No. 25 Missouri routs Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Austin Simmons threw four first-half touchdown passes as the Tigers built a 40-0 halftime lead in his Missouri debut.
| 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.
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Follow the full play-by-play and box score →No. 25 Missouri opened its season with a 54-14 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Thursday night, powered by Austin Simmons’ four first-half touchdown passes and a defense that controlled the game from the start.
Simmons completed 17 of 19 passes for 252 yards in less than a half during his Missouri debut. The left-handed Ole Miss transfer became the sixth Tigers quarterback to throw four touchdown passes in one half, helping Missouri build a 40-0 halftime lead.
Donovan Olugbode caught eight passes for a career-high 116 yards, including touchdowns of 14 and 35 yards. The 35-yard score was the longest reception of his career. The official recap’s drive-by-drive scoring account credited Shaun Terry II with touchdown catches of 25 and 47 yards, although its opening summary also mentioned Cayden Lee as a touchdown recipient.
Coach Eli Drinkwitz said Missouri emphasized the passing game, particularly after struggling to run with the needed efficiency early. He credited Simmons with handling third-and-long situations, trusting the scheme and finding open receivers.
The defense forced four three-and-outs in the first half and held the Golden Lions to 6 total yards before halftime. Missouri’s 562-198 advantage in total offense included 376 first-half yards.
Jamal Roberts led the Tigers on the ground with 47 yards on 13 carries and scored from one yard. Blake Craig, returning from the season-ending knee injury he suffered in last year’s opener, made seven extra points and a 32-yard field goal.
Backup quarterback Matt Zollers and freshman running back Preston Hatfield added fourth-quarter rushing touchdowns. Arkansas-Pine Bluff scored in the second half on Za’Marion Webber’s 27-yard run and Jack Schiefholtz’s 16-yard touchdown pass to David Brewer IV.
The win was Missouri’s sixth consecutive season-opening victory and its 24th straight home win against a nonconference opponent. It also came before the program’s 21st consecutive home sellout in the first game featuring Memorial Stadium’s renovated North End Zone.
Why it matters
Missouri opened 1-0 while extending its nonconference home winning streak to 24 games. Simmons completed 17 of 19 passes in his first Tigers appearance, giving the offense an efficient start to the season.
What to watch next
The source identified Missouri’s Friday, Sept. 11 trip to Kansas as its next game, the 122nd Border War and the Tigers’ first visit to Lawrence since 2005.
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