Missouri Impresses in all Areas and Handles Murray State in Season Opener

An evenly-distributed performance across the board for Missouri led to domination on all fronts against the Racers.

Aug 29, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Nate Noel (8) celebrates with tight end Tyler Stephens (80) after scoring against the Murray State Racers at Faurot Field. / Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

COLUMBIA, Mo — In very non-surprising fashion, Missouri football walked away from Faurot Field with a 51-0 win on Thursday night, their first shutout since 2019 against Southeast Missouri State. A bunch of solid performances across the offense and defense contributed to the blowout victory. 

In the first six minutes of the game, the Tigers poured it on the Racers,in the run game, pass game and on defense. The first score came from none other than junior WR Luther Burden III, with a route to the right side of the field. He made a cut to elude his defender and high-stepped into the end zone to open the Tigers' scoring. He went for three receptions for 39 yards. 

The next offensive drive only consisted of four plays, three of which involved senior running back and Appalachian State transfer Nate Noel. He ran for 19 yards on that drive and (#) total, capping it off with a score. The very next play, Racers quarterback Jayden Johannsen tossed to towards the sideline and right into the hands of junior cornerback Toriano Pride who returned it for a score. 

The other running back in the Tigers duo, Georgia State transfer Marcus Carroll, who ran for 35 yards on 6 carries, also scoring a touchdown at the end of the first quarter. Redshirt freshman Jamal Roberts, sophomore Tavorus Jones and true freshman Kewan Lacy also all got touches later in the game. 

A plethora of receivers got in on the fun, with 11 total players catching a pass. Senior Mookie Cooper led the way with only one reception worth 49 yards. Sophomore Marquis Johnson was next up, with four receptions for 40 yards. 

LB Corey Flagg Jr. put on a tackling clinic throughout his time on the field, with one eye-opening play made by stopping Racers running back Kywon Morgan for two yards in the backfield. He had five total on the day, tying with senior linebacker Triston Newson for the most overall. 

Junior defensive tackle Chris McClellan forced the only other turnover for the Tigers, hitting Johannsen near the goal line, popping the ball out of his hands. Senior defensive end Joe Moore scooped it up to give the Tigers great field position. 

The scoring and pace of the game truly died down as time elapsed, only scoring 13 points in the second half. A wide variety of players were able to enter the game, including sophomore transfer quarterback Drew Pyne. 

Head coach Eli Drinkwitz and the Tigers return to action next Saturday at 6 p.m. at Faurot Field for a matchup with the Buffalo Bulls.

Live Updates

(Newest updates at the top)

Fourth Quarter

1:57- Craig drills his third field goal of the night from 27 yards, going 3-for-3 on the night. 51-0 Missouri.

2:23- Pyne finds Blood for a five yard gain, setting up a fourth down. Decision to go for it or kick the field goal is up in the air.

5:49- A 12 yard run from freshman running back Kewan Lacy advances the Tigers down the field. A previous 11-yard reception from receiver Daniel Blood aided with that as well.

8:29- An offensive lull has taken place in the middle of the quarter. Fans have also began trickling out of Faurot Field.

13:34- Blake Craig nails his second field goal of the game from 22-yards, capping off the drive from the end of the third quarter. 48-0 Missouri.

Third Quarter

0:00- A run from sophomore running back Tavorus Jones takes the Tigers to the three-yard line, as well as the end of the fourth quarter.

7:09- Former Missouri defensive back/linebacker JC Carlies, as well as cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and kicker Harrison Mevis all appeared on field.

7:12- First action of the game from backup running back Jamal Roberts, who walks into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown run, 45-0 Missouri.

7:58- DT Chris McClellan drops Johannsen for a sack and fumble, which was recovered by defensive end Joe Moore.

Injury- WR Theo Wease Jr is on the sideline without a helmet. He's questionable to return for the rest of the game.

Injury- TE Brett Norfleet was ruled out for the remainder of the game, according to the SEC Network.

8:53- Blake Craig drills a 39-yard field goal to increase the Tigers lead, 38-0 Missouri.

11:25- Mookie Cooper eludes two defenders and gets in to open space, moving the chains 49 yards to the Racers side of the field.

13:54- Murray State running back Jordan Washington is stopped by Kristian Williams to stop the first drive of the second half.

Second Quarter

0:00- A QB kneel from Johannsen ends the first half of play. Tigers go into the locker room with a monstrous 35-0 lead.

0:04- Cook keeps it on the option and jogs in for a three yard touchdown, 35-0 Missouri.

TE Brett Norfleet appeared to bang up his shoulder.

2:00- First two-minute warning of the Tigers season. A 4-yard run from Carroll has them looking at third and 3rd-and-2.

3:41- LB Corey Flagg Jr sniffs out Morgan to end the Racers drive.

7:41- After some adjustments under center from Cook, he misses Wease on a comeback route for the Tigers second empty drive in a row.

14:05- After an odd play call and alignment, a wild pitch from Cook to Burden resulted in a fumble in favor of the Racers. First turnover of the game.

First Quarter

0:00- Tigers lead 28-0 at the end of the quarter.

0:33- Sophomore WR Joshua Manning secures his first career reception from Cook on a slant from the left side of the field for 16 yards.

2:05- A sack from Khalil Jacobs ends the Racers drive.

3:40- After a methodical drive with big receptions from Mekhi Miller and Theo Wease and a Burden, as well as a 19-yard run from Marcus Carroll, Carroll jogs in for a touchdown, 28-0 Missouri.

9:47- Johannsen is picked off by CB Toriano Pride on their own 25, taking it to the end zone for another score, 21-0 Missouri.

9:52- Nate Noel goes nine yards untouched into the end zone for the second score of the game, Missouri 14-0.

11:00- A combination of safety Daylan Carnell and defensive tackle Chris McClellan stops Murray State QB Jayden Johannsen on fourth and one.

12:48- QB Brady Cook hits WR Luther Burden III on 16-yard touchdown for the first score of the game. Blake Craig drills the extra point, 7-0 Missouri.

15:00- Murray State attempts an onside kick but fails. Daniel Blood recovers.

Pregame

Sophomore TE Jordon Harris was fully suited up in warmups prior to kickoff. Sophomore CB Ja'Marion Wayne was in street clothes and appears to be out for the game. They were banged up earlier this week.

Former kicker Harrison Mevis was on the sideline prior to the start of the game.