Key Takeaways from Missouri’s Season-Opening Rout of Central Arkansas
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri launched its 2025 season in dominant fashion, crushing Central Arkansas 61-6 at Faurot Field in front of a sellout crowd. Fueled by the energy of the home fans, the Tigers overwhelmed their opponent from the opening kickoff. Penn State transfer Beau Pribula led the offense through the first half, building a 26-0 lead before an injury to Sam Horn altered the second-half quarterback rotation. While the scoreline was emphatic, the real value of the opener came from seeing how a reshaped and uncertain roster would perform in a live-game setting.
Beau Pribula made a strong first impression in his debut as Missouri’s quarterback. With Pribula and Horn neck-and-neck in a preseason QB competition, all eyes were on who would make the stronger case. Pribula quickly showcased his mobility, keeping the ball on a crucial third-down play to move the chains and later converting on fourth down with a run that helped extend an early drive. While his legs were never in question, his arm drew attention too — silencing doubters with a 49-yard touchdown pass, the longest of his career, and another 44-yard strike later in the game. By halftime, Pribula had completed 19 of 23 passes for 204 yards, tossing two touchdowns and running for another.
Sam Horn was slated to take over after the break, but his appearance was cut short after a hard hit in the first quarter left him sidelined with a leg injury. Seen on crutches and in a brace, Horn was unable to return, and Pribula made the most of the extended opportunity, finishing the game with 283 passing yards, two touchdowns through the air, and two more on the ground.
One area that raised concern was the offensive line, which featured a new-look unit after the departure of three starters from last season. Redshirt junior Curtis Peagler earned a surprise start at right guard, triggering a shuffle that moved Dominick Giudice to the opposite side and Cayden Green to left tackle. The group’s lack of cohesion showed, with several penalties stalling drives and occasional breakdowns in protection. Pribula absorbed a sack in the second quarter that set the team back seven yards, and multiple flags — including false starts and holding calls — disrupted the flow of the offense. While Missouri still found the end zone frequently, these issues will need to be cleaned up before tougher matchups, starting with next week’s game against Kansas.
Despite the final margin, Missouri’s offense didn’t explode out of the gate as many expected. The first quarter featured a mix of solid moments and slow stretches, with just one touchdown and a 49-yard field goal from Blake Craig giving the Tigers a 9-0 lead. Although Craig later added a 55-yard field goal and the Tigers scored twice more before halftime, the early-game sluggishness was reminiscent of the slow starts that hampered them during the 2024 season.
While the win was a statement on the scoreboard, Missouri’s overall performance revealed areas still in progress — especially along the offensive line and in establishing early momentum. That said, Pribula’s emergence as a dual-threat playmaker offers the Tigers a reason for optimism as they prepare for stiffer competition ahead.
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