No. 9 Missouri Football Earns Second Consecutive Shutout Against Buffalo

A week after the Tigers held Murray State to a 51-0 shutout in their season opener, the defense did it again in week 2.

Sep 7, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12) readies for the snap against the Buffalo Bulls during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images / Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Instead of three touchdowns in the first quarter like game one, the Missouri Tigers got them in the second quarter against the Buffalo Bulls. Missouri’s defense thwarted the Bulls drives and earned their second shutout of the year. They went on to finish the game with a score of 38-0.

Missouri got on the board quickly with a field goal on the first drive, but their real offensive prowess came out later in the game.  

It took the Tigers until a couple minutes into the second quarter for their first touchdown of the game. Wide receiver Luther Burden III was the main player on this drive, he combined for 21 rushing yards and carried it the final distance to put the Tigers up 10-0. 

The second didn’t come too much later. A 39-yard pass from quarterback Brady Cook to wide receiver Theo Wease put the Tigers two yards from the end zone, but an illegal formation pushed them back. A couple of plays later, Cook just barely rushed the ball in. 

Cook’s next touchdown wasn’t a barely. He scrambled, avoided an ankle-grab and flipped over two Buffalo players to fall into the end zone after a 31-yard rush. 

QB1 with the HIGHSTEP & BARREL ROLL for six! 🤯@MizzouFootball x 📺 @SECNetwork + pic.twitter.com/R1Ab0gusHq

— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) September 8, 2024

Missouri had four different players rush for a touchdown in this game. Running backs Jamal Roberts and Nate Noel had their own, alongside Burden and Cook.

Burden went into the locker room for an unknown reason in the second quarter. It was later revealed by a spokesperson that he left due to illness. This came shortly after his touchdown. 

The first Missouri interception of the year came off of a pass attempt from Cook intended for wide receiver Mookie Cooper. There were two flags on the play, one for holding and a personal foul for unnecessary roughness. 

Freshman kicker Blake Craig earned his first and second missed kick of his career, a 49-yard field goal attempt on the Tigers second drive of the game and a 52-yard field goal attempt at the end of the second quarter. Craig’s attempt that was good on the first drive of the game was from a similar distance of 51 yards. 

Missouri will return to the field Saturday, Sept. 14 at 11:45 a.m. CDT to face Boston College. 

Live Updates

Fourth Quarter

0:31- RB Jamal Roberts rushed a three-yard touchdown. The extra point was good. 38-0 Missouri

12:36- The second and third sacks of the night for Missouri came from DE Jahkai Land and DT Chris McClellan.

Third Quarter

1:00- RB Nate Noel rushes in the fourth Missouri touchdown of the game. 31-0 Missouri

10:51- QB Brady Cook has his first interception of the season on a pass attempt intended for Mookie Cooper.

The SEC Network is reporting that Luther Burden III is unlikely to return to the game after entering the locker room in the second quarter due to an illness.

Second Quarter

0:04- Kicker Blake Craig missed his second field goal of the game, this one from 52 yards.

0:58- Buffalo kicker Nick Reed got the Bulls close to their first points of the game, but the field goal was no good.

1:51- QB Brady Cook did a front flip into the end zone after a gain of 31 yards. 24-0 Missouri

With less than five minute left in the second quarter, WR Luther Burden III entered the locker room with a towel over his head for an unknown reason.

6:12- QB After a 39-yard pass to WR Theo Wease brings them close to the end zone, Brady Cook rushes in the second touchdown of the game a couple of plays later. The extra point is good. 17-0 Missouri

12:13- Missouri gets their first touchdown of the game on a three-yard run from WR Luther Burden III. Blake Craig made the extra point. 10-0 Missouri

12:13- Missouri gets their first touchdown of the game on a three-yard run from WR Luther Burden III. Blake Craig made the extra point. 10-0 Missouri

First Quarter

Missouri ended the first quarter with a score of 3-0 after three drives.

6:52- Kicker Blake Craig has his first missed field kick of the year and his career, this one a 49-yard field goal attempt.

9:31- Safety Marvin Burks Jr. intercepts a pass from Buffalo's C.J. Ogbonna. There was a miscommunication on Buffalo's part, no one was near Burks at the time of the catch. Missouri has the ball at the midfield.

10:47- Kicker Blake Craig makes a 51-yard field goal for the Tigers first score. 3-0 Missouri

Senior Mitchell Walters started at right guard instead of the announced Cam'ron Johnson due to an unknown injury.

Pregame

Injury updates can be found here.

More from Missouri vs. Buffalo:

Snap Counts from Missouri's 51-0 Week 1 Win

Younger Missouri Players Gain Experience During Murray State Blowout

Three Notable Performers from Missouri Football's big win Over Murray State