Mizzou to host improved Arkansas offense with coordinator Bobby Petrino, transfers
Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green (10) runs a play against Louisiana Tech during a game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark.
Michael Woods, Associated Press
Listen now and subscribe: |
COLUMBIA, Mo. 鈥 Missouri and Arkansas will end the 2024 regular season in the usual way: with a post-Thanksgiving game flipping sides of the Ozarks and Battle Line border between the states.
No. 24 Mizzou, ranked 21st in the latest College Football Playoff hierarchy, gets hosting duties this year.
And the Razorbacks unit that the Tigers (8-3, 4-3 Southeastern Conference) has a number of differences from what MU has seen in past finales.
Arkansas (6-5, 3-4) falls solidly in the down-but-dangerous tier of SEC teams. The Hogs are by no means CFP contenders, but they can beat a better-on-paper team on any given Saturday 鈥 just ask Tennessee, which fell in Fayetteville earlier in the season.
Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman鈥檚 seat has gone from scalding at the start of the season to the much more comfortable temperature of a heated car seat after a cold football game. Yes, Saturday鈥檚 2:30 p.m. kickoff is going to be one for which to bundle up.
Pittman has Arkansas bowl eligible for the fourth time in his five-year tenure, which is not to be scoffed at.
He鈥檚 鈥渄one an excellent job recruiting and reshaping that roster from last year,鈥 Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e very talented. Went into the transfer portal, got the right pieces, continually makes great hires.鈥
The big hire that made plenty of headlines when it came around was Pittman鈥檚 call to Bobby Petrino, who returned to Arkansas as offensive coordinator 11 years after he was fired by the school following a motorcycle accident and covered-up affair.
Petrino鈥檚 impact has been immediate. The Razorbacks finished the 2023 season second-to-last in the SEC in yards per game, with 326.5. Despite swapping out key players in skill positions 鈥 stand by for that breakdown 鈥 the Hogs have increased their offensive output to 457.6 yards per game, which is good for second in the conference.
The evolution has been almost exclusively one of personnel, which starts with Petrino.
Drinkwitz called his opponent鈥檚 offensive coordinator 鈥渙ne of the best play-callers in college football, one of the best offensive minds in college football. There鈥檚 really not a scenario or situation that鈥檚 going to be new or unique to him.鈥
Gone from last season鈥檚 48-14 Mizzou drubbing of Arkansas are quarterback KJ Jefferson and running back Raheim 鈥淩ocket鈥 Sanders. Both left via the transfer portal: Jefferson to Central Florida, Sanders to South Carolina, where he haunted the Tigers with a game-winning receiving touchdown earlier this month.
Replacing the signal-caller is Taylen Green, a transfer from Boise State. There are similarities between Green and Jefferson 鈥 both are big-bodied, dual-threat quarterbacks.
Green, after two seasons as a starter on Boise State鈥檚 blue turf, has thrown for 2,584 yards, 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions this year while completing 60.9% of his passes. He also has 468 rushing yards 鈥 second among the Razorbacks 鈥 and seven scores on the ground.
鈥淭he quarterback, obviously Coach Petrino is well-known for his quarterback prowess, and he鈥檚 done a tremendous job with their quarterback,鈥 Drinkwitz said.
But the Mizzou coach also pronounced Green鈥檚 first name as 鈥渢alon鈥 鈥 it鈥檚 pronounced like it looks: tay-len.
The Hogs鈥 transfer portal add at running back was Ja鈥橯uinden Jackson, who arrived from Utah after starting his collegiate career at Texas. He鈥檚 posted 703 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns so far this season.
Jackson starred for Dallas, Texas-area Duncanville in high school. He and former Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. were teammates there 鈥 Rakestraw wore No. 2 while Jackson wore No. 3.
At 6-2, 233 pounds, Jackson packs more of a physical punch than the traditional running back 鈥 he鈥檚 got about 6 inches and 50 pounds on MU鈥檚 Nate Noel, for example.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a big back, pretty good back,鈥 Tigers defensive end Johnny Walker Jr. said.
鈥淐oach Petrino鈥檚 always believed in having a big back,鈥 Drinkwitz said. 鈥淭hey really establish the run and then are explosive in the pass game.鈥
Those explosions tend to go to wide receiver Andrew Armstrong, who is one of 12 wideouts in the nation already past the 1,000-yard threshold. In his second season with Arkansas, Armstrong has 1,012 receiving yards but just one touchdown.
He鈥檚 a holdover from last year, when he joined the Razorbacks from Texas A&M-Commerce. Armstrong scored a touchdown late in the Hogs鈥 2023 loss to Mizzou.
Defensively, Arkansas defensive end Landon Jackson 鈥 鈥渙ne of the best defensive ends in our conference,鈥 Drinkwitz called him 鈥 is tied with Walker for 12th in the SEC with 6陆 sacks.
Safety Hudson Clark will play against the Tigers for the fifth time in his career. He has recorded at least one tackle for a loss in each of the previous four showdowns between Missouri and the Hogs.
Overall, the Razorbacks鈥 defense isn鈥檛 quite what their offense is, relative to the rest of the SEC 鈥 that unit is third-to-last with 366.5 yards allowed per game. But the Arkansas defense is where Drinkwitz sees the most carryover from what MU has faced in the past 鈥 something that ties in with what Barry Odom, Drinkwitz鈥檚 predecessor, did as the Hogs鈥 D-coordinator.
