Mizzou football blown out by Bama. But we learned a lot about the Tigers, Drinkwitz
There were flashes of optimism for the Missouri Tigers in Saturday night’s 38-19 loss to Alabama. When talent meshed with scheme, things looked promising for first-year MU coach Eliah Drinkwitz.
But the retooled Tigers were little match for the No. 2 Crimson Tide at Faurot Field. It was a brutal start to the Drinkwitz era, though it came against one of the toughest opponents in the country.
While college football celebrated upsets elsewhere around the nation, the Tide soundly defeated the underdog Tigers by dominating nearly every facet of the game. Alabama’s offense looked stout through the air and on the ground, gashing a Tigers defense that returned many of its contributors from last season.
“Proud of the fight that our team displayed at the end,” Drinkwitz said after the game. “Could’ve easily gone a lot of different ways when the offense fumbled the first possession of the second half. We didn’t. We all stuck together.”
Indeed, the Missouri offense had some solid plays against the imposing Alabama defense. Wide receiver Jalen Knox showcased some of the promise he displayed as a freshman in 2018, grabbing five receptions for 63 yards. The Tigers picked up a 54-yard Tyler Badie touchdown in garbage-time to make the score slightly more respectable. Backup quarterback Connor Bazelak also ran into the end zone for a touchdown as time expired.
Shawn Robinson, the TCU transfer, started at quarterback, beating out Bazelak. Robinson had his moments — including some nice throws — but the Alabama defense stifled his playmaking ability.
Next up for the Tigers: No. 16 Tennessee, 11 a.m. Saturday, at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.
“We saw some fight there at the end and that was important,” Drinkwitz said. “Bottom line, we didn’t play well enough on either side of the ball or in special teams to win the game tonight.”
Here are five takeaways from Mizzou’s season-opening loss and the start of the Drinkwitz era.
OFFENSE REJUVENATED, NEEDS TO FINISH DRIVES
These Tigers can get first downs. Mizzou was able to move the chains Saturday to the tune of 20 first downs.
But finishing drives proved elusive.
The Tigers strung together six that traveled into Alabama territory, but they stalled each time. In the third quarter, Mizzou got all the way to Alabama’s 4 but couldn’t get into the end zone after a Robinson sack.
Along the way, Drinkwitz showcased MU’s new offense. The 54-yard touchdown when Alabama forgot to pick up Badie was a nice highlight. Bazelak also led a 75-yard touchdown drive as time expired.
Plenty of new wrinkles in the Tigers’ offense showcased why Drinkwitz was hired to lead the MU program — especially when it came to pre-snap motion. Drinkwitz looked to exploit mismatches and find favorable matchups, like he did as head coach at Appalachian State.
It was a frustrating night overall for the offense, though. The O-line looked inexperienced because it was coming off a camp riddled by COVID-19 and injuries. The Tigers’ receivers also showed themselves to be works in progress, though Knox’s performance was a relative bright spot.
QUARTERBACK BATTLE DECIDED
After months of deliberation and keeping it a carefully guarded secret, the Tigers unveiled their starting quarterback. Robinson played most of the snaps in the first half, aside from one series given to Bazelak.
Robinson had an up-and-down night, finishing 19 for 25 for 185 yards passing and one touchdown, though he also had a key fumble. His completion percentage was solid, but he wasn’t asked to throw downfield often.
The dual-threat quarterback didn’t have much time to operate as Bama brought steady pressure. He made a few plays with his legs, but not nearly enough to flip the game around.
DEFENSE MET WITH RUDE INTRODUCTION
Mizzou’s defense was carved up by the potent Alabama offense both on the ground and through the air. Alabama quarterback Mac Jones had a stretch of 10 straight completions that ended only because his receiver dropped a wide-open pass for a sure touchdown.
On the next play, the Alabama quarterback threw a dime into double coverage to Jaylan Waddle.
Jones’ numbers were padded by screen passes and checkdowns into the flats, but Alabama’s playmakers eventually took over. And the Tigers didn’t get enough pressure on Jones.
Mizzou’s defense showed some fight late, forcing a fumble from backup quarterback Bryce Young. Tre Williams knocked the ball out and Nick Bolton recovered it.
Jones completed 18 of 24 passes for 249 yards with two touchdowns. Running back Najee Harris had 17 carries for 98 yards and three TDs. Receiver Jaylan Waddle had eight catches for 134 yards and two scores.
WELCOME TO THE SEC
Mizzou started true freshman cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. at cornerback. Rakestraw spurned Alabama and Texas in choosing the Tigers during the last recruiting cycle.
The pressure on Rakestraw to perform grew when fellow corner Jarvis Ware went down with an early injury and didn’t return. The true freshman made some plays, but the ‘Bama aerial attack picked on him repeatedly.
But that’s life in the SEC — especially when playing Alabama.
TURNOVERS, SPECIAL TEAMS
The Tigers turned the ball over twice: once on a Robinson fumble and a second time on a late muffed punt return by Barrett Banister. While the Mizzou defense came away with one fumble recovery, the Tigers still finished with a negative turnover differential.
True freshman kicker Harrison Mevis was a perfect 2 for 2 on field-goal attempts. He converted from 27 and 37 yards to start his college career.
This story was originally published September 26, 2020 at 9:43 PM.