Mizzou Steamrolls Past Arkansas in Regular Season Finale
Missouri's performance against Arkansas on Friday was as close to a textbook definition of domination that you will find. The Tigers scored a season high for points in a 48-14 win over the Razorbacks to finish the 2023 regular season with a 10-2 record.
When the Razorbacks seemed to have hit rock bottom, things somehow continued to get worse.
Frustrations for the Razorbacks reached a tipping point with six minutes remaining in the second quarter when Missouri was driving into Arkansas territory, threatening to add to a 10-0 lead. The Tigers had virtually already put away the Razorbacks.
Cody Schrader had already amassed over 100 rushing yards. The Arkansas offense had already punted five times and was yet to cross the 50 yard line. And now Arkansas had just gave up 15-yards on a roughing the passer penalty due to a late hit on Brady Cook, causing Missouri to defend their leader with physical contact.
After the next play, a skirmish quickly turned into a violent, punch-inducing brawl that led to Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou as well as Arkansas defensive linemen Eric Gregory and Zach Williams being ejected from the game.
On the next play, Brady Cook easily jogged into the end zone to give Missouri a 17-0 lead.
"We were here to play football," Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz said. "They were here to fight."
The miserable offensive performance for Arkansas' included five turnovers and just 87 offensive yards in the first three quarters. Quarterback KJ Jefferson exited the game on the Razorbacks' second drive with 8:59 remaining in the first quarter. Jefferson injured his left leg on a scramble attempt where he fumbled the ball into the hands of the Missouri defense; a nearly perfect encapsulation of how Arkansas' Friday afternoon went.
Arkansas' two scores of the night both came in the fourth quarter — a six-yard carry from running back Isaiah Augustave and a eight-yard reception from Andrew Armstrong.
The Razorbacks did not cross the 50 yard line until the final two minutes of the third quarter. On 13 drives for Arkansas, the Razorbacks averaged only five plays and 2:12 in time of possession per drive.
"What a performance tonight by our defense, limiting to really just a lot of trash yards in the fourth quarter," Drinkwitz said.
For Missouri, things seemed to come easy. Running back Cody Schrader led the way for the Tigers offense, putting together his fifth straight 100-yard performance with 217 rushing yards on 27 carries. Schrader's 1,489 rushing yards in 2023 are the third most for any Missouri player in a single season.
"He's the best back in the country," Drinkwitz said to CBS Sports. "Let's quit making it about a feel-good story. He's a hell of a player. That's what it's about. He deserves to be talked about for the Heisman Trophy"
For quarterback Brady Cook, his 112 yard, 2 touchdown stat line don't exactly jump off the page, but the junior made plenty of highlight worthy throws.
Cook finished the 2023 regular season with 3,189 passing yards, the eighth most for any Missouri quarterback.
Both of Cook's two touchdowns were delivered to true freshmen tight end Brett Norfleet. The St. Louis native put together an impressive debut season at Missouri, averaging 11.5 yards on 17 receptions.
Missouri's offense was able to put the final touch to victory with a one-yard rushing touchdown from running back Nathaniel Peat in the final three minutes.
Missouri has now won seven of the last nine matchups with Arkansas in the Battle Line rivalry. The 10-2 record is Missouri's best since 2014.
The Tigers have now likely secured a spot in one of the coveted New Year's Six Bowl games. The bowl game matchups will be announced next Sunday, December 3rd. Though Friday's victory is an impressive finish for the Tigers' 2023 regular season, the team is not ready to slow down.
"We not gonna stop," linebacker Chuck Hicks said. "We're going to keep coming. This is just the start."