鈥淟ast year, they were going through some coordinator stuff and changes within their team,鈥 Drinkwitz said. 鈥淏ut I do think the defensive identity under Coach Pittman has been consistent: relentless pursuit to the football. They鈥檙e playing a little bit more three-safety the last three games, which is very similar to what they did with Coach (Barry) Odom. You can tell there鈥檚 a program style of complementary football.鈥
BenFred: What I'm thankful for in sports this year, starting with Brady Cook's example
Missouri quarterback Brady Cook runs against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Listen now and subscribe: |
After the turkeys have been carved and before the tryptophan naps begin, there will be football.
This Thanksgiving, like every Thanksgiving, families will bundle up and spill out into the yard for a quick catch.
Young players with imaginations stronger than still-growing throwing arms will transform into their favorite quarterbacks.
What鈥檚 cool to think about today is that one of those daydreaming kids used to be Brady Cook pretending to be Chase Daniel. And this Thanksgiving, some of those daydreaming kids will be pretending to be Brady Cook.
Count that among the things I鈥檓 thankful for from the local sports scene this year. I鈥檓 thankful for Cook, what he鈥檚 meant to the Missouri Tigers and how Mizzou fans will let him know that loud and clear during Saturday鈥檚 senior day celebration at Faurot Field.
All Cook ever wanted to do, he will tell you, is play quarterback for his Tigers. He鈥檚 going to go down as one of the toughest to ever do it, and the way in which he did it should be a textbook example for those who earn the same opportunity after he鈥檚 gone.
Played hurt. Stayed loyal. Shrugged off the critics. Stiff-armed the competition. Never, ever folded. Won a whole lot more than he lost; with a win against Arkansas, Mizzou would improve to 20-5 over the past two seasons entering its bowl game.
In an era of transfer-portal instant gratification, Cook should be applauded for his dedication and determination. He should be carried off the field Saturday, win or lose, though I don鈥檛 like Arkansas鈥 chances of beating Cook in his final Mizzou home game.
Here鈥檚 what else I鈥檓 thankful for this year:
I鈥檓 thankful for the 最新杏吧原创 Battlehawks鈥 playoff run. I鈥檓 serious. Yes, head coach Anthony Becht and his guys fell one win short of competing for the league championship on their home Dome turf.It left a sour taste in the beaks of the B-hawks and their fans. But with the Cardinals and Blues missing back-to-back postseasons and City SC sliding in season two, Becht鈥檚 birds provided some needed intrigue.
I鈥檓 thankful Cardinal Nation is spared from this round of Juan Soto speculation. Watching the madness from afar is more fun when no one thinks there is any chance he鈥檚 coming here.
I鈥檓 thankful the Musial Awards landed longtime sports broadcaster Bob Costas, Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez and former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr. to headline its big night. It was nice to be reminded a 最新杏吧原创 team can still land big stars.
I鈥檓 thankful national baseball writer Keith Law gave Cardinals manager Oli Marmol a third-place vote for National League manager of the year. Now I can no longer can be called Marmol鈥檚 biggest apologist! (I voted for Pat Murphy, Mike Shildt and Dave Roberts.)
I鈥檓 thankful for the budding managerial careers of former Cardinals teammates Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina. Wondering about their MLB futures in the dugout makes for fantastic column fodder.
I鈥檓 thankful for Kelly Chase鈥檚 tenacity in his fight against cancer. His mentality should inspire us all, not just the Blues players who honor great effort by handing over his shoulder pads.
I鈥檓 thankful for Masyn Wynn鈥檚 rise. A youth movement seems a lot more fun when he鈥檚 the face of it. Sometimes young guys surprise.
I鈥檓 thankful we can finally stop wondering if the right coach will unlock Jordan Kyrou. If Jim Montgomery can鈥檛 do it, it can鈥檛 be done.
I鈥檓 thankful SLU hoops big man Robbie Avila is back after that second ankle scare. Now the Josh Schertz debut season can really get rolling.
I鈥檓 thankful Saquon Barkley ran for 255 yards against the Los Angeles Rams the same night the team celebrated the 25th anniversary of the 最新杏吧原创 Rams wining Super Bowl XXXIV. Football gods must have been watching.
I鈥檓 thankful 最新杏吧原创 Rams great Torry Holt is once again a Hall of Fame semifinalist. His selection is overdue, but his case clearly is not fading. That鈥檚 good news.
I鈥檓 thankful Jack Flaherty got rescued by his Dodgers teammates in the World Series. If not, Flaherty probably would have found a way to blame Cardinals catcher 鈥 I mean first baseman 鈥 Willson Contreras for his Game 5 flop.
I鈥檓 thankful some smart, wealthy and respected 最新杏吧原创 ambassadors are interested in trying to bring the WNBA to town. It would work here. I wish them well.
I鈥檓 thankful for Chaim Bloom鈥檚 growing role with the Cardinals. He didn鈥檛 need a slow launch into the president of baseball operations role, but his impact on the team will go beyond his assignment this season to help stop the unraveling of player development. Fans seemed refreshed by his vision and voice. Hopefully he gets to talk a little more often.
