Missouri Football: 3 Takeaways From The Tigers Victory Over Louisiana Tech

Despite a slow, sluggish start in the first quarter to open the season, it was all smiles for Missouri football in the end as Brady Cook, Luther Burden, and the Tigers defense pounced on Louisiana Tech under new head coach Sonny Cumbie 52-24. Here are three takeaways:

Steady play at Quarterback:

Brady Cook is who he showed that he was in last year’s Armed Forces Bowl game versus Army. His ability to use his legs to not only extend plays but to extend drives is something that has been sorely lacking from the Missouri football offense under head coach Eli Drinkwitz. He also ran 7 times for 61 yards including a 20-yard touchdown scamper down the left sideline. Connor Bazelak, the starter in 2020 and 2021, simply did not have the ability to force defenses to play honestly and respect his ability to extend plays with his legs.

Cook’s passing line of 18-27 195 1 TD 1 INT yards isn’t going to WOW many people. There were a few underthrown passes and an interception of a pass intended for Luther Burden in the red zone that required a little more touch on the ball. Overall, Brady Cook had a solid, productive game.

Backup quarterback and 7th-year senior Jack Abraham looked sharp in his share of snaps in the fourth quarter, going 2-3 for 34 yards, leading the offense on a touchdown drive to extend the Missouri football lead.

Versatile but punishing running game:

Entering the season, it has been common thought that replacing Tyler Badie’s production was going to be a huge task that no one player was going to be likely to replicate. The transfer duo was up to the task last night. Former Rock Bridge standout and Stanford transfer Nathaniel Peat led the way with 72 yards on the ground and a touchdown. Truman State transfer Cody Schrader chipped in with another 70 yards and a touchdown.

On multiple occasions, 5-star prospect Luther Burden lined up to take snaps in the wildcat formation. He found the endzone yet again in the third quarter and finished with 26 yards rushing. Also, see Brady Cook. As a team, the Tigers would finish the game with 323 yards on the ground.

Missouri football defense showed up and showed out:

A defense that features several new faces along the defensive front set a tone early on. The front four generated a consistent, clean pass rush throughout the game. This unit yielded a total of 11 yards rushing. No, it is not a typo. 11 yards rushing, a far cry from the 227 yards given up on the ground per game under last year’s defense coordinator Steve Wilks.

Former Florida Gator Ty’Ron Hopper led the way for the Missouri linebackers. Showing off his ability to cover a lot of ground, Hopper had 6 tackles (2TFL), 1 sack, and an interception, the third thrown by Matthew Downing in the first half. Despite intercepting Downing three times, 1 returned for a touchdown by Joseph Charleston, there were a few hiccups, which is to be expected with so many new players and a new defensive coordinator. There were a pair of glaring miscues in the secondary, both leading to long touchdown passes for Louisiana Tech.

The Tigers’ next game against former Big 12 North divisional foe Kansas State looks to be a more difficult challenge. The two teams last played in 2011, Missouri’s last season as a member of the Big 12.