SAN ANTONIO — It looked like missed kicks would ruin the Cats today.

Amado Villarreal had missed a field goal and an extra point earlier in the game, leaving the game tied at 23 going into the final minutes.

Missouri took possession of the ball at its own 34-yard line with 1:32 remaining in the game and efficiently moved the ball into field goal range, with Chase Daniel making a few nice completions.

Finally, Mizzou decided it had gone far enough for Jeff Wolfert, who was 3-for-3 on field goals for the game. After each team took a timeout, Wolfert had a chance from 43 yards, in the middle of the field.

Wide right. New life for the Cats.

This one has gone to overtime. It looks like a classic.

SAN ANTONIO — Northwestern had a chance for a game-winning drive but could not convert. But after starting at its own 20 with just under three minutes to play, NU went three and out and punted back to Mizzou, which had just tied the game with a field goal.

Missouri now has a chance, starting on its own 34-yard line with more than 90 seconds to go.

The NU defense held Mizzou to a game-tying field goal, but suffered a huge loss in the process. While pursuing Chase Daniel, defensive end Corey Wootton fell to the ground, his knee buckling when he tried to change direction. He had to be helped off the field and will not return.

The Cats also had a chance to prevent the field goal when Daniel overthrew his receiver. But the ball went through Sherrick McManis’ hands. Eventually, Jeff Wolfert hit a 37-yard field goal.

SAN ANTONIO –This one’s going to go right down to the end.

Perhaps energized by retaking the lead, the NU defense came out with another fine effort to start the fourth quarter. The Cats forced a punt about a minute into the period and took over on their own 10-yard line.

NU picked up one first down, as C.J. Bacher connected with Rasheed Ward, putting Ward over 100 yards for the game. But a few plays later, defensive end Styker Sulak got his second sack of the game, blowing past Al Netter again and forcing an NU punt.

The Tigers got great field position at the NU 49-yard line but couldn’t do anything with it after getting one first down. NU did a great job on an attempted reverse, as linebackers Prince Kwateng and Nate Williams combined to drop Jared Perry for a five-yard loss. On third down, Daniel had Tommy Saunders open down the right sideline but threw wildly and far out of bounds.

However, Mizzou punter Jake Harry helped out his squad by pinning NU at its own goal line. NU tried to move the ball down the field but was hampered by two holding calls on Keegan Kennedy. After a 17-yard run by Tyrell Sutton moved the back over 100 yards for the game, the Cats had 3rd-and-4 on their own 21 but Bacher threw incomplete to Ward. The Cats punted, and Mizzou has the ball on its own 48 with 5:56 left, down by three.

SAN ANTONIO –Ross Lane just made the biggest catch of his excellent career.

With the ball on the Mizzou 24-yard line, C.J. Bacher lofted a pass to the back of the end zone to Lane. The ball just floated over the outstretched hands of strong safety Kenji Jackson. Lane, who was behind Jackson, leaped and made the catch, falling backwards and dragging one his feet just in front of the back line. The play resulted in a touchdown and a 23-20 NU lead after the extra point with 34 seconds left in the quarter.

The play was made possible by safety Brad Phillips, who intercepted  Chase Daniel, jumping in front of  his pass to the left sideline. Three plays later, Lane came through with his huge catch.

Before that, it looked like NU was in trouble, when C.J. Bacher was intercepted by Brock Christopher. That play led to a field goal that made it 20-16 Missouri.