Mizzou runs over Arkansas in fourth consecutive Battle Line rivalry victory

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KMIZ)

After an up-and-down year, the Tigers ended the regular season on a high note.

Mizzou (8-4) successfully defended its battle line crown against Arkansas (2-10), winning the regular season finale 31-17 on Saturday.

You can watch extended highlights from the win in the video player below.

"We did something that's never been accomplished. You know, we won all three trophy games, so that was awesome to have that experience," defensive tackle Chris McClellan said. "Just to see the excitement in the locker room, with the cigars and everybody hooting and hollers, it's always good."

You can watch the full postgame press conference with McClellan in the video player below.

The offense made a return to form in Fayetteville, fueled by an impressive day on the ground. Ahmad Hardy was the leading rusher, picking up 157 yards on 27 carries and a score. Jamal Roberts also eclipsed the century mark to help the Tigers end the day with 322 yards on the ground.

"This is exactly what we're supposed to be doing. We said we were going to finish and we were gonna finish strong," Hardy said. "We said whatever came up, we're gonna finish strong."

You can watch the full postgame press conference with Hardy in the video player below.

On the opening drive of the game, MU stormed down the field, scoring to take a 7-0 lead. The Razorbacks responded by scoring back-to-back touchdowns to swing the momentum to the home side.

Beau Pribula then led a 75-yard drive, capping it off with an 11-yard QB run to even the game at 14. He ended the day with 78 rushing yards despite being just four of seven through the air

The defense allowed just 3 more points the remainder of the game, holding the hogs scoreless in the second half. Kevin Coleman Jr. also returned a punt for a touchdown on the team's way to a 31-17 rout of the Razorbacks.

"When I caught it, I just said make something happen," Coleman Jr. said. "Something in my head said just go score and be the game-changer. I just seen space. Once I saw two guys, I seen room, I went left. The return was meant to go right, but shoot when I left I seen space. The guys blocked and I just did the rest."

You can watch the full postgame press conference with Coleman Jr. in the video player below.

Saturday's victory also marked the first under head coach Eli Drinkwitz's brand new six-year deal, which got announced on Thursday. After weeks and weeks of rumors surrounding his future in Columbia, Coach Eli and the University silenced all the outside noise

The contract extension will keep him in Columbia through the 2031 season, which was a big priority for him, especially after all the noise he's heard all season.

"At the end of the day, college football's gonna have to change all this stuff. We've got to figure this out, where we're not putting pressure on coaches and programs and people during the middle of the week, where there's nothing but speculation. I mean, we've got Twitter trending with bets on who's gonna be leading or get this job. I was the leading bet-getter for a job that I never interviewed for. That's annoying. That's bullcrap. It's just speculation, it's just media throwing stuff on the wall and it's tough on everybody. It's tough on players, it's tough on coaches," Drinkwitz said. "This place has been nothing but great to me and so, you know, I just felt like we weren't done yet. You know, we weren't done yet. That north end zone isn't completed and so my job here is not completed, yet."

You can watch the full postgame press conference with Drinkwitz in the video player below.

"It's exciting. You know, a lot of guys maybe questioning what could happen with his future, so seeing that and knowing that he's coming back, for a lot of guys, especially those younger guys, just being happy knowing that he's coming back and they're not having to worry about what they have to do and everything like that," linebacker Josiah Trotter said.

You can watch the full postgame press conference with Drinkwitz in the video player below.

Up next - the Tigers will learn their bowl game destination on Sunday, Dec. 7.