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Mauk, Missouri top South Dakota State

Aug 31, 2014 - 6:56 AM Columbia, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - Maty Mauk threw two of his three touchdown passes to Darius White as 24th-ranked Missouri opened the season with a 38-18 win over FCS foe South Dakota State.

Russell Hansbrough had 126 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries for the Tigers (1-0), who posted 12 victories and captured the SEC Eastern Division title last season.

"We had a lot of inconsistency we have to clean up and that is stuff we can fix," Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel said.

Zach Lujan completed 21-of-28 passes for 239 yards with one interception in place of South Dakota State starter Austin Sumner. Sumner suffered a right foot/ankle injury on a first-quarter scramble and is expected to miss significant time.

Zach Zenner had two touchdown runs for the Jackrabbits (0-1).

"I think other than big plays, we played some really good football today. We'll come back and be a better team next Saturday," South Dakota State head coach John Stiegelmeier said.

The game looked to be a shootout in the early going as both teams scored quickly on their opening possessions.

After Mauk connected with White for a 44-yard touchdown on the third play of the game, Zenner ripped off a 75-yard scamper to the end zone on South Dakota State's first play from scrimmage.

Mauk and White hooked up again, this time for a 39-yard scoring strike to restore the lead for Missouri.

The advantage stretched to 21-7 when Hansbrough ran for a 10-yard touchdown after Duron Singleton picked off Sumner.

Missouri's offense stalled in the second quarter and it carried a 21-10 lead into halftime after Justin Syrovatka converted a 39-yard attempt for the visitors.

Zenner scored on a 3-yard run to cap the opening drive of the third quarter. A successful 2-point conversion closed the gap to 21-18, but Marcus Murphy returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.

The Jackrabbits quickly moved the ball into Missouri territory on their next series. Lujan threw toward the end zone, where Aarion Penton made the interception.

Missouri put the game away in the fourth quarter. Mauk found Bud Sasser for a 29-yard touchdown before Andrew Baggett, who missed two field goals earlier in the game, nailed a 44-yarder.

Game Notes

The Tigers have forced a turnover in 45 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NCAA ... Missouri upped its record to 14-0 all-time against FCS opponents ... The Tigers also won their 13th straight season opener ... South Dakota State faced an FBS opponent for the seventh consecutive season, but is still searching for its first win against one since moving to Division I in 2004.