I鈥檓 thankful for the urgency of Blues general manager Doug Armstrong and City SC sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel. Two team leaders felt like they needed a head coaching change sooner rather than later. Neither hesitated. Now we see if the new guys can do better. Points for urgency.
I鈥檓 thankful for Jordan Binnington鈥檚 Blues career. He doesn鈥檛 get nearly the credit he deserves in the hockey world for being one of the most solid goalies going. Why not? Partly because it鈥檚 been a while since he got a shot to remind the hockey world how he can take over games in the playoffs. Time to get him back there.
I鈥檓 thankful for the drive, no pun intended, of World Wide Technology Raceway owner Curtis Francois. He just keeps the pedal down, finding ways to bring bigger and better events to his venue. Maybe 最新杏吧原创 should put him in charge of figuring out what to do with the Rams relocation settlement money?
And as always, I鈥檓 thankful for our dedicated Post-Dispatch readers. Thanks for making this job fun. Happy Thanksgiving.
Kansas City Chiefs to leave conventional TV, Missouri basketball team finally to join it
The Missouri men鈥檚 basketball team has played seven games this season, winning six. Something those contests have in common: None were shown on a conventional television channel, as all have been exclusively streamed.
In the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs have played 11 games and have prevailed in all but one of them, and they have a bond opposite of MU鈥檚: Each of KC鈥檚 outings have been carried on a traditional TV outlet available in the 最新杏吧原创 market.
But both trends are about to change, a significant development to those who still don鈥檛 stream but a nonevent to many who go all-in on that option.
The Chiefs entertain the Las Vegas Raiders on Black Friday in a contest at 2 p.m. to be streamed nationally by Amazon Prime Video. While that feed also will be available over the air in the participating teams鈥 cities, it only will be streamed in the rest of the nation. In other words: no broadcast TV or cable/satellite coverage.
That鈥檚 how the Chiefs鈥 first-round playoff game last season was shown, when Peacock had the initial exclusively streamed NFL postseason contest. KC beat visiting Miami in that one, which was played on a frigid night. (The NFL has another opening-weekend postseason contest this season headed for the same kind of streaming setup, this time on Amazon Prime Video.)
Meanwhile, the Chiefs鈥 game Friday won鈥檛 be their only one this season to be exclusively streamed outside the local markets. Netflix has their Christmas Day contest, a home matchup at noon against Pittsburgh. (Netflix also has the other NFL game on that holiday, Baltimore-Houston at 3:30 p.m.)
At the other end of the spectrum, Mizzou鈥檚 men鈥檚 basketball team entertains California at 6 p.m. Tuesday, and cable鈥檚 SEC Network is set to show the matchup that鈥檚 part of the SEC/ACC Challenge (yeah, Cal is in the Atlantic Coast Conference now despite its campus nearly abutting the Pacific Ocean). Then the Tigers鈥 ensuing contest, a noon home game against Kansas on Dec. 8 (a Sunday), will be on ESPN2.
Three of MU鈥檚 next four matchups after that are against lower-tier nonconference foes and are set for the streaming-only route. The exception in that stretch is the annual Braggin鈥 Rights game in 最新杏吧原创, in which the Tigers play Illinois. That鈥檚 set for ESPN on Dec. 22, albeit with the far-from-ideal noon tipoff time on a Sunday 鈥 a day on which the NFL playoff races will be at a key juncture and some people might prefer to be at home and channel flipping.
Once Southeastern Conference play begins in early January, all but one of the Tigers鈥 league outings are scheduled to be available to the non-streaming crowd.
The Post-Dispatch's Eli Hoff and Ben Frederickson share what they'd like to see from the Tigers as they wrap up the 2024 season against Mississippi State and Arkansas.
Mizzou receiver Mookie Cooper鈥檚 season over after surgery; Luther Burden III to walk on senior day
Missouri wide receiver Mookie Cooper posted a message on Instagram after underdoing surgery.
COLUMBIA, Mo. 鈥 Missouri wide receiver Mookie Cooper鈥檚 college career is likely over after undergoing season-ending surgery.
The fifth-year wideout posted Tuesday morning on Instagram that he鈥檇 completed a successful surgery, and Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz confirmed the implications of Cooper鈥檚 procedure later in the day.
鈥淥bviously, Mookie鈥檚 a very special player to us and to myself,鈥 Drinkwitz said. 鈥淐ame here (as) a transfer and again, one of those guys who came and chose Mizzou when we needed him the most.鈥
Cooper, a starter when available this year, has missed Mizzou鈥檚 past four games with an undisclosed injury. He last played in MU鈥檚 homecoming victory against Auburn.
And his role in that game was memorable: Cooper took a pass 78 yards to set up Missouri鈥檚 first touchdown. That catch-and-run wound up being his final reception.
Cooper caught 12 passes for 235 yards this season. Though eligibility can be ambiguous in college football鈥檚 current moment, Cooper seems headed for the exits after five years on college rosters. If so, he鈥檒l conclude his college career with 92 receptions for 1,179 yards and a lone touchdown, scored against South Carolina in 2021.
Mizzou signed Cooper out of the transfer portal in 2021, after he鈥檇 spent his freshman season redshirting at Ohio State.
