Columbia, MO (Sports Network) - Blaine Gabbert and T.J. Moe connected on a 68- yard scoring strike with under a minute remaining to lift the Missouri Tigers to a thrilling 27-24 victory over the San Diego State Aztecs in a non- conference clash at Memorial Stadium.
Gabbert threw for 351 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions to pace the Tigers (3-0), while Michael Egnew hauled in 13 passes for 145 yards and Moe added seven catches for 119 yards to go with the decisive score.
Ronnie Hillman ran for a game-high 228 yards and scored two touchdowns to lead the way for San Diego State (2-1), while signal-caller Ryan Lindley threw for 190 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in the loss.
The Tigers struck first in this one, as De'Vion Moore found the end zone following a 17-yard run to cap a nine-play, 80-yard opening drive.
The Aztecs responded midway through the period with an 11-yard Walter Kazee touchdown scamper.
The Tigers took a 10-7 lead with under a minute to go in the opening frame with a 34-yard Grant Ressel field goal.
An 11-yard run from Gabbert with a minute to go in the half gave the Tigers a 17-7 advantage, but the Aztecs responded with a 75-yard Hillman run with under 30 seconds left to make it a 17-14 game at halftime.
Ressel gave the Tigers a 20-14 lead midway through the third quarter with a 38-yard kick.
A 93-yard touchdown burst from Hillman early in the final period of play awarded San Diego State with its first lead of the day at 21-20.
The Aztecs added to the advantage late in the period with a 25-yard Abel Perez kick to earn a 24-20 lead, but the late heroics of Gabbert and Moe spoiled any remaining upset hopes.
Both schools ended up with 440 yards of total offense, even though the Tigers managed just 89 yards on the ground, compared to 250 for SDSU.