Missouri clinched its second top-15 win of the season, defeating No. 13 Tennessee at home to improve to 8-2, 4-2 in SEC play.

The Tigers’ win against then-No. 15 Kansas state was a nail-biter, winning on a last second 61-yard field goal.This matchup was the polar opposite, as Missouri demolished the Volunteers 36-7, leading for 40 minutes of the game. Here are three keys that led to the victory.

Cody Schrader

While graduate running back Cody Schrader had a great game for Missouri, it’s worth looking at some numbers. Schrader tallied 205 rushing yards and a touchdown on 35 carries. He was also a weapon in the pass game, pulling in five receptions for 116 yards. Schrader is the first player in SEC history to account for 200-plus receiving yards and 100-plus receiving yards in a single game.

Schrader has gained more trust throughout the season, thereby gaining more touches in return. After only surpassing 20 carries in a game once in Missouri’s first six contests, the St. Louis native has carried 20-plus times in each of the last four. 

But the exciting edition to his game was the receiving end. In his first nine games, Schrader only caught 15 passes for 75 yards. In his 116-yard outburst, he secured a season-high five receptions.

Dominant Defense Dictates

This is the impressive performance that fans have been expecting out of the Missouri defense for quite some time.

After allowing Tennessee to score and take a 7-3 lead in the second quarter, the Tigers shut them out the rest of the way in a complete effort. 

Missouri only allowed 350 total yards of offense, while its own offense racked up 530. The Volunteers were only able to muster 83 rushing yards, their lowest mark all year. The Tigers had the 24th best rushing defense in the entire nation entering the game, allowing only 114.3 yards per game. 

Missouri was able to force three Tennessee turnovers, one interception and two fumbles. The Tigers have failed to cause turnovers all year, with only eight in nine games, tied for 116th in the FBS. Sophomore defensive back Daylan Carnell’s pick six late in the fourth quarter helped seal the deal on Missouri’s best victory of the year.

Who needs Luther Burden III?

Sophomore wide receiver Luther Burden III has been one of Missouri’s best weapons all year, gaining national attention for his performance. However, the engine has begun to slow. After averaging 132 yards per game in his first six, Burden’s numbers have plummeted down to 48 yards per game in the last four. 

But Burden hasn’t been a complete non-factor, continuing to pull in a touchdown in his last three games. Against the Volunteers, he was able to take a short pass 21 yards all the way to the end zone. 

Without Burden’s consistent contributions against Tennessee, it gave other players a chance to step up in the passing game. Seven different Tigers caught a pass in the game this past Saturday, with Schrader leading the way behind his aforementioned 116 yards. 

Second was freshman wide receiver Marquis Johnson, who caught two receptions for 56 yards. The bulk of that yardage came on a 48-yard strike from junior quarterback Brady Cook, as Johnson found himself wide open beyond the secondary.

Cook had another solid game, with 330 total yards and two touchdowns to contribute to a Tiger victory.

The Tigers hope to carry this momentum into their next home game as they face off against Florida (5-5, 3-4 SEC) on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

Edited by Chase Gemes | cgemes@themaneater.com

Copy edited by Grace Knight | gknight@themaneater.com