Missouri escapes Alamo with W

SAN ANTONIO -- Chase Daniel threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin in overtime and Missouri rallied to beat Northwestern 30-23 in the Alamo Bowl on Monday night.

After the 25th-ranked Tigers scored on the opening possession of overtime, their defense delivered, too. Missouri sacked a backpedaling C.J. Bacher, forcing a fumble that left Northwestern with fourth-and-goal from the 32-yard line.

Bacher's desperation heave into the end zone was knocked down, and Daniel rushed off the sideline with his teammates to celebrate.

The win gave Missouri (10-4) double-digit victories in consecutive seasons for the first time in school history. The No. 22 Wildcats (9-4) fell to 1-6 in bowl games, with their only win coming in their first bowl appearance in 1949.

Playing his final college game, Daniel overcame three interceptions to lead the Tigers back from a three-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

ERIC GAY ~ Associated PressMissouri players celebrate their overtime win Monday in the Alamo Bowl.

Jeff Wolfert made a 37-yard field goal with 2:49 remaining to tie it 23-23, but he missed a 44-yard attempt that could have won it for Missouri as time expired.

Daniel, who finished fourth in 2007 Heisman Trophy voting, matched a season high with three interceptions. He was 26 of 44 for 197 yards and two touchdowns.

The speedy Maclin, a first-team All-American as an all-purpose player, also returned a punt 75 yards for a score that tied it at 10-10 in the second quarter.

Bacher threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns, going 27 of 43 passing. His 23-yard scoring toss to Ross Lane gave Northwestern a 23-20 lead in the third.