Missouri football will open its season on Aug. 28 against the University of Central Arkansas. The bout marks the beginning of a new era for the Tigers, as they won’t have the core members of the Cotton Bowl-winning 2023 roster that set the program on a path of success.
As Missouri stalwarts such as Luther Burden III, Johnny Walker Jr. and Brady Cook make their way to the NFL, their roles in Columbia are replaced by new faces like wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. and defensive end Damon Wilson II. As for who will follow Cook as the signal caller for the Tigers? Heading into week one, it’s still a mystery.
The quarterback battle between Sam Horn and Beau Pribula has been the titular topic of Missouri’s offseason. The flames were stoked once more this week, as head coach Eliah Drinkwitz announced that both quarterbacks will play against Central Arkansas as part of his decision-making process.
Horn is a redshirt junior, perhaps better known on campus for his dual-sport theatrics — he was drafted to the Los Angeles Dodgers during the offseason — than his quarterbacking ability, as he has only thrown eight passes in his collegiate career. However, he was a four-star recruit out of high school and was Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter’s running mate at Collins Hill High School. Seen in recent years as the heir apparent to Brady Cook, 2025 may be Horn’s year to fulfill that role.
Unlike Horn, Pribula is new to the program, but he comes from a similar position. A graduate transfer from Penn State, Pribula was the logical next step for a Nittany Lions program riding with the uber-talented Drew Allar as their quarterback. Despite that, transfer portal window rules forced Pribula to leave Happy Valley in favor of a hefty paycheck ($1.5 million in NIL money) and a potential starting spot at Missouri. Pribula’s play style is similar to Cook’s, as he is a strong-armed dual-threat quarterback perfect for Kirby Moore’s system. Yet, like Horn, Pribula’s experience at the collegiate level is limited.
Outside of the apparent question mark at quarterback, the Tigers are retooled and ready to go against a Central Arkansas squad coming off a mediocre 6-6 season in 2024.
The Bears hail from the UAC, where there is a lack of high-end programs that could prepare them for a team like Missouri. The Bears’ last game against an SEC opponent was a 59-3 blowout at the hands of the Ole Miss Rebels in 2022.
Central Arkansas is in a quarterback battle of its own, with Austin Myers, Luther Richesson and Caleb Koger all competing for the starting role. According to head coach Nathan Brown, Richesson and Meyers are the frontrunners for the starting spot — like the Tigers, their quarterback battle will also extend into week one, with both quarterbacks expected to play.
The Bears boast a roster featuring seven preseason All-Conference players, including three on the first team. Sophomore wide receiver Malachi Henry was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award during his freshman season, given to the top freshman player at the FCS level. He finished the year with 683 receiving yards and five touchdowns, a clear downfield threat that the Tigers need to focus their pass defense on.
Like last season, Missouri’s strength is in its defense. Returning defensive linemen Zion Young and Chris McClellan will anchor the front line, while Daylan Carnell will be the focal point of the secondary playing the STAR position. Returning players like nose tackle Marquis Gracial will be asked to step into positions of greater responsibility, and transfers, such as last season’s Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year Josiah Trotter, will head straight into starting positions.
The offseason’s defensive restock has Missouri right back in the elite class of units across the nation. The season opener against the Bears is the perfect opportunity for the defense to display its skill and depth.
The team’s rushing offense will be guided by sophomore transfer Ahmad Hardy, who rushed for 1,351 yards in his freshman season and is poised to repeat that efficiency under the leadership of running backs coach Curtis Luper. Coleman will be the first option in the passing game, and his skills will be supplemented by returners such as Joshua Manning, James Madison II and Marquis Johnson.
Week one brings many questions to a Missouri team aiming for the stars, but there is no better method for success than trial by fire. The matchup against Central Arkansas will be the best possible warm-up to the long-awaited week two rivalry game against Kansas.
Prediction: Missouri wins, 45-7
Edited by Colin Simmons l [email protected]
Copy edited by Avery Copeland | [email protected]
Edited by Alex Gribb | [email protected]
