Missouri defensive end Johnny Walker Jr. (15) celebrates tackling Alabama punt returner Ryan Williams (2) in the first half of a game against Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)

Few positives come from a game where you leave as 34-0 defeated, but Johnny Walker Jr. was one of them.

In a game filled with bumps and bruises, the No. 25 Missouri Tigers were unable to pull out a victory in Tuscaloosa over the No. 14 Alabama Crimson Tide. The score read 34-0 but there were plenty of positives on the defensive side of the football, as the Tigers held Alabama to six points of offense until Brady Cook left the game.

Speaking of which, Cook left the game which allowed for Drew Pyne to enter. Pyne turned over the ball three times, creating good field position for the Tide on three occasions which significantly hampered the defenses numbers. The defense still only picked up seven pressures, but considering the otherworldly nature of Jalen Milroe that seems to be a healthy number. It’s pretty difficult to pressure a quarterback that can shoot himself out of the pocket with his legs at will.

In the coverage game, not many had a good day as the Tide completed 16 of 26 passes for 215 yards. As a whole, the defense allowed over seven yards per play despite only allowing one third-down conversion the whole game. Offensively, the Tigers only had one player graded higher than a 70, which is the first time since Mizzou had zero players with an offensive grade above 70 in September of 2022 against Kansas State.

There’s plenty to talk about how bad the Tigers were analytically, but that’s not what these pieces are about. Let’s take a look at the MVPs:

Jamal Roberts | Halfback

With Nate Noel out, Jamal Roberts capitalized on his opportunity with Marcus Carroll being unable to generate the healthy runs against Alabama. Roberts’ performance of 17 carries for 71 yards was particularly impressive considering the threat, or lack thereof of a passing game with Drew Pyne in the game. Roberts’ 71 yards is his most of the season by 51 yards, and he held the title as most productive member of the offense.

Roberts picked up five of Missouri’s 15 first downs, but more impressively had almost 50% of his yards coming after contact. His percentiles may not look as good as other MVPs this season, but to be quite frank nobody on the offense’s percentiles were ever going to look good. Roberts did the best with what he was given, and did put up a performance that should turn heads.

There are no plays for Roberts on tape from last week that I can pull, but his game winning touchdown against Auburn on homecoming is a play that highlights how good he can be. The way he ran into contact but didn’t let it stop him from making a play, is something I saw from him against Alabama. For 5’11 and 197 pounds, Roberts is a tough cookie to tackle and he’s only going to fill his frame more and more in his time at Mizzou.

Roberts may not be the difference maker this season for the Tigers, but he has shown that he has a future as the RB1 for this squad in future offenses. He has the patience, strength, and speed through the gaps to handle a full-time role once he builds his frame even more. Getting the reps he’s getting as a freshman is incredible in itself.

Johnny Walker Jr. | Edge Rusher

The trend of edge rushers getting this award isn’t intentional, but Walker was well and truly the most effective member of the Tigers defense on Saturday. Aside from singlehandedly stopping two Alabama drives in the first half, Walker picked up three of the aforementioned seven pressures the Mizzou defense was able to muster.

Walker is the only player on the entire team from Saturday that was in the 80th percentile or above in VAT, which is the first time Mizzou has only had one player in the 80th percentile or above since November 2021 when Mizzou lost 43-6 to Georgia. Walker’s performance actually marks as his best analytically of the year, and it comes in good time as many were questioning his viability as his stats have dropped without Darius Robinson on the other side of the front.

This play could be put in an art exposé with how picture perfect it was. Walker makes a very tough Elijah Pritchett look like an FCS tackle with how he bursts off the edge, and the ferocity he shows when getting to Milroe is second-to-none. The first step on this play is great, but the angle Walker takes to the quarterback really sells this play. Milroe is at his best when he can see the rusher and evade him, but Walker’s speed here makes it virtually impossible for Milroe to avoid this rush.

Walker has been quiet this season, but with Brady Cook potentially out for an extended period it’s going to be on him and the defensive line to kick things into a higher gear. He had a crucial sack against Auburn, and now two stylish sacks against Alabama. Walker was touted as the leader of this front but Chris McClellan has been the leader on the stats sheet, but if Walker can keep this run of form, he’ll quickly reacquire that mantle too.

Legend

Running Backs

Breakaway: An RBs ability to break a run loose in space.

Elusiveness: An RBs ability to miss tackles in open space.

After Contact: An RBs ability to get yards after contact.

Security: An RBs fumble rate.

Protection: Yards Before Contact, this is used as a measure to see how good the protection a RB gets is, and is a hindrance in the RB VAT formula.

Drops: An RB’s drop rate.

Route Run: An RB’s yards per route run, often shows how good an RB is at route running.

TD/ATT: An RB’s ratio of touchdowns to rushing attempts.

YPA: An RB’s yards per attempt.

Edge Rushers

Pass Rush: Pass Rush Score, comprised of various pass rushing stats and factors

Run Defense: Run Defense Score, comprised of various run defense stats and factors

Stops: On a first down, if the offense gets 45% of the way to a first down or less.

On a second down, if the offense gets 60% of the way to a first down or less.

On a third or fourth down, if the offense doesn’t get a first down.

HHS: Hits, Hurries, and Sacks generated

Efficiency: Overall Defensive Efficiency