By: James Stanley

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri Tigers’ defense ruffled the feathers of the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks Saturday. The Tigers won 34-3 scoring early in the game with two touchdowns in the first quarter. Mizzou’s offense was stagnant in the second quarter, while the Redhawks soared and got their first and only points with a field goal toward the end of the first half.

However, the Tigers lost running back Russell Hansbrough in the opening quarter to a right leg injury after running for 23 yards on two carries.

Missouri did well on defense stopping the Redhawks 14 times on third downs, while allowing SEMO 56 yards through the air. Missouri quarterback Maty Mauk had trouble, completing 12 passes on 22 attempts for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Linebacker Kentrell Brothers had 16 tackles with eight of them for a loss. However, the best defensive play of the game came in the third quarter when Brothers blocked a punt on SEMO’s side of the field. Cornerback Aarion Penton fielded the punt and ran it back for a touchdown to put the Tigers up by 24 points.

Freshmen Terry Beckner Jr. and Drew Lock made their debuts for the Tigers in their native state of Missouri. Beckner made two tackles while Lock took several snaps and went 6-of-10 for 138 yards through the air. Lock’s highlight of the day came on a 78-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Hunt in the fourth quarter.

Next Saturday, Missouri will travel to Jonesboro, Ark. to take on the Arkansas State Red Wolves.