Five Takeaways from Mizzou’s 28-21 win over Arkansas

Dec 1, 2024 | Uncategorized

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Missouri defensive end Eddie Kelly Jr. (97) celebrates sacking Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green (10) in the second quarter of a game against Arkansas on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at Faurot Field. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)

Missouri finished the regular season with a record of 9-3 after a 28-21 win over Arkansas. Let’s get to some takeaways.

The Missouri Tigers finished the regular season with a 28-21 win on Senior Day vs the Arkansas Razorbacks in Columbia on a late, snowy Saturday afternoon — clinching their third consecutive victory in the “Battle Line Rivalry.”

Mizzou is now 9-3 on the season heading into their bowl game, looking to keep back-to-back 10-win seasons alive for the first time since 2013-2014.

Here are five takeaways, not exactly on the game itself, but on the season overall and the current program as a whole.

1. Faurot Field has become a legitimately tough place to play

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 09 Oklahoma at Missouri

For the first time since the 2010 season, Mizzou finished undefeated at home with a 7-0 record. Since the start of last season, Missouri is 13-1 in Columbia with their only loss coming to LSU. It hasn’t been always easy, but the Tigers have found ways to win at home consistently. Winning on the road in College Football is extremely difficult, and this fanbase has made Faurot Field a tough place to play with a big-time atmosphere and environment all thanks to the sellout streak.

2. Curtis Luper is a heck of a running backs coach:


Missouri running backs coach Curtis Luper paces the sideline before a game against Texas A&M on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas.(CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)

Tyler Badie was the SEC’s leading rusher in 2020. Cody Schrader was the SEC leading rusher in 2023 and an All-American. While Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll didn’t quite reach that status, they still produced a successful season and have put up some big numbers.

Earlier this week, Nathan Hurst wrote how Mizzou’s running game continues to thrive.

Missouri’s running back position is in a good spot heading into next season. Jamal Roberts had some key moments, and Kewan Lacy has all the talent to have a bright future. Though if Mizzou wants to add a star running back via the transfer portal in the offseason, there’s a lot to sell here.

3. Thank you to QB1 Brady Cook and Luther Burden III:

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 30 Missouri at Vanderbilt

To all the seniors, as well, that have laid the foundation for this program. But especially Brady Cook. He grew up from St. Louis as a Mizzou Football fan and put his heart and soul into this team. His toughness and resilience can’t be denied. From Brad Smith to Chase Daniel, Drew Lock and James Franklin, Brady Cook should be remembered as one of the more successful quarterbacks in Mizzou history. He gave it his all.

And let’s be real, even though he’s not a senior, Luther Burden III played in his last home game at Mizzou. He has completely changed the complexion of this program with plenty of highlight reels and unforgettable moments to put this program back on the map. Thank you for everything, LB3. Best of luck in the NFL.

4. If a 9-3 season feels like a disappointment….:


Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz paces the sideline during the first half of a game against Oklahoma on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Faurot Field in Columbia. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)

Then that’s truly a good thing for this Mizzou Football program. Yes, they fell short of College Football Playoff expectations this season, but that’s the bar head coach Eli Drinkwitz has raised coming off the Cotton Bowl Championship last season. 9-3 is still a good year, especially in the SEC — and Mizzou is going to finish this season ranked in the Top 25. Despite the disappointment of missing the CFP, the Tigers still accomplished big things.

Drinkwitz has built this program to national relevancy in these last two seasons. Here’s hoping that 9-3 or 10-2 isn’t his ceiling and there are even better things to come.

5. It’s already time to focus on next season:


Missouri defensive end Zion Young (9) holds his “L’s” up during the third quarter of a game against Oklahoma on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Faurot Field in Columbia. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)

Don’t get me wrong, there’s still a bowl game to play for, and that’s certainly meaningful for a potential 10th win of the season. Whether that’s the Music City, Las Vegas, Gator or wherever – they still have an important job to finish. But the transfer portal opens on December 9th. Mizzou will be heavily involved as they’re losing a lot of key pieces. It’s going to be a new-look team next year. That can be a good thing, but it also can be a bad thing. Next year could be a step back, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s all about getting the transfer portal right.

Thank you to everybody who has followed our coverage during the regular season. Onto the bowl game. We will know Mizzou’s postseason fate next Sunday.

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