Grades from Missouri Tigers’ victory over Louisiana Tech and looking ahead to K-State
Here are grades for all three Missouri units, a highlight from Thursday’s 52-24 victory over Louisiana Tech and a look ahead to next week’s game against Kansas State.
Play of the game
Luther Burden’s first college score: The freshman took a swing pass in the backfield, settled his feet and started toward the goal line. He eluded two tacklers and made two more miss at the goal line to complete the 6-yard touchdown.
Grades
Offense: A
The TIgers got off to a sluggish start but picked up the pace after the first quarter. Freshman wide receiver Burden was everything as advertised with a receiving touchdown and rushing TD.
It wasn’t a perfect night for Burden. He let a pass from Brady Cook skid off his hands for an interception. It was the Tigers’ second giveaway in the red zone.
Another first-game issue: Twice the offensive line couldn’t come up with enough push on third-and-1 attempts.
Cook gets good marks for his regular-season debut. His decision-making was solid, and he excelled in avoiding sacks. Plus his 20-yard touchdown scramble should remind defenses that his running ability must be respected.
Missouri’s 328 rushing yards without a carry longer than Nate Peat’s 34-yard score was impressive.
Defense: B
The Tigers came up with three first-half interceptions, but they scored only seven points from the turnovers. Safety Joseph Charleston, a transfer from Clemson, returned a pick for a touchdown.
Louisiana Tech took advantage of a couple of breakdowns for long touchdown passes. Griffin Hebert slipped through a seam for a 75-yard score. Late in the game, Cyrus Allen got behind the defense for a 64-yard reception. Both were launched by quarterback Matthew Downing, playing at his third school and making his second career start.
A third long score came late, long after the outcome was determined. New coordinator Blake Baker will remind his unit that the most improvement comes between the first and second games.
Linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper was especially active with an interception, a sack and two tackles for loss.
But this was a better overall effort for the Tigers than anything they showed early last season. And from a defense that allowed 227 rushing yards per game, the Tigers held Louisiana Tech to 11.
Special teams: B
Darius Robinson saved the day when he tripped up Smoke Harris on a punt return. Harris would have gone for 97 yards had Robinson not made the play, holding Harris to 42 yards.
Mizzou turned in a terrific possession to end the first half, driving 53 yards in 25 seconds to set up Harrison Mevis’ 31-yard field goal.
Punter Sean Koetting was key to a scoring drive with a punt that pinned the Bulldogs inside the 10.
A sad note: Coach Eli Drinkwitz opened his postgame news conference by announcing that wide receiver Chance Luper, who was slated to start, was hospitalized with an undisclosed illness on Thursday. The son of running back coach Curtis Luper is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.
Next: The Tigers will meet Kansas State at Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Saturday in Manhattan. Kickoff is 11 a.m., and the game will be televised by ESPN2. It’s the first game between the old Big 12 foes since 2011, Mizzou’s final season in the conference.
The Wildcats will open their season on Saturday night against South Dakota.
Missouri and Kansas State are expected to play in Columbia in 2023.
This story was originally published September 2, 2022 at 5:00 AM.