Mizzou football’s season opener is Thursday. Here’s what you need to know about Game 1

For the first time in its long history, Mizzou football is preparing to face South Dakota.

The Coyotes had an ugly 2022 campaign, going 3-8 with a 2-6 record in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, their fewest wins since 2014, not counting the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season.

But head coach Bob Nielson’s team has made a few changes and features some talented returners for his eighth season at the helm.

Take a look at the matchup ahead of Thursday’s opener...

Details

Kickoff: 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 31

Where: Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium, Columbia

TV: SEC Network

Here are three things to know about South Dakota...

New OC arrives with a national title

Josh Davis, South Dakota’s offensive coordinator, sports a couple of rings in his collection.

He was a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) national championship-winning coach at South Dakota State last season before making the move across the state from Brookings to Vermillion.

The Jackrabbits averaged 184.6 yards per game on the ground under Davis in 2022, adding another 200 through the air with quarterback Mark Gronowski.

South Dakota could use every bit of that, having averaged just 286 yards per game last season.

Missouri’s coaching staff is preparing for the new scheme.

“We’ve been studying a lot of South Dakota State film,” Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said.

Iowa State transfer at quarterback

Iowa State transfer Aidan Bouman will lead the Coyotes’ offense.

“They’ve got an elite quarterback,” Drinkwitz said. “Really strong arm, talented player, gets the ball out on time, can make all the throws.”

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound left-handed QB didn’t play during his two years with the Cyclones and was South Dakota’s backup for the entire first half of last season. He made five appearances — four starts — in 2022, leading a come-from-behind win over Illinois State after entering the game for his debut down 14 points late in the second quarter.

Bouman went 1-3 as a starter with a win over Bobby Petrino’s Missouri State squad. Bouman threw for eight touchdowns and one interception on 60.6% accuracy.

Coyotes have 3 preseason All-Americans

The Coyotes bring three of Phil Steele’s FCS preseason All-America selections to Columbia, all on defense.

Myles Harden, a junior cornerback, and senior linebackers Brock Mogensen and Stephen Hills will line up opposite, well, whichever quarterback takes the field for Mizzou.

Harden made just six appearances in 2022, but he forced six turnovers, including three picks, in his limited action.

“Somebody that … offensively we have to be aware of,” Drinkwitz said. “... That guy is a ball-hawk player that is to be watched.”

Mogensen and Hills combined for 221 total tackles last season, each placing in the top 15 in the nation. That’ll make for an early test for an offensive line that needs to show more than was the case last season.

“We’re gonna have to do a really good job of making sure that our combination blocks can get to those guys,” Drinkwitz said.

The Star has partnered with the Columbia Daily Tribune for coverage of Missouri Tigers athletics.