Mizzou rides fast start to season-opening rout of Murray State
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
11th ranked Mizzou Football was locked in from the opening kick of Thursday night's season opener against Murray State. The Tigers began the 2024 campaign with a 51-0 win over the Racers in front of Faurot Field's sixth straight sold-out crowd.
You can watch extended highlights from Thursday's big win in the video player below.
You can watch the full postgame press conference with Eli Drinkwitz in the video player below.
Coach Drinkwitz's fifth year leading the program kicked off with a record-breaking start to Week 1. On the opening drive, quarterback Brady Cook and his offense needed just six plays to march down the field in just over two minutes. Wide receiver Luther Burden ended the drive with a 16-yard touchdown catch to make it a 7-0 game, scoring the first points of Mizzou's new season.
After forcing a turnover on downs, the Tigers quickly added to their lead. Appalachian State transfer Nate Noel scored his first touchdown in a Mizzou uniform, finding the end zone on an 8-yard toss from Cook. Less than six minutes into the game, MU already had a 14-0 lead. Noel led the team in rushing with 11 carries for 48 rushing yards and a touchdown.
You can watch the full postgame press conference with Noel in the video player below.
Then, just seven seconds later, another Mizzou newcomer put a third touchdown on the scoreboard. Clemson transfer Toriano Pride Jr. returned an interception 25 yards into the end zone for a pick six, making it a 21-0 game with 9:41 left in the first quarter. Thursday's game marked the fastest time that Mizzou has ever reached 21 points in program history.
Linebacker Corey Flagg and defensive tackle Chris McClellan each gave their reaction to Pride Jr.'s pick six after the game. You can watch their full postgame press conferences in the video players below.
Mizzou proceeded to post two more touchdowns in the first half. Marcus Carroll capped off a 28-point first quarter with the first touchdown of his Mizzou career, and Cook ended the second half with a 3-yard rushing score to make it a 35-0 game at the break. Carroll was one of three different Mizzou running backs to score a touchdown in Thursday night's game.
Cook was efficient to begin the year, finishing the season opener 19-for-30 with 240 total yards and two total touchdowns.
11 different Mizzou players caught at least one pass in the contest, led by Daniel Blood with a 5-catch, 42-yard performance. Burden kicked off his junior season with 49 total yards and a touchdown catch.
Mizzou's defense also posted a clean sheet, shutting out their first opponent of the season in Corey Batoon's debut as MU's defensive coordinator. Corey Flagg and Triston Newson led the Tigers with five total tackles each. Six different Mizzou players also recorded a tackle for loss, and McClellan and South Alabama transfer Khalil Jacobs posted their first sacks as members of Mizzou Football.
Up next - Mizzou welcomes Buffalo to Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Faurot Field.
