Missouri’s Offense Was Firing On All Cylinders, 3 Key Takeaways From Missouri’s Dominant Week

In their Week 1 matchup, the Missouri Tigers showcased a commanding performance, achieving a 51-0 shutout against the Murray State Racers on Thursday night. From the outset, Missouri’s star players established dominance, effectively sealing the game early on.

The Tigers’ offense was in top form, although they faced a Racers team that struggled last season with a 2-9 record. As Head Coach Drinkwitz noted, “It took us four plays (to figure out Murray State).”

Here are three key takeaways from Missouri’s Week 1 performance:

1. Strong Running Back Duo
   After losing Cody Schrader to the NFL, there were questions about the running back position for Missouri. Thankfully, they’ve found solid replacements, with Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll both making an impact. Noel had 11 carries for 48 yards and a touchdown, plus four receptions for 20 yards. Carroll averaged 5.8 yards per carry, collecting 54 yards on eight carries and also scoring. The backfield looks promising with these two players fitting well into Mizzou’s culture.
2. Deep Wide Receiver Corps
   Heading into the season, the wide receiver group garnered a lot of attention, and they didn’t disappoint. Eleven different receivers caught passes, totaling over 300 yards. Luther Burden scored on the first drive, and Mookie Cooper had a standout 49-yard run after breaking a tackle. Despite injuries to Theo Wease and Brett Norfleet, Coach Drinkwitz confirmed their absence was precautionary. Players like Marquis Johnson, Mekhi Miller, and Joshua Manning also made contributions in the first half, highlighting the depth and future potential of the receiving corps.
3. Brady Cook’s Performance
   While Brady Cook managed the game well and shone in the first half—leading to a 35-0 halftime advantage—his accuracy on deep passes needs addressing. He completed 19 of 30 throws for 218 yards and added a touchdown on the ground. Though Cook made smart decisions overall, he missed a few deep-ball opportunities. His short-pass accuracy was impressive at 13 of 15, but he struggled with longer throws, completing only 11 of 20. While this observation may seem minor, it’s worth noting as the season progresses.

Overall, it was a solid team victory for Missouri, with contributions from nearly every position. The Tigers not only shut out their opponent but also moved the ball effortlessly. With this strong start, the No. 11 Missouri Tigers are on track to break into the top 10 following Florida State’s loss.