鈥淚 like that they are making STL a big priority in their recruitment, and I trusted Mizzou the most when it came to my decision,鈥 Cooper told the Post-Dispatch at the time about his decision to transfer to his home-state school.
鈥(Cooper) comes back home, and he鈥檚 been nothing short of unbelievable as a teammate, as a player,鈥 quarterback Brady Cook said.
Cooper hails from 最新杏吧原创 and played his high school football at Trinity Catholic. He caught a 23-yard touchdown in Trinity鈥檚 2018 Class 3 state championship game win over Cardinal Ritter.
Missouri has now lost five players to season-ending surgeries at various points in 2024: Cooper, edge rusher Darris Smith, outside linebacker Khalil Jacobs, defensive end Joe Moore III and center Connor Tollison.
Missouri wide receivers Mookie Cooper (5) and Luther Burden III (3) celebrate after a touchdown during the second half of a game against Vanderbilt on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV, Associated Press
Burden among 27 senior day participants
As the final home game of the season, Mizzou鈥檚 Saturday game against Arkansas will be the Tigers鈥 senior day. The program will honor players expected to be participating in their final games before the contest, and if MU wins, those players will follow tradition in picking a rock from Memorial Stadium鈥檚 rock M to commemorate their contributions.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a proud group, very resilient group, a strong group, tough, committed, determined group,鈥 Drinkwitz said of the seniors. 鈥淚 look forward to sending them out at a sold-out Faurot Field that they worked very hard to make our fans so proud that they鈥檙e here for the 12th ... straight sellout.鈥
There will be 27 players honored as part of senior day, Drinkwitz said.
Wide receiver Luther Burden III will be among them.
He鈥檚 a junior, wrapping up his third season of college football. But the star wideout is eligible to enter the NFL as soon as next year鈥檚 draft if he chooses, and he remains a projected first-round pick in 2025.
The operating assumption for Missouri and Burden has been that this year is his final in the college ranks and that he鈥檒l declare for the draft early.
鈥淚 have had conversations with Luther,鈥 Drinkwitz said. 鈥淲e are in those conversations. I鈥檓 never going to steal anybody鈥檚 thunder or spotlight.鈥
That would seemingly be a way of suggesting that some sort of announcement from Burden will follow the close of his 2024 season.
鈥淏ut I would just say that we鈥檙e very fortunate for Luther to have been here for three seasons,鈥 Drinkwitz continued. 鈥淗e will walk on Saturday. No decisions have been made, but that is an opportunity for him to make a decision without thinking that he didn鈥檛 get a chance to say goodbye to the fans.鈥
Some of the 27 players in Saturday鈥檚 ceremony may, like Burden, participate despite having another year of eligibility. Drinkwitz and MU tend to lean toward letting more players walk to ensure that each gets his moment in case final years of eligibility aren鈥檛 used.
With that in mind, the list of 27 participants will include, in alphabetical order:
Punter Luke Bauer, quarterback J.R. Blood, offensive lineman Marcus Bryant, Burden, running back Marcus Carroll, safety Joseph Charleston, cornerback Marcus Clarke, Cook, Cooper, linebacker Corey Flagg Jr., long snapper Trey Flint, center Drake Heismeyer, linebacker Chuck Hicks, offensive lineman Cam鈥橰on Johnson, safety Tre鈥橵ez Johnson, running back Chris Kreh, linebacker Jack Meyer, Moore, linebacker Triston Newson, running back Nate Noel, linebacker Will Norris, tight end Tyler Stephens, defensive end Johnny Walker Jr., offensive lineman Mitchell Walters, wide receiver Theo Wease Jr., defensive tackle Kristian Williams and safety Sidney Williams.
Videos: Brady Cook, Eli Drinkwitz, others on the emotions that come with Mizzou senior day
Mizzou quarterback Brady Cook, coach Eli Drinkwitz, defensive end Johnny Walker Jr. and linebacker Will Norris spoke about their legacies, the emotions of senior day and more on Tuesday ahead of the finale vs. Arkansas.
