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 2 drawing
Early Bird: 13
Morning: 04
Matinee: 04
Prime Time: 08
Night Owl: 12
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Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from June 2 drawing
01-10-15-19-31
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
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To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
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For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
