Unlike the game most people were expecting, Missouri had a hiccup in its happily-ever-after Homecoming, allowing the game to stay close throughout the first half against the Massachusetts Minutemen. It
wasn’t until the second half that Mizzou started pulling away, scoring 35 unanswered to ride out a victory and stay undefeated. It wasn’t pretty, but the Tigers got the job done.
Here are five takeaways from a game that was almost over before it started:
1. Mizzou’s run game can’t be stopped
Whether its Ahmad Hardy or Jamal Roberts or Tavorus Jones or Marquise Davis, Mizzou’s rushing attack is really good. It feels like one of the consistent things you can count on while watching the Tigers. The offensive line — even without Cayden Green — makes it work.
Mizzou’s first four touchdowns of the game were all rushing touchdowns. And if it wasn’t for Ahmad Hardy and the run game, who knows if Beau Pribula and Mizzou would’ve been able to drive down the field. It felt like every time there was a third and short, Ahmad Hardy got it done.
The Tigers ended with over 200 rush yards with Jones and Davis taking a bulk of the load in the fourth quarter.
2. Pass coverage is still not fixed
This Massachusetts game was supposed to be an opportunity for the Tigers to right some wrongs from earlier in the season. Something specific that’s been talked about a lot in the recent weeks: Pass coverage.
With Massachusetts coming into the contest with zero passing touchdowns on the season, this was looking like a perfect opportunity for Mizzou to get back on track. Within the first quarter, Massachusetts QB AJ Hairston found TE Max Dowling for the Minutemen’s first touchdown catch of the season.
Missouri’s run defense continued to dominate as usual, allowing just 12 yards through the first half and an extra five yards through the second, but the pass game has been something Mizzou’s needed to sharpen since the beginning of the season.
Mizzou allowed 105 passing yards against UMass, but allowed just 19 yards in the run game.
With a bye to work things out, you’d hope Mizzou takes a serious look at the secondary ahead of its matchup against Alabama, which runs out one of the most explosive receivers in the country.
3. Is Beau Pribula’s decision making in the pass game a concern?
Penn State transfer Beau Pribula threw his third interception in the past three games, following two interception-less games to start the season. On numerous counts, Pribula made some questionable pass attempts and it makes you wonder: Is this something Pribula might struggle with all season?
Pribula has plenty of top notch defenses he still has to take on this season but with this being his first season starting, I have no doubt that he’ll continue growing this season.
“There’s still some maturing and growing,” HC Eli Drinkwitz said after the game.
Either way, his feet and accuracy will help him maintain the level of an SEC-level quarterback, but I think that if he can work on his pass selection and patience with the ball, he could elevate to the next level.
4. Jalen Catalon bounced back
After catching a lot of heat for blown coverage against South Carolina, seventh-year collegiate athlete Jalen Catalon proved that he wasn’t going to let it get to his head, leading his team in tackles against UMass with five.
Catalon brings a bunch of energy to the defense, and it shows as he was voted a team captain in his first year with the team. He has a bunch of experience and the Tigers will need a poised Catalon if they want to continue strengthening their secondary throughout the season.
5. Does this translate to SEC play?
Not really, no. This is Missouri’s final non-conference contest of the season and the road only gets tougher. Will Mizzou be able to put up the same numbers when they are tested against top offenses and defenses in the country like Oklahoma and Texas A&M? Only time will tell, but no matter what, no team the Tigers play the rest of the season will be anywhere near the skill level of Massachusetts.
Mizzou’s biggest non-conference opponent this season was kansas. Their best win overall was over South Carolina. It gets much trickier from here, starting with Alabama in two weeks.