Mizzou football head coach Eli Drinkwitz speaks with the media on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, about the team's seniors ahead of the team's regular-season finale against Arkansas. (Video by Mizzou Network, used with permission of Mizzou Athletics)
Mizzou football quarterback Brady Cook speaks with the media on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, about Luther Burden III ahead of the team's regular-season finale against Arkansas. (Video by Mizzou Network, used with permission of Mizzou Athletics)
Mizzou football head coach Eli Drinkwitz speaks with the media on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, about Luther Burden III ahead of the team's regular-season finale against Arkansas. (Video by Mizzou Network, used with permission of Mizzou Athletics)
Mizzou football head coach Eli Drinkwitz speaks with the media on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, about senior day ahead of the team's regular-season finale against Arkansas. (Video by Mizzou Network, used with permission of Mizzou Athletics)
Mizzou football quarterback Brady Cook speaks with the media on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, about his last home game ahead of the team's regular-season finale against Arkansas. (Video by Mizzou Network, used with permission of Mizzou Athletics)
Mizzou football defensive end Johnny Walker Jr. speaks with the media on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, about his last home game ahead of the team's regular-season finale against Arkansas. (Video by Mizzou Network, used with permission of Mizzou Athletics)
Mizzou football quarterback Brady Cook speaks with the media on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, about his last home game ahead of the team's regular-season finale against Arkansas. (Video by Mizzou Network, used with permission of Mizzou Athletics)
Mizzou football quarterback Brady Cook speaks with the media on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, about Saturday's last career home game ahead of the team's regular-season finale against Arkansas. (Video by Mizzou Network, used with permission of Mizzou Athletics)
Mizzou football linebacker Will Norris speaks with the media on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, about his last home game ahead of the team's regular-season finale against Arkansas. (Video by Mizzou Network, used with permission of Mizzou Athletics)
Mizzou football head coach Eli Drinkwitz speaks with the media on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, about early December ahead of the team's regular-season finale against Arkansas. (Video by Mizzou Network, used with permission of Mizzou Athletics)
Mizzou football head coach Eli Drinkwitz speaks with the media on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, about senior day ahead of the team's regular-season finale against Arkansas. (Video by Mizzou Network, used with permission of Mizzou Athletics)
Mizzou football head coach Eli Drinkwitz speaks with the media on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, about Saturday's potential snow game ahead of the team's regular-season finale against Arkansas. (Video by Mizzou Network, used with permission of Mizzou Athletics)
Mizzou football quarterback Brady Cook speaks with the media on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, about Saturday's last career home game ahead of the team's regular-season finale against Arkansas. (Video by Mizzou Network, used with permission of Mizzou Athletics)
Mizzou football head coach Eli Drinkwitz speaks with the media on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, about senior day ahead of the team's regular-season finale against Arkansas. (Video by Mizzou Network, used with permission of Mizzou Athletics)
Mizzou football snapshots: Snap counts, PFF grades from Tigers' win at Mississippi State
You know the drill by this point in the season: Missouri plays a football game and afterward, we peruse the advanced stats and grades provided by Pro Football Focus afterward.
The Tigers handled Mississippi State on the road Saturday, but the grades are still a mixed bag.
In case this is your first time, or you want the reminder:These grades come from PFF, not this writer. They're at times misaligned with what happened on the field, and certainly not as important of a metric as the final score.
PFF bases all of its grades, including college ones, on NFL standard: 90-100 is elite, 85-89 is Pro Bowl caliber, 70-84 is starting level, 60-69 means backup and anything between 0-59 is replaceable. Want to assign different labels to those number ranges? Go for it. Nobody will know.
Offensive line
LT Marcus Bryant, 79 snaps, 79.0
LG Cayden Green, 79 snaps, 67.0
C Drake Heismeyer, 79 snaps, 52.2
RG Cam'Ron Johnson, 79 snaps, 74.3
RT Armand Membou, 79 snaps, 77.3
OL Mitchell Walters, 9 snaps, 64.5
You don't need proprietary grades to tell you that the Missouri offensive line had a good day. The Tiger's nearly 42 minutes of possession 鈥 a long time for the big men in the trenches to go at each other 鈥 yielded plenty of rushing yards and just two quarterback pressures. Only one of those was attributed to the offensive line, with Bryant tabbed as responsible. Johnson was the only offensive lineman called for a penalty.
Quarterback
Brady Cook, 79 snaps, 77.2
Cook did what he needed to do, completing 75% of passes, escaping the pocket as needed and finding receivers downfield. Though the deep passes clicked, his average depth of target was 8.1 yards, which isn't particularly deep at all.聽
And on those deep throws: Cook completed three of his four passes aimed 20 or more yards downfield. He threw almost exclusively over the middle of the field, completing 14 of 16 throws to targets between the numbers.聽
Mississippi State didn't blitz particularly often 鈥 only 34.8% of Cook's dropbacks 鈥 but he completed all of his passes against the blitz.
Running backs
Nate Noel, 37 snaps, 62.8
Marcus Carroll, 21 snaps, 63.0
Jamal Roberts, 20 snaps, 60.4
Kewan Lacy, 1 snap, 65.2
Lacy's role dropped off with only one half of action 鈥 an uncomfortable tackle took him out of the game with what a team spokesperson said was an upper-body injury. Noel continued to be the primary back while Carroll feasted on goal-line work with Roberts also finding consistent touches. The Tigers' committee has developed clear spots for all four.
As a team, Mizzou once again excelled at running the ball behind new center Drake Heismeyer, getting more than 5 yards per carry to the gaps on either side of him. The Tigers ran the ball to the left 22 times and the right 25 times in a fairly balanced scheme.聽
Wide receivers/tight ends
TE Jordon Harris, 57 snaps, 66.4
TE Brett Norfleet, 53 snaps, 64.1
WR Joshua Manning, 47 snaps, 64.3
WR Theo Wease Jr., 44 snaps, 72.4
WR Luther Burden III, 38 snaps, 90.5
WR Marquis Johnson, 33 snaps, 79.0
WR Mekhi Miller, 29 snaps, 54.9
WR Daniel Blood, 5 snaps, 56.5
TE Tyler Stephens, 1 snap, 60.0
There may not be a better indicator of how Mizzou's offense operated than the fact that its two tight ends both got a good deal more work than any of the Tigers' wide receivers.聽
Burden, despite running plenty of routes, still managed an efficient 5.69 yards per route run. His average depth of target was just 3.6 yards downfield, which he then boosted with 9.3 yards after the catch per reception.
