Preview: Mizzou opens up season against Louisiana Tech
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
For the first time since 2015, the Mizzou football team will host a Thursday night game at Faurot Field, as Louisiana Tech will make the trip to Columbia.
The last time the Tigers played on a Thursday night, it was an SEC game against Mississippi State. The match up will also be MU's first night game since the team hosted Alabama in 2020.
Head coach Eli Drinkwitz is entering his third season at the helm of the program and said that this the most excited he's ever been about a team.
"Everybody chose to be here," Drinkwitz said.
Five-star wide out and East St. Louis native Luther Burden famously chose Mizzou back in October of 2021. His teammates said he was impressive to watch during fall camp. Defensive back Ennis Rakestraw said that he was impressed with just how humble and willing to learn Burden was when he arrived on campus.
The wide receiver made the top of the depth chart heading into week one, which means he will likely start against L.A. Tech.
"I think bro gonna ball," wide receiver Mookie Cooper said. "He's still young, he's a freshman, but I think he does have the talent and is ready to go compete in this conference right now."
The wide receiver corps includes a lot more talent, outside of just Burden. Veterans Barrett Banister and Tauskie Dove returned for the 2022 season, along with some younger returners in Mookie Cooper and Dominic Lovett.
"I've seen enough of those guys to know they are going to help out," Drinkwitz said. "We'll be able to cut it loose and I've got to. We got to throw it more and give those guys an opportunity to make plays. I mean, you got enough guys that when the ball is in there hand good things are gonna happen."
Drinkwitz said that he will rotate between three running backs to start the season - Cody Schrader, Nate Peat, and Elijah Young. He said whoever has the "hot legs," will get the snaps.
"Fall camp, Nate has been dealing with a couple of soft tissue injuries and we're hopeful that we're past it. But, I don't know that he would be available for 100 percent of the carries. Cody Schrader has been the most consistent player for us throughout camp and Elijah Young has proven that he can do it on this stage."
All eyes will also be on the Mizzou defense following an up and down 2021 season. The Tigers are on their third defensive coordinator in three years, as Blake Baker will lead this season.
"I don't know if pressure is the right word, but a sense of urgency," he said. "I think it's important for us to start fast, you know, from a belief standpoint. As coaches, I do think our kids believe in what we are doing, but when you put it out there on the field and they see it working, that's when they really start to buy in."
MU will kick off agains L.A. Tech at 7:00 p.m. in Memorial Stadium. You can watch our live coverage from the game beginning at 5:00 p.m. and running all the way until kickoff.
