Mizzou’s defense was just as fierce in Week Two as it was in Week One, but Week Two brought out the Theo Wease show in a convincing 38-0 win over Buffalo. Wease, despite being injured on the first play of the third quarter, finished with a career high 13 catches for 149 yards to help lead Mizzou to their first back-to-back shutouts since 1966 and the first back-to-back to open a season since 1935.

Even though Wease came back after his injury in the third quarter, the highlight of his night was the first half. The 5th year receiver had 10 catches before the teams hit the locker rooms.

“I had a pretty good night,” Wease said with a grin.

On the other side of the ball, the Tigers’ defense proved once again why they have been the storyline of the season. The Tigers have held their opponents scoreless through the first 8 quarters and kept Buffalo at just 3.3 yards per play on Saturday night.

Mizzou Head Coach Eli Drinkwitz was very complimentary of the defense.

“Really, really proud of the way our defense is playing,” said Drinkwitz. “We’ve gone 12 straight quarters without allowing a touchdown for the first time since 1941.”

Individually, Mizzou’s secondary stood out. Buffalo Quarterback C.J. Ogbonna finished the game 6-20 for just 55 yards.

Both Marvin Burks and Dreyden Norwood were prominent players in the back end. Burks picked off Ogbonna in the first quarter and Norwood successfully defended some of the slot fades that Buffalo was trying to hit throughout the game.

Throughout the game, we got a glimpse of how deep Mizzou is on the defensive line. The usual suspects were productive, but Jahkai Lang stood out with 1.5 sacks and essentially ended a Buffalo drive by himself in the 4th quarter.

Drinkwitz said that he gave a game ball to Eddie Kelly, whose mother passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday.

“For him to still be here and our team to play the way they did around him tonight was a special, special moment,” Drinkwitz said.

While Brady Cook and the offense didn’t have their best statistical night, they acknowledged what they did well and the strides they’re hoping to make. Cook was especially complimentary of the defense that backs them up.

“Shoutout to death row defense,” Cook said.

Wease also mentioned the “death row defense” by name when he was at the podium.

Mizzou is now halfway through their four game homestand that will open and complete the first third of their season. Through the first half, the Tigers have outscored their opponents Buffalo and Murray State 89-0. Now, they face two Power Four teams in Boston College and Vanderbilt before they hit their first bye. Despite the impressive defensive performances, Drinkwitz knows there is a lot to clean up.

“The frustrating thing for us offensively was we weren’t able to sustain drives because of penalties,” Drinkwitz said.

Mizzou was called for 10 penalties, all on the offense, while Buffalo was only called for two. On the season, the defense has not been called for a penalty yet.

While Mizzou hasn’t been challenged much at this point in the season, Drinkwitz and the players recognize that they are far from their ceiling. With a manageable schedule ahead, Drinkwitz especially knows the potential that this team has.

“I’d hate for us to be as good as we’re going to be all year,” Drinkwitz said.