Defensive line
DE Johnny Walker Jr., 40 snaps, 66.6
DE Zion Young, 35 snaps, 70.5
DT Kristian Williams, 33 snaps, 62.0
DT Chris McClellan, 27 snaps, 67.2
DT Sterling Webb, 27 snaps, 67.2
DE Eddie Kelly Jr., 17 snaps, 75.2
DE Jahkai Lang, 12 snaps, 60.3
DT Marquis Gracial, 8 snaps, 62.4
DT Jalen Marshall, 7 snaps, 63.1
Walker had a day, pressuring the Bulldogs' Michael Van Buren Jr. six times and sacking him once. McClellan was the only other defensive lineman to create multiple pressures.聽
Linebackers
Triston Newson, 45 snaps, 50.2
Corey Flagg Jr., 33 snaps, 49.5
Chuck Hicks, 22 snaps, 61.6
Nicholas Rodriguez, 2 snaps, 59.8
It seems to be concretely a three-man rotation at this position, which has been the trend lately. It also wasn't a banner outing for the linebacker group against State.
Newson missed a team-high four tackles while recording just one made tackle, which clearly impacted his grade. Flagg missed two and 鈥 along with Hicks 鈥 drew an unnecessary penalty after a play.
Defensive backs
STAR Daylan Carnell, 47 snaps, 49.8
CB Dreyden Norwood, 46 snaps, 57.8
S Joseph Charleston, 43 snaps, 64.1
CB Toriano Pride Jr., 41 snaps, 57.0
S Caleb Flagg, 27 snaps, 57.3
S Marvin Burks Jr., 23 snaps, 40.2
CB Nicholas Deloach Jr., 19 snaps, 44.3
S Tre'Vez Johnson, 11 snaps, 72.8
STAR Sidney Williams Sr., 7 snaps, 63.5
The personnel usage is noteworthy here 鈥 the Tigers made some performance-related tweaks. Flagg and Pride played more than Burks and Deloach, respectively, after the latter duo's struggles that are reflected in their grades.
Burks missed three tackles. Deloach, targeted six times in pass coverage, allowed three catches. Pride allowed four receptions on five targets.聽
And Carnell's grade didn't seem to benefit much from the fumble he recovered and took to the house 鈥 imagine what it would have been without a defensive touchdown?
Anthony Robinson II records first double-double as Mizzou men breeze past UAPB
Listen now and subscribe: |
COLUMBIA, Mo. 鈥 Anthony Robinson II posted his first career double-double, Mark Mitchell put his scoring chops on display and Missouri handily beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff in nonconference action.
The Tigers downed the Golden Lions 112-63 on Sunday, another comfortable early season result that moves Mizzou to 5-1.
A slow offensive start and couple of key 3-pointers kept UAPB level with MU just over 6陆 minutes into the game, which was tied 12-12. From that point to halftime, though, Missouri outscored the Golden Lions 40-13 to have them doubled up by the break.
A 15-0 run over roughly four minutes of first-half action 鈥 paired and succeeded by 13 consecutive missed shots by UAPB 鈥 sealed the deal for the Tigers.
With plenty of garbage time to go around, the visitors scored more in the second than in the first, but Mizzou wasn鈥檛 keen on letting up as it crossed the 100-point mark for the second time this season.
Combining Sunday鈥檚 victory with recent thumpings of Pacific and Mississippi Valley State, MU has now won three consecutive games by 35 or more points for the first time in program history.
Robinson, a second-year point guard, was part of the starting lineup again despite veteran ballhandler Tony Perkins returning from an absence to manage a nagging leg injury. Robinson did a little bit of everything and spent the latter stages of the game on the fringes of a triple-double watch after securing his first collegiate double-double with five minutes to play.
He finished with 11 points, 11 rebounds 鈥 a career high 鈥 and seven assists. One stat-stacking sequence in the first half saw Robinson block a UAPB 3-point attempt, grab the rebound, funnel the ball down the floor in transition and tip in an offensive rebound at the rim.
鈥淛ust going out there, playing hard on every play, not trying to focus on nothing, getting my teammates involved and having fun,鈥 Robinson said.
He鈥檚 the first Missouri player to record a double-double this season.
鈥淚 tried to get him back in (for the triple-double),鈥 Tigers coach Dennis Gates said, 鈥渂ut at that point, it was late in the game and he waved the white flag on it.鈥
Mitchell scored 20 points, his sixth time crossing the 20-point threshold in three seasons of college play. He was efficient, making 8 of 11 shots, and perhaps could have passed his career high of 23 points had the out-of-hand game required his services for longer.
The Duke transfer scored in a variety of capacities 鈥 there was rim-running on the fast break, a curling cut to the rim for a lob out of Mizzou鈥檚 half-court offense, plus drives and post-ups that started from a handful of different spots on the floor.
鈥淚 just came out and did what I鈥檓 supposed to do. I don鈥檛 think it was anything crazy, spectacular or out of the blue,鈥 Mitchell said. 鈥淚 just did what I鈥檓 supposed to do, what this team expects me to do. Some games, that may be 20 points, it might be six points, but just being aggressive, being in attack mode and finishing around the rim.鈥
Guard Caleb Grill鈥檚 jumper remained finely tuned as he continued a remarkable shooting streak with a 4-for-8 performance from 3-point range. He finished with 14 points, but the impact of his jumper clicking is a multi-game trend. After missing all seven of his 3-point attempts in the first two games of the season, Grill has shot 21 for 31 from beyond the arc in MU鈥檚 last four 鈥 a 67.7% clip on high volume.
