2017 Week 7

Nebraska State got back on track with a 49-7 drubbing of Missouri Saturday in Columbia.

After losing three in a row, NSU went back to the basics and gave Missouri a huge dose of Scott Franklin. Franklin scored four touchdowns and rushed for a season-leading 154 yards in the rout. Franklin scored the first two touchdowns of the game in the first quarter and added one in last drive of the first half and another in the opening drive of the third.

"We wanted to establish the run today and Franklin allowed us to do that, which then opened up the passing game," said NSU coach Ryan Ditka.

Schifano, who many thought would see limited action in reserve after poor performances in NSU's three loses, started at quarterback and completed 12-21 for 205 yards and touchdown. Many fans thought it was going to be another long day after Schifano threw a pick on NSU's second play of the game. He stayed in the game and responded later with an 88-yard bomb to Austin to give NSU an answer moments after Missouri scored its only points of the game.

Schifano showed poise he lacked in the three previous games. One a second quarter drive, Schifano completed 3rd down conversions from 14, 15 and 10 yards to set up his six-yard touchdown run which also came on third down.

"I know Tony has taken some shots in the media this week, but we knew if we stuck with him he'd work things out. Today he looked good despite the rain," Dikta said.

The Prairie Dog defense handcuffed Missouri's impact quarterback, Joe Moore. Moore was intercepted on his second attempt and wound up throwing three in the game...two to Alston which also recovered a Tiger fumble. Missouri was limited to just 18 total yards in the first quarter and 54 at halftime. Mizzou's only sustained drive netted a 17-yard touchdown pass to Tyree late in the third on a 13-play drive.

The win moves NSU to 3-3 and 1-2 in the Big 12 as the team prepates for Oklahoma State, which was ranked in the preseason but has since fell out of the ratings.