No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (2024)

Alert Topical

  • Eli Hoff
  • 0

  • Ethan Erickson

Mizzou football coach Eli Drinkwitz speaks with the media on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, after a win over Murray State. (Video by Mizzou Network, used with permission of Mizzou Athletics)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (1)

COLUMBIA, Mo. — As halftime of Missouri's season-opening win over Murray State on Thursday drew to a close, a number of students in attendance began their gameday pilgrimage from the Memorial Stadium gates to downtown bars.

By that stage, the No. 11 Tigers were ahead by 35 points and well on their way to a 51-0 blowout of the Football Championship Subdivision Racers. Tucked inside the opposite end of the stadium, Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz was talking to a motivated locker room aboutthebar — not for drinking but for clearing.

"The standard is the standard, and we got to uphold the standard," was his halftime message, according to linebacker Corey Flagg Jr. And that was the consistent theme of MU's win.

First-quarter dominance allowed the deployment of second-half depth as starters yielded playing time to their counterparts who are just starting their careers.

People are also reading…

As expected in that kind of lopsided game, nearly every eligible player touched the field at some point. There were 28 defensive players who recorded a stat in some capacity, be it a tackle, quarterback pressure or play on the ball. On offense, 11 different players caught a pass while eight ran the ball.

On one drive near the end of the game, Missouri trotted a defense onto the field that featured 10 freshmen, by Drinkwitz's estimation.

"Got a lot of different people in the game," he said. "Man, that is going to be one heck of a defense in the future. Really proud of those guys and thought they came in and played to a standard."

Getting to that stage of player usage was the byproduct of a record-setting quick start to the game from Mizzou's offense. The Tigers scored 21 points in their quickest-ever fashion.

Preseason All-American wideout Luther Burden III opened the scoring by shaking a defender in the flat to high-step into the end zone from 16 yards away.

Running back Nate Noel, making his debut in black and gold, provided the next punch by taking control of a drive ahead of a 9-yard score.

Voltage sizzled to its maximum on the first play of Murray State's resulting drive, when cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. — also debuting — stepped in front of a pass to the sideline and secured the requisite separation to score.

"Oh, man. TP set the tone with that," Flagg said. "We knew somebody was gonna get a takeaway, but a pick six? I mean, that's classic."

The 10 seconds between Noel and Pride's touchdowns tied for the fourth-shortest duration between MU scores since 1968, according to statistician Tom Orf's records. The only times consecutive touchdowns have happened more quickly were a two-second span in a 1979 game against San Diego State, seven seconds in a 1969 game against Oklahoma and eight seconds in a 1979 game against Nebraska.

Mizzou's quick start offset any pregame concerns that difficult preparation for Murray State, which had a new coaching staff and more than 60 new players. The Tigers made quick work of figuring out the Racers.

"It took us four plays," Drinkwitz said.

He credited a sellout crowd for boosting Missouri's energy early on.

The sellout was both Mizzou's sixth in a row and the sixth-largest attendance for a home opener.

"Just want to say how remarkable the crowd was today," Drinkwitz said. "I mean, unbelievable from the start of the game, the students being out there and being loud and then everybody being in their seats when we kicked off. It reminded me of what it was last year, so it was an awesome job by the crowd. You could just tell our players, with that fast start, fed off the energy of the crowd."

Noel, who joined MU from Appalachian State, was among those who noticed the uptick in enthusiasm emanating from the stands.

"It was different," he said. "I’ve played in big crowds, but today was different. … It was lit."

Aside from a lopsided score, a couple of injuries influenced the addition of depth players to the game. Tight end Brett Norfleet left the game in the second quarter after taking a tackle straight-on in space, stopping briefly in the sideline medical tent before heading back to the locker room. Wideout Theo Wease Jr. also returned to the locker room before halftime, though what sent him there was unclear.

Norfleet didn't appear to be on the sideline during the second half, while Wease remained on the sideline without a helmet.

"We were just gonna be smart with them in the second half, so I think they'll be fine," Drinkwitz said. "Wasn't alarmed by anything afterwards."

Among the young players to see the field in the second half were five-star freshman Williams Nwaneri, running back Kewan Lacy and wideouts Courtney Crutchfield and James Madison II. Second-year wide receivers Joshua Manning and Daniel Blood both saw expanded roles from their freshman seasons, as did second-year running back Jamal Roberts.

Attempting collegiate kicks for the first time in a game, kicker Blake Craig — a second-year player himself — was a perfect 3 for 3 on field goals and made all six of his extra points.

Blowing out and shutting out a team like Murray State won't singlehandedly improve Missouri's chances at making the College Football Playoff in a few months' time, but it does convey some confidence in the firepower that the Tigers have.