He was the first player off the bench for Mizzou.
By the time the final buzzer sounded, 14 of the Tigers鈥 15 scholarship players 鈥 plus two walk-ons 鈥 had appeared in the game. The only member of the roster not to check in was freshman center Trent Burns, who has yet to play this season as he recovers from a preseason illness that requires a gradual ramp-up.
As the second half trundled along, Gates got experimental. At one point, he went with about the smallest lineup he could: Robinson, Perkins, Grill, guard Marques Warrick and wing Marcus Allen. A 6-foot-7 freshman, Allen was the tallest player of that small-ball group.
The Tigers scored six points 鈥 all in transition 鈥 while allowing none during that snippet of experimentation.
Mizzou鈥檚 lead crossed the 50-point threshold with about eight minutes left in the game, when forward Jacob Crews poked the ball free and forward to himself, leading to a powerful dunk.
With 3:50 to play, Missouri hit 100 points through a Trent Pierce layup.
Guard Chop Paljor scored 22 points for UAPB.
MU next hosts Lindenwood on Wednesday. The Lions are 2-4 to start the year, including one game against Southeastern Conference opposition already in the books: Lindenwood lost 93-60 at Oklahoma on Nov. 4.
That buy game is all that stands between the Tigers and their next bit of meaningful competition, which will arrive in the form of California for the SEC-Atlantic Coast Conference challenge on Dec. 3.
A score of scores: 20th TD from Brady Cook to Luther Burden III is milestone for Mizzou duo
Missouri quarterback Brady Cook, center, hugs wideout Luther Burden III after Burden caught a touchdown pass from him in a game against New Mexico State on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Columbia, Mo.
L.G. Patterson, Associated Press
Listen now and subscribe: |
STARKVILLE, Miss. 鈥 Brady Cook and Luther Burden III have combined for a score of scores.
A score, if you think back to Abraham Lincoln鈥檚 Gettysburg Address, refers to a bunch of 20. It also means a touchdown.
So: 20 times, Brady Cook has thrown a football and Luther Burden III has caught it for a Tigers TD.
Twenty is not an especially large volume when it comes to throwing or catching a football. Cook threw the ball 20 times just in Missouri鈥檚 39-20 victory at Mississippi State on Saturday, for example. Burden has caught nine scores worth of passes in his three-year college career.
Still, it鈥檚 notable that the duo reached the 20-touchdown milestone of connection. Only two other quarterback-receiver pairings have teamed for 20 or more touchdowns while wearing Mizzou鈥檚 black and gold.
Legendary quarterback Chase Daniel got there with tight end Chase Coffman (25) and wideout Jeremy Maclin (22). Cook-Burden is the only other duo in the 20-score club.
They got there on Saturday when Cook, rolling to his right and away from pressure, heaved the ball toward Burden, who had man coverage in the back of the Mississippi State end zone. Burden, a split second before the pass arrived, separated down and away from his defender to make the catch.
鈥淭hree (Burden) down there somewhere,鈥 Cook posted on X, formerly Twitter, after the game in apparent summation of the thought process behind his throw to the receiver who wears No. 3.
鈥淭he deep ball of Luther鈥檚 was just Luther and Brady having magic,鈥 MU coach Eli Drinkwitz added. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e in a pretty good rhythm right now together.鈥
They鈥檝e had more spectacular scores, such as the previous week鈥檚 fourth-and-5 one-hander against South Carolina. And the duo has had more impactful ones 鈥 such as on the first play of overtime against Vanderbilt earlier this season or last year鈥檚 Cotton Bowl.
But Saturday鈥檚 Cook-finds-Burden score should stand out. There might not be another one.
There could be another, of course, so that assertion might be a tad dramatic. The Tigers host Arkansas for Senior Day next weekend, their regular-season finale. Cook and Burden could play a little passing game of blackjack and land right at 21 after that game.
In the twilight of their college careers, though, that鈥檚 not a guarantee. Cook is out of eligibility after this season. Burden could keep playing, but the NFL is calling and likely first-round picks take that call. The operating assumption is 鈥 and has been 鈥 that he鈥檒l declare early for the draft and wind up with three total seasons played at Missouri.
That the days of Cook and Burden are fading away soon seemed to click for Drinkwitz after Saturday鈥檚 win.
鈥淲e tell our guys: This is the best days of their life,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 interesting, now, that for me, I鈥檝e only got one week with them 鈥 before the bowl game.鈥
Modern college football means it would be more surprising if a pro prospect such as Burden played in the Tigers鈥 eventual bowl game than if he sat it out to make sure he enters the draft cycle fully healthy. So yes, coach, it鈥檚 probably only one more week.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e pretty special young men for what they鈥檝e done for this university and what they鈥檝e done for me,鈥 Drinkwitz said, 鈥渂ut what they鈥檝e also done for the program and lifting the brand of University of Missouri football.鈥
The count of touchdowns is one way of denoting their combined contributions to MU. It also might be lower than it could have been.
