BOISE, Idaho (Interstat) — In a hard-fought defensive struggle that came down to the final minute, the Alabama Crimson Tide edged the previously undefeated Missouri Tigers 27-24 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

A crowd of 57,321 watched as Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson threw three touchdown passes and the Crimson Tide defense made two critical fourth-quarter interceptions to seal the victory. The win improved Alabama’s record to 4-1, while Missouri suffered its first loss, falling to 5-0.

The game was a tale of two halves, with Alabama building a lead and Missouri mounting a furious comeback that ultimately fell short.

Alabama struck first, answering an early Missouri score with a methodical 78-yard drive. Simpson capped the series with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Riley, tying the game at 7-7 late in the first quarter.

The Crimson Tide took control in the second quarter. Simpson connected with Isaiah Horton on a 16-yard scoring strike to give Alabama a 14-7 lead. After a Missouri field goal cut the deficit, Alabama kicker Conor Talty nailed a 46-yard field goal to send the Crimson Tide into halftime with a 17-10 advantage.

Missouri seized momentum immediately after the break. On the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, Alabama’s Simpson was sacked by Zion Young and fumbled, with Missouri’s Damon Wilson II recovering at the Alabama 19-yard line. Four plays later, Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula scrambled for a 5-yard touchdown, tying the game at 17-17.

Alabama responded with a long, grinding 16-play drive that consumed over seven minutes of the clock but stalled deep in Missouri territory, resulting in a 22-yard Talty field goal to put the Crimson Tide back in front 20-17 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Alabama defense came up with a pivotal play early in the final period when Bray Hubbard intercepted a Pribula pass. The Crimson Tide offense then engineered a 62-yard drive, culminating in Simpson’s third touchdown pass of the day, a 1-yard toss to Daniel Hill, to extend the lead to 27-17 with just over three minutes remaining.

Missouri refused to go quietly. Pribula led a rapid 59-yard scoring drive, finding Donovan Olugbode for a 3-yard touchdown pass to pull the Tigers within three points at 27-24 with 1:40 left on the clock.

The Tigers’ onside kick attempt was recovered by Alabama, but the Crimson Tide offense was unable to run out the clock, giving Missouri one final possession with 37 seconds remaining. Pribula moved the Tigers to near midfield, but his last-ditch effort ended with a game-sealing interception by Dijon Lee Jr. as time expired.

Simpson finished an efficient 23 of 31 for 200 yards and the three scores for Alabama. Jam Miller anchored the ground game with 85 yards on 20 carries.

For Missouri, Pribula was 16 of 28 for 167 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, while also leading the team in rushing with 61 yards on 11 attempts. The Tigers’ defense was led by Josiah Trotter and a host of others, with Sterling Webb, Khalil Jacobs, and Damon Wilson II making impactful plays, including Wilson’s two sacks and forced fumble.

Alabama will host Tennessee in its next game on Oct. 18. Missouri will look to rebound on the road at Auburn the same day.