COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri Tigers opened their 2024 season with an impressive show of dominance against Murray State, providing a sample of what to expect as this team’s mix of old and new talent hopes to continue off their previous years’ success.

Mindset

Coming into the season opener, all eyes were on Head Coach Eliah Drinkwitz as he hoped to prove last season’s success wasn’t a fluke, but an omen for more to come. Thursday’s 51-0 rout of the Racers seems to prove just that, marking Missouri’s first shutout since 2020. Comparatively, last season’s debut saw the Tigers put up 35 points against South Dakota. This year’s team would match that within the first half. Regardless of the opponent, it’s clear Missouri football hasn’t come to fool around. The “1-0” mindset that has become Drinkwitz’s trademark has seemingly ignited something deep within the Tigers as they prepare to battle tougher matchups down the road.

Rushing Offense

One of the big questions surrounding this new season would be who would fill the gap left behind by last year’s SEC leader in Rushing Yards Cody Schrader. His impact on the field made the Tigers a formidable opponent for any defense. His ability to break coverage and force extra yards were a determining factor in every game..

Seemingly Drinkwitz found the answer in a group of players who he assembled through recruitment and the transfer portal. Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll, Senior transfers from Appalachian State and Georgia State alike, would assume the bulk of the work in Thursday’s game, rushing for 48 and 35 yards while scoring a touchdown apiece. Freshmen Kewan Lacy and Jamal Roberts would add their share as well, with Lacy providing another 40+ yards and Roberts finding the endzone to add to Missouri’s tally.

It seems likely that seniority will be the deciding factor moving forward on who starts for the Tigers as the competition gets tougher, but for now Drinkwitz has a plethora of talent to use at his disposal.

Defensive Ability

Another of Drinkwitz’s needs to fill was the defensive holes that were made as a result of the NFL Draft, which took key players like Darius Robinson, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Ty’Ron Hopper, and others off of the roster.

If there was any lack of ability, it didn’t show in Missouri’s home opener. The Tiger’s new and improved defense would pester Murray State Quarterback Jayden Johannsen all night, leaving him with a dismal 7/13 completed passes per attempt, 27 yards passing, and one interception in the end. The Racers would put up only 58 yards rushing as well, proving that nothing was getting past Missouri in their season debut.

All that being said, it should be noted that Murray State was an overmatched FCS team who came into the game with very slim chances of success at stopping an SEC team’s defense. However, if the Tigers produce that same level of tenacity throughout the remainder of the season–particularly in matchups against teams like Buffalo, Boston College, and Massachusetts–expect similar outcomes.

Final Thoughts

No answers are ever really given from week one of the College Football season as coaches figure out schemes, teams finalize rosters, and players battle through the weekly grind of reps in practice and games. However, any questions about Missouri’s potential for success have been answered, and as the competition level increases game-by-game, expect the Tigers to do the same as they hunt for a spot in this year’s College Football Playoff.