Here are the Missouri Tigers’ grades from final game before SEC play begins at Auburn
.JPG "Missouri quarterback Brady Cook, left, throws a 13-yard touchdown pass as Abilene Christian defensive lineman Jordan Paup leaps in vain on Saturday in Columbia.")
Here are the grades from Missouri’s 34-17 victory over Abilene Christian on Saturday.
Mizzou has one more nonconference game, but it’s not until November. Next up is SEC portion of the Tigers’ schedule, with a trip on Saturday to Auburn.
Offense: C
The passing game was effective and efficient. Quarterback Brady Cook tossed three touchdown passes, two to wide receiver Dominic Lovett. A 79-yarder got the offense going. But the offensive line remains a work in progress. After the game, coach Eli Drinkwitz said the Tigers are still looking for the right combination. Mizzou rushed for 40 yards in the first half. That got better after halftime, but it needs to pick up in a big way for SEC-level competition.
Defense: B
The final score is a bit misleading. Abliene Christian didn’t get into the end zone against the Tigers’ first team defense. The game’s biggest sequence occurred in the third quarter when Ennis Rakestraw came up with a nifty interception, and Chad Bailey followed with a fumble recovery to end the next series.. Linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper recorded two tackles for loss.
Special teams: B
The Tigers were on their way to an “A” grade after Luther Burden returned a punt 78 yards for a touchdown in the game’s early moments. He finished with 111 return yards. But the grade slipped because of kicking problems. Mizzou switched punters mid-game, with Jack Stonehouse taking reps when Sean Koetting proved ineffective. Also, in a stunning development, placekicker Harrison Mevis missed field goals from 52 and 39, the first time he’s missed two in a game in his college career.
Coaching: C
Missouri did what it needed to do against an FCS opponent. Now, as mentioned above, it’s on to the SEC portion of the schedule. Shoring up the offensive line is a must, but if Mizzou can find a way to to pull off a victory and start league play 1-0, this team’s outlook would change in a big way.
Next: Auburn (2-1) was smacked around by Penn State 41-12 on Saturday. It was the worst home loss for the Tigers in a decade. Auburn didn’t score a touchdown on four trips to the red zone. Auburn had previously defeated Mercer and San Jose State.