Missouri football trounced the Massachusetts Minutemen 42-6 on Sept. 27, staying undefeated at 5-0. While the scoreboard displayed a blowout, there is still a lot for the Tigers to work on. Here are three takeaways from the Homecoming win.
Offense overly reliant on superstar Ahmad Hardy
Missouri fans across the country held their breath in the first quarter as superstar running back Ahmad Hardy made his way to the medical tent for an apparent lower-body injury.
His absence was quickly felt by more than just the concerned fans. The first full drive without Hardy in the backfield was a pass-first possession — a deviation from the standard run-heavy offense — resulting in quarterback Beau Pribula’s third interception of the season.
The Tiger faithful could rest easy, as Hardy’s injury proved to be a non-factor and he came back to finish with 24 rushes for 130 yards and three touchdowns. The gaudy numbers are what Missouri has come to expect out of its star back, but the team’s performance in his short absence is cause for some concern.
The box score painted Pribula in a positive light, as he completed 26 of 29 passes for 241 yards, one touchdown and an interception. However, Pribula did not look comfortable in the pocket for most of the game, with the bulk of his completions coming near the line of scrimmage or shortly after and a general hesitance to unleash a deep pass — he only converted one pass for 20 yards or more.
Pribula took four sacks, multiple of which were self-inflicted as he did not choose to scramble or get the ball out with ample time to throw. His interception was truly puzzling, where he climbed the pocket and threw it straight to the defense.
The Tigers are hopeful that when important games are in the balance, they won’t have to worry about being without Hardy. But football is an unpredictable game, and any team must be prepared to play without its star at any time. The matchup with the Minutemen left many questions about what the Tigers can be without Hardy, and they will need to be answered ahead of the hardest stretch of their schedule.
Kevin Coleman Jr. and Brett Norfleet continue to be the leaders of the passing game
Even with Pribula not playing at his highest level, Missouri’s passing offense was effective enough to put away the Minutemen. Of the Tigers’ 27 completions, 18 went to tight end Brett Norfleet and wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr., marking another game where both targets were the focal points of the passing game.
Coleman’s 12 receptions against UMass were the most of his career, surpassing his personal record of 10 set three weeks prior against the Kansas Jayhawks. Offensive coordinator Kirby Moore has shown a sustained effort to get the Mississippi State transfer the ball early and often, with eight of his receptions coming in the first half.
Coleman’s prowess at the wideout position stems from his agility, but his 5-foot-11 stature doesn’t hold him back from making contested catches when necessary, such as when he fought through contact on the sideline to convert a 3rd-and-11 play in the third quarter.
While Coleman is Pribula’s most prolific target, it may not be a stretch to say Norfleet is his favorite. The big-bodied tight end has finally started to reach his potential in his junior season — his four touchdowns in 2025 are already the most he’s had in a season. In the red zone, Pribula is often looking his way, as he did against the Minutemen for a nine-yard touchdown.
Norfleet brings a unique dimension to the tight end position with his athleticism, allowing him to make toe-tap catches typically only done by smaller wide receivers.
As each week passes, Pribula’s connection with his targets grows deeper. With how smoothly Coleman and Norfleet’s skillsets complement each other, expect their usage to continue to grow as the season treks on.
Secondary locked in
After the Tigers beat South Carolina 29-20, head coach Eli Drinkwitz lamented the team’s passing defense, noting that the Tigers allowed 302 passing yards.
The discrepancy in Missouri’s passing and rushing defense was clear against Kansas, where the Jayhawks passed for 223 yards while only rushing for 31. The defensive line has been pulling its weight, and for the Tigers to reach their full potential, the secondary must consistently do the same.
Against UMass, the defensive backs stepped up. The Tigers finished with nine pass breakups, five more than their previous season high. The Minutemen only mustered 105 passing yards, completing just 36% of their passes.
The most impressive feature of Missouri’s pass defense against UMass was its depth, as eight players combined for the nine pass breakups and backup safety Santana Banner came away with an interception.
While it’s obvious that facing a mid-major opponent does not simulate the level of competition the Tigers will match up with in conference play, it is a welcome sight for any coach when they can trust the levels of their defense beyond the first-string. If injuries force the Tigers to delve into their bench in a big game, the experience those players attain against teams like UMass will prove crucial.
Missouri will have a bye week next Saturday before facing the Alabama Crimson Tide at 11 a.m. on Oct. 11.
