Before Thursday evening, the Missouri Tigers’ offense was the talk of the SEC, and not for good reason. In an offseason in which the Tigers lost their starting quarterback, and both starting wide receivers and running back’s, the future looked grim for Missouri football. After recruiting a highly touted transfer portal class, the Tigers had made some improvements; however, nearly every media outlet was still counting them out. Mizzou, who has coined the phrase “Something to Prove,” came out in last night’s season opener against Central Arkansas, and showed that to them, it is much more than just a hashtag.
Entering the game, head coach Eliah Drinkwitz had stated that he would be giving both Quarterbacks snaps in today’s game, to decide a starter ahead of their week 2 matchup against rivals Kansas. Drinkwitz had stated that the plan was to start Beau Pribula, the Penn State transfer, in the first half, and then allow Sam Horn to play the second half. Pribula entered the game and immediately found Marquis Johnson for a 49-yard touchdown on his first pass as a Tiger. Despite Mizzou’s hot start, the excitement would be dampened quickly, as on the following drive, Sam Horn entered the game for a designed QB run, and went down with an injury to his right leg, Horn would not return and was later spotted on crutches in Mizzou’s athletic facility. With Beau Pribula being presumed to have the starting job, Tigers fans all over wondered if Drinkwitz would pull his QB to protect him, however Missouri did just the opposite. Pribula would throw for another touchdown, as well as pick up two more rushing touchdowns, all while completing 23/28 passes, making for an elite performance in his first game in a Tigers uniform.
The Tigers also had major offensive contributions from their other recent acquisitions, with transfer WR Kevin Coleman Jr. putting on an impressive display of speed in his Missouri debut. Sophomore RB Ahmad Hardy also put on a show in his first game at Faurot Field, picking up 100 yards on 10 carries, as well as a one-yard TD rush. Hardy, who was regarded as one of the most talented running backs in the portal, used impressive speed on special teams as well. The trio of Hardy, Coleman, and Johnson is going to make it hard for SEC defenses to keep up this year.
Missouri’s defense also put on an impressive showing, allowing only six points, as well as picking up an 83-yard pick-six towards the end of the game. Defensive transfers Damon Wilson II and Josiah Trotter both stood out for the Tigers as well, recording a combined 10 tackles, with three of them being for a loss.
Despite the Tigers’ dominant performance, there is much to improve on from this win, going into next week against rivals kU. The Tigers’ offensive line looked subpar, with projected lottery pick Cayden Green being beaten many times on the edge to allow a QB hit. The Missouri offensive front also picked up a handful of holding calls on many explosive plays. If the Tigers want to be able to compete this season, Pribula will need to stay healthy, and as a result, the offensive line will need to step up. Mizzou also suffered two crucial injuries, one to potential starting QB Sam Horn and one to kicker Blake Craig, who had just hit field goals from 49 and 55 yards earlier in the game.
Despite Central Arkansas only being able to score six points, the Bears had a lone bright spot in last night’s performance, that being their special teams unit. Central Arkansas was able to pin Missouri within its own one-yard line on two separate occasions last night, and although both led to 99-yard scoring drives by the Tigers, the Bears’ special team unit could be a key piece later in the season against FCS opponents.
Central Arkansas will look to rebound from the season-opening loss against Arkansas Pine-Bluff on September 6th. The Tigers, however, will look to continue their dominance and advance to 2-0 against archrivals the Kansas Jayhawks, also on September 6th. This will be the two teams’ first time meeting since the Tigers’ 24-10 win in 2011.