"Our team wanted to come out and show everybody that this is a new team and this is a new thing," Drinkwitz said. "We’re gonna have our own identity. Really proud of those guys for setting the standard. But like I told them in the locker room, this is just the start. … Each game, it’s going to get a little bit more challenging, so we got to meet those challenges head-on with improvement."

Mizzou Sports News

No. 11 Mizzou to open ‘unique’ 2024 season with playoff aspirations

  • Eli Hoff

Mizzou Sports News

How Eli Drinkwitz built Mizzou football’s ‘wilderness brotherhood’ with his words

  • Eli Hoff

Photos: Missouri Tigers roar in season opener, crushing Murray State 51-0

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (4)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (5)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (6)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (7)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (8)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (9)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (10)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (11)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (12)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (13)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (14)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (15)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (16)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (17)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (18)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (19)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (20)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (21)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (22)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (23)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (24)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (25)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (26)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (27)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (28)

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (29)

0 Comments

'); var s = document.createElement('script'); s.setAttribute('src', 'https://assets.revcontent.com/master/delivery.js'); document.body.appendChild(s); window.removeEventListener('scroll', throttledRevContent); __tnt.log('Load Rev Content'); } } }, 100); window.addEventListener('scroll', throttledRevContent); }

Be the first to know

Get local news delivered to your inbox!

No. 11 Mizzou shows dominance, depth in 51-0 win over Murray State (2024)

References

Top Articles
PIRANHA 3 / LAV 3 Armoured Wheeled Vehicles - Army Technology
Jug Of Vinegar Osrs
Otc School Calendar
Extranet Landing Page Delta
Comenity Pay Ns Web Payment
Honda Odyssey Questions - P0303 3 cyclinder misfire
Jeff Liebler Wife
Black Adam Movies123
Calvert Er Wait Time
Uscis Fort Myers 3850 Colonial Blvd
Dr Paul Memorial Medical Center
Relic Gate Nms
How do you evaluate cash flow?
Peanut Oil Can Be Part Of A Healthy Diet — But Only If It's Used This Way
What Happened To Guy Yovan's Voice
Apple Nails & Spa, 3429 Toringdon Way, Charlotte, Reviews and Appointments
Pokemon Fire Red Download Pc
8 Garden Sprayers That Work Hard So You Don't Have To
Ella And David Steve Strange
Pear Shaped Rocsi
Browse | Obituaries | Enid News and Eagle
ZQuiet Review | My Wife and I Both Tried ZQuiet for Snoring
How To Find Free Stuff On Craigslist San Diego | Tips, Popular Items, Safety Precautions | RoamBliss
O'reilly's In Mathis Texas
Unmhealth My Mysecurebill
Ayala Rv Storage
How To Pause Tamagotchi Gen 2
Littleton U Pull Inventory
How 'Tuesday' Brings Death to Life With Heart, Humor, and a Giant Bird
Why Zero Raised to the Zero Power is defined to be One « Mathematical Science & Technologies
La Times Jumble Answer Today
Susan Dey Today: A Look At The Iconic Actress And Her Legacy
Sems Broward County
South Carolina Title Transfer Does Sc Require Notary Seal For Auto Title Transfer
Camwhor*s Bypass 2022
Heiwa Coin
Fototour verlassener Fliegerhorst Schönwald [Lost Place Brandenburg]
Www.publicsurplus.com Motor Pool
Craigslist Free Appliances Near Me
Usm.instructure
Ichc's Wheat Ridge Family Health Clinic
Fact checking debate claims from Trump and Harris' 2024 presidential faceoff
Leuke tips & bezienswaardigheden voor een dagje Wijk bij Duurstede
Quazii Plater Nameplates Profile - Quazii UI
Yuba Sutter Craigslist Free Stuff
Wash World Of Lexington Coin Laundry
Craigslist In Killeen Tx
Craigslist Ft Meyers
Marquette Gas Prices
Magnifeye Alcon
What Does Wmt Contactless Mean
Buzzn Dispensary
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Pres. Lawanda Wiegand

Last Updated:

Views: 5821

Rating: 4 / 5 (51 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Lawanda Wiegand

Birthday: 1993-01-10

Address: Suite 391 6963 Ullrich Shore, Bellefort, WI 01350-7893

Phone: +6806610432415

Job: Dynamic Manufacturing Assistant

Hobby: amateur radio, Taekwondo, Wood carving, Parkour, Skateboarding, Running, Rafting

Introduction: My name is Pres. Lawanda Wiegand, I am a inquisitive, helpful, glamorous, cheerful, open, clever, innocent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.