Dominating performances from Marvin Burks Jr. and Luther Burden III led the Tigers to a 35-10 victory over the South Dakota Coyotes.
Missouri football came away with many questions left unanswered about their team in their 2023 debut against the South Dakota Coyotes. Despite a 35-10 victory, Thursday night’s performance was far from perfect for the Tigers, including their two quarterbacks.
South Dakota and Missouri players line up to begin a quarter on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, at Memorial Stadium in Columbia. In the end, Missouri would take home the win 35-10.
Brady Cook played the entire first half for the Tigers, ending the day with 17 completions on 21 attempts, 172 yards, and two touchdowns — 1 rushing, 1 passing. On his sole touchdown pass of the night, Cook lasered a ball over the head of a defender to sophomore receiver Mehki Miller for 18 yards. The junior quarterback’s biggest challenge of the night came when the Tigers received the ball with 1:25 left in the first half. Cook rose to the occasion and led the Tigers on a 83 yard touchdown drive in only 53 seconds. Following the game, Cook said “we prepped so hard and so good for these situations […] right before I went in I was like, we’ve done this before. We know the calls we’re gonna get.” Cook’s comfortability in the situation was evident as he appeared much more poised and quick with his decisions than he had all night.
A referee signals a touchdown after Missouri earns their second touchdown of the night on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, at Memorial Stadium in Columbia. Missouri would later beat South Dakota 35-10. Photo/Hannah Schuh
The team’s other candidate at quarterback, Sam Horn, did not get the opportunities that he probably had hoped for. With South Dakota holding the ball for most of the second half, Horn only had five passing attempts to show off his arm. The biggest play for Horn came on a 31 yard pass to Miller that moved Missouri into the red zone. The Horn and Miller duo came up short on the next offensive drive when Horn’s pass tipped off Miller’s hands and into those of Coyotes’ cornerback Myles Harden.
Without Horn receiving a fair look, it’s reasonable to assume that the competition to determine the team’s primary quarterback will extend into next week’s game against Middle Tennessee. When asked about his plans at quarterback for next weekend’s game, coach Eli Drinkwitz said that he would evaluate the tape to determine what each quarterback’s playing time will look like in week two.
Missouri quarterback Brady Cook rushes into the endzone for a touchdown on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, at Memorial Stadium in Columbia. Photo/Michael Baniewicz
No matter who was in at quarterback though, Luther Burden lll was a problem for the Coyotes’ defense. Burden broke his personal single game receiving record, ending the day with 96 yards on only seven receptions. A new side of Burden’s game was shown off as he did not shy away from battling for contested catches. Under new offensive coordinator Kirby Moore, the Missouri offense is focusing on push the ball down the field more efficiently. The star receiver’s willingness to fight for difficult passes will be a crucial factor in this.
Besides Burden, the main workhorse for the Missouri offense was the running back duo of Cody Schrader and Nathaniel Peat. Not only did both of the backs score a touchdown, but they were also responsible for over half of the offense’s 437 yards, combining for 200 on the ground, and 47 through the air.
Missouri football fans ask a player for his signature after Missouri’s dominating win over South Dakota on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, at Memorial Stadium in Columbia. Photo/Michael Baniewicz
The Tiger’s defensive performance was highlighted by strong showings from junior defensive lineman Johnny Walker Jr., and freshman defensive back Marvin Burks Jr. Walker led the team with six total tackles on Thursday, and will be expected to take on a bigger role this year after the loss of Isiah Mcguire. Burks caused havoc for South Dakota all night, blocking a punt in the first quarter and hunting down Coyotes’ quarterback Aidan Bauman for a fourth down sack.
Thursday’s performance might not have provided a clear picture of what the 2023 Tigers really are. However, impressive performances from the raw talent on this team provides plenty of reasons to be optimistic that they will take a step forward this season. Next weekend, the Tigers will hope to receive more answers as they host Middle Tennessee State at Faurot Field for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
Edited by Chase Gemes | cgemes@themaneater.comCopy Edited by Sterling Sewell | ssewell@themaneater.com