Missouri runs past Arkansas to retain Battle Line trophy
Kevin Coleman Jr.’s 67-yard punt-return touchdown capped a second-half shutout in Missouri’s 31-17 victory.
| Kickoff | 3:30 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Venue | Razorback Stadium |
| Spread | Missouri -4.5 |
| Total | 54.5 |
| TV | Not announced yet |
|---|
The TV network for Missouri at Arkansas is set by the conference's TV partners closer to game week. Each school's radio network carries the game.
We post the running score and every scoring play right here as the game unfolds, no refresh needed. For the full drive-by-drive play-by-play, box score and player stats, open the game page.
Follow the full play-by-play and box score →Missouri turned a tight game with Arkansas into a 31-17 victory behind Kevin Coleman Jr.’s fourth-quarter punt-return touchdown and a defense that did not allow a second-half point. The Tigers finished the regular season 8-4 overall and 4-4 in the SEC, while Arkansas ended 2-10 and 0-8.
Missouri trailed 17-14 at halftime after Arkansas linebacker Bradley Shaw returned a Beau Pribula fumble 32 yards for a touchdown. Ahmad Hardy changed the game on Missouri’s first second-half possession, breaking through three tackles for a 53-yard touchdown run and a 20-17 lead.
The Tigers’ defense then held Arkansas to 73 total yards after halftime. Each of the three forced three-and-outs preceded a Missouri scoring play. Damon Wilson II’s 12-yard sack forced a punt. Coleman fielded it at the Missouri 33-yard line and returned it 67 yards for a touchdown. Jamal Roberts added the two-point conversion for a 31-17 lead with 8:07 remaining.
Hardy carried 27 times for 157 yards and finished the regular season with 1,560 rushing yards, fourth most in Missouri history. Roberts added 100 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, marking the third game of the season in which both backs reached 100 rushing yards.
Missouri gained 322 of its 347 total yards on the ground. Pribula completed 4 of 7 passes for 25 yards, the program’s fewest passing yards in a victory since Missouri threw for 20 in a 42-13 win at Florida in 2014.
Arkansas finished with 246 total yards and committed 16 penalties for 121 yards. Chris McClellan and Josiah Trotter each sacked Taylen Green on Arkansas’ final possession, and Missouri closed the game with 10 consecutive runs before Pribula’s kneel-down.
The victory was Missouri’s fourth straight in the Battle Line Rivalry and moved the Tigers to 5-1 against Arkansas under coach Drinkwitz. Missouri leads the all-time series 12-4 and finished 3-0 in rivalry trophy games during the season.
Why it matters
Missouri completed the regular season at 8-4 overall and 4-4 in SEC play. The Tigers also extended their Battle Line winning streak to four games and improved to 12-4 in the series.
What to watch next
The source identified Sunday, Dec. 7, as the date Missouri would learn its bowl destination and opponent. It did not report the selection.
Comments
Loading…