Missouri football had a dominant performance against Louisiana in week three, totaling 606 yards while holding the Ragin’ Cajuns to just 121 in a 52-10 victory. Here are three takeaways from the rout.
Ahmad Hardy: Bellcow Running Back
Hardy is no stranger to the Ragin’ Cajuns. As a member of the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks last season, Hardy ran for 172 yards on 28 carries and tacked on a touchdown in a 37-23 loss against them. While wearing Missouri’s black and gold, Hardy eclipsed those numbers against Louisiana in the first half.
Hardy ran for 187 yards and two touchdowns before halftime, an electric performance highlighted by his 71-yard rushing touchdown that extended the Tigers’ lead to 32 points. He finished with a career-high 250 yards to go along with three touchdowns, averaging a game-breaking 11.4 yards per carry.
Having a player who, statistically, moves the chains each time he touches the ball is an otherworldly luxury. It’s the kind of production the Missouri coaching staff was envisioning when they plucked Hardy from the Sun Belt Conference. On the flip side, the strong performance from Missouri’s offensive line is what Hardy was hoping for when he made the move to a bigger stage.
While Hardy is touted as a rough-and-tumble power runner, he has continued to display a proficiency in utilizing precise jukes and lateral movements to evade defenders. Hardy’s workhorse ability paired with Jamal Roberts’ explosiveness give the Tigers one of the most feared RB duos in the Southeastern Conference as they head into conference play.
Pass Defense Steps Up
With 1:56 left in the third quarter, Missouri true freshman Matt Zollers found fellow true freshman Shaun Terry II for a nine-yard gain. That relatively forgettable play wound up representing more total passing yards than the Ragin’ Cajuns mustered the entire game.
There were questions about the strength of Missouri’s secondary after the Kansas game, in which they allowed six different pass plays of more than 15 yards, which changed the game’s momentum. With returning players like cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. and safety Daylan Carnell anchoring the secondary, it was supposed to be one of Missouri’s strengths. Against Louisiana, they showed off the unit’s potential.
The Tigers allowed only two completions for four passing yards between Louisiana quarterbacks Daniel Beale and Lunch Winfield. To put it simply: nobody was open. Defensive backs Drey Norwood and Caleb Flagg contributed pass breakups, and there was only one defensive penalty — a pass interference against cornerback Stephen Hall — which the Washington State transfer immediately followed up with a pass breakup.
Pass defense is a communal effort, and Missouri’s defensive line contributed to Louisiana’s passing ineptitude. The defense as a whole put together two sacks and eight tackles for loss on the day, leaving Beale and Winfield visibly uncomfortable during every dropback.
When the Tigers’ defense is playing soundly, they are one of the best in the country. Their performance in the passing game was a resounding success ahead of their first SEC matchup against South Carolina.
Kevin Coleman Jr. is the New Luther Burden III
Luther Burden III was a game-changing wide receiver, but oftentimes his efforts came from places other than beyond the sticks. Coleman’s arrival in Columbia meant a new Burden-like gadget for the Tigers to use all over the field.
The Tigers went to Coleman out of the backfield early against the Ragin’ Cajuns, using his shiftiness to their advantage by motioning him all throughout the offensive zone. When he got the ball on touch passes from Beau Pribula, he made use of it, finishing the day with eight receptions for 84 yards.
Burden was the cornerstone of Missouri’s offense, but he was not always the most productive player in the stat sheet. What he brought to the team was the same attribute that Coleman does now: the impalpable ability to keep the defense on their toes.
While the Tigers understandably took a ground-based approach to the Louisiana game, any Gamecock scouts looking at film to study their week four opponent are going to mark Coleman’s backfield motion as an item to focus on. That means the play-action pass will be Missouri’s best friend against South Carolina. Watch for Moore to utilize Coleman’s backfield motion as a feint for some downfield looks next week.
Missouri will take on South Carolina at home on Sept. 20 at 6 p.m.
Edited by Killian Wright | [email protected]
Copy edited by Avery Copeland | [email protected]
Edited by Alex Gribb | [email protected]