Preseason hype around Burden 鈥 A fringe Heisman Trophy contender? One of the favorites to win the Biletnikoff as the nation鈥檚 best wideout? 鈥 hasn鈥檛 been realized. With 53 catches for 574 yards and five touchdowns, Burden isn鈥檛 even the Tigers鈥 leading receiver: That鈥檚 Theo Wease Jr.
It鈥檚 true, naturally, of Mizzou itself. No longer a College Football Playoff contender, the focus of these final games is on resolve and putting the finishing touches on the legacy of players such as Cook and Burden who have defined the recent turnaround of the Drinkwitz era. The season is not quite what it could have been, but it鈥檚 still something.
Missouri teams don鈥檛 often win eight games. The school鈥檚 quarterbacks and wide receivers don鈥檛 often combine for 20 touchdowns.
It becomes a way to praise Cook鈥檚 endurance, throwing touchdown passes 19 and 20 to Burden despite an injured right wrist. But it鈥檚 also a way to acknowledge the manner in which Burden chose to enter his home-state program as an immediate star but never wrestle for an undue share of its spotlight.
鈥淚 tell this to (NFL) scouts and GMs,鈥 Drinkwitz said. 鈥淭hat league鈥檚 got a lot of players who are always demanding, demanding, demanding. You鈥檙e going to be able to put Luther with a vet or a rookie, and he鈥檚 never going to inhibit their growth because he鈥檚 not going to be a jerk to him. He鈥檚 just going to consistently say, 鈥業鈥檒l do my job.鈥欌
The next week, the Senior Day ceremony and the regular season鈥檚 aftermath will deliver more appreciation of Cook and Burden. That got a little bit of a start in Starkville with a 28-yard touchdown and Drinkwitz鈥檚 praise of his Burden鈥檚 consistent demeanor.
鈥淚t hadn鈥檛 gone exactly the way we all dreamed it this season, right? Especially for him,鈥 Drinkwitz said. 鈥淏ut for him to be such a great teammate, to do his job consistently, to not complain: Never once heard from him, his parents 鈥 never heard a complaint. He just shows up and does his job every day at practice.
鈥淭he game knows,鈥 he continued. 鈥淭he game rewards you.鈥
Photos: Mizzou football tops Mississippi State for first SEC road win
Missouri defensive tackle Kristian Williams, left, forces Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. to fumble in the first half on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. Teammate Daylan Carnell returned the ball 68 yards for a TD.
Rogelio V. Solis, Associated Press
Missouri quarterback Brady Cook looks to pass the ball against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III gestures after scoring a touchdown against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. looks to throw a pass against Missouri during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Missouri running back Nate Noel (8) is tackled by a Mississippi State player after a short gain during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) right, blows kisses to fans after running back Marcus Carroll, left, scored a touchdown against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Missouri running back Marcus Carroll strikes a pose after he scored a touchdown against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Missouri running back Nate Noel runs upfield for a short gain against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Missouri quarterback Brady Cook runs against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Missouri safety Daylan Carnell, right, looks back at trailing Mississippi State players as he scores on a fumble return during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) attempts to evade a Mississippi State tackler during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) sprints past a Mississippi State defender with a first down pass reception during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Mississippi State linebacker Branden Jennings (44) attempts to block a Missouri pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Missouri quarterback Brady Cook (12) passes the ball under Mississippi State defensive pressure during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz reacts after a play against Mississippi State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Missouri running back Marcus Carroll carries the ball against Mississippi State on Saturday in Starkville, Miss. He scored three touchdowns in the game.
Rogelio V. Solis, Associated Press
Missouri running back Nate Noel (8) runs past Mississippi State defenders during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Mississippi State wide receiver Jordan Mosley (6) evades a tackle attempt by Missouri safety Caleb Flagg (36) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. Missouri won 39-20. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Mississippi State running back Davon Booth (21) evades tackle attempts by two Missouri defenders including cornerback Dreyden Norwood (12) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. Missouri won 39-20. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby leads his players off the field during a time-out in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. Missouri won 39-20. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Missouri running back Marcus Carroll (9) stretches into the end zone with a two-yard touchdown run past Mississippi State defenders during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. Missouri won 39-20. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Mississippi State running back Davon Booth (21) evades tackle attempts by Missouri defensive end Johnny Walker Jr. (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. Missouri won 39-20. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Mississippi State running back Davon Booth (21) evades a tackle attempt by Missouri defensive end Johnny Walker Jr. (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. Missouri won 39-20. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Mississippi State running back Davon Booth (21) evades a tackle attempt by Missouri safety Marvin Burks Jr. (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. Missouri won 39-20. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Missouri defensive tackle Kristian Williams (5) forces Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. (0) to fumble during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Missouri quarterback Brady Cook (12) hands off to running back Nate Noel (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. Missouri won 39-20. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. (0) passes against Missouri during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Missouri cheerleaders celebrate their team's play in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz watches a replay on the stadium monitor of a play against Mississippi State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. Missouri won 39-20. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. (0) looks for an open receiver to pass to against Missouri in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Missouri quarterback Brady Cook (12) stares down the field while Mississippi State has the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. Missouri won 39-20. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rogelio V. Solis
Missouri kicker Blake Craig (19) kicks an extra point following a first half touchdown against Mississippi State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
