Missouri @ South Dakota State

Missouri beat South Dakota State 21-19 in Brookings, SD on February 18, 2024, a dual decided by a string of bonus-point results more than close decisions. The final two-point margin underscored how every major, tech fall and fall mattered in this tight Big 12 meeting.

Missouri collected three bonus victories that carried the team. Noah Surtin’s 14-6 major decision at 125 pounds delivered four team points, and Keegan O’Toole turned in a dominant 22-5 technical fall at 165 for five more. At heavyweight, Zach Elam’s fall over Luke Rasmussen produced six team points and ultimately proved critical to Missouri’s total.

South Dakota State kept the dual alive with its own big scores. Derrick Cardinal answered with a 14-5 major decision at 133 for four points, and Tanner Sloan’s fall at 197 generated six points that kept SDSU within striking distance. Those bonus results created a back-and-forth feel, with neither side able to build an insurmountable lead.

With the final tally separating the teams by just two, bonus-point bouts were the deciding factor. Missouri’s combination of Surtin’s major, O’Toole’s technical fall and Elam’s fall supplied the margin of victory, while Cardinal and Sloan’s bonus wins made sure the match stayed tense until the end.