The Missouri Tigers defeated the Troy Trojans 27-17 at Memorial Stadium on Thursday despite managing just 230 total yards and 22:37 of possession. Daeden Hopkins recorded two sa...
Drinkwitz wants to get running back Xai'Shaun Edwards more involved against Mississippi State, as long as he keeps earning it in practice. Freshman Preston Hatfield could also take on a bigger role.
Missouri opens SEC play at Mississippi State, and Drinkwitz called the Bulldogs the most explosive offense in college football. Stopping QB Kamario Taylor and limiting big plays are the top priorities, and the Tigers practiced with cowbells ringing to prepare for the Starkville crowd.
Drinkwitz says the Tigers can't keep starting slow once SEC play begins. He praised the offensive line's pass protection against Troy, singled out Luke Work's performance, and noted Jamal Roberts ran for nearly six yards per carry.
Eli Drinkwitz gave special teams the credit for Missouri's win over Troy. After falling behind 10-0, the Tigers got a DaMarion Fowlkes punt return TD, a Brunno Reus punt pinned at the Troy 1, and clutch kicks from Blake Craig, then scored 24 unanswered points.
After several years of weak non-conference schedules, Dennis Gates' Tigers have one of the country's toughest. It includes Kansas and Illinois, neutral-site games against Saint Louis, Marquette and Nebraska, a trip to Indiana, and Pittsburgh in the ACC-SEC Challenge.
Missouri next goes on the road to open SEC play against an SP+ Top 30 opponent. Every remaining team on the Tigers' schedule except Arkansas currently ranks in the SP+ Top 30.
Missouri QB Austin Simmons goes 6-of-15 for 45 yards after his first five throws, though he does connect with Donovan Olugbode for a touchdown. RB Jamal Roberts bounces back with 5.7 yards per carry and a score.
Missouri's defense posts a 38.9% havoc rate against Troy and holds the Trojans to a 28% passing success rate. Troy stays close mainly on three explosive plays that total 145 yards.
Missouri beats Troy by 10 despite running 24 fewer plays and going 2-for-11 on third down. Two forced turnovers set up short scoring drives, and DaMarion Fowlkes adds a punt return touchdown.
Missouri edged up a spot to No. 19 in the AP poll following a 27-17 home win over Troy. The Tigers now head to Starkville for their SEC opener against No. 24 Mississippi State, turning the trip into a top-25 matchup.
Missouri's SEC home opener and Homecoming game against Florida will start at 2:30 p.m. CT on Oct. 3 in Columbia. The network assignment — ABC or ESPN — depends on how this Saturday's slate shakes out.
Mississippi State's quarterback has powered a 3-0 start under Jeff Lebby that includes road wins at Minnesota and South Carolina, making him the first major test for Missouri's defense in conference play.
Six of Missouri's nine SEC opponents are currently ranked, and On3's latest Heisman poll lists four quarterbacks on the Tigers' schedule among its top 10, starting with Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor this weekend.
Missouri kicks off its nine-game SEC schedule Saturday night in Starkville against Mississippi State, a week after a 27-17 victory over Troy that left fans with questions about the Tigers heading into league play.
Missouri opens SEC play at Mississippi State, whose veer-and-shoot offense leads the league at 544.7 yards per game behind QB Kamario Taylor and his 11-to-1 TD-to-INT ratio. Mizzou has allowed 36.4 points per game in five prior meetings with this scheme under Drinkwitz.
Missouri
38 - 21
Kansas Jayhawks
Florida @ Missouri
Texas A&M @ Missouri
Missouri @ Ole Miss
Missouri @ Arkansas
Texas @ Missouri
Missouri @ Georgia
Kentucky @ Missouri
