Mizzou football grades: Analysis of the Missouri Tigers from Game 1 vs. South Dakota

Game one, game won.

Missouri handled South Dakota 35-10 Thursday night to start the season 1-0. Some of MU’s starters stood out, and the defense showed its ferocity, but things were far from perfect.

Here are our postgame grades after Mizzou’s win over South Dakota at Faurot Field:

Brady Cook

The incumbent starter looked solid. Not great, but solid. That led him to a halftime stat line of 17 of 21 for 172 yards and a touchdown.

Cook moved the offense and scored touchdowns. It doesn’t matter how Missouri scores TDs, and Thursday was a step in the right direction in Kirby Moore’s first game as MU’s offensive coordinator.

While Cook didn’t have much success connecting on deep passes, he moved the ball efficiently and consistently once he got into his rhythm. Most importantly, Cook did not turn the ball over.

Grade: B-

Sam Horn

While Cook played the first half, Horn got the second half to show what he’s made of.

He only had one drive in the third quarter after South Dakota milked most of the clock. In the fourth, Horn had a pass intercepted after it hit off Tyler Stephens’ hands.

It wasn’t Horn’s fault. But it was still an interception that resulted in a touchdown for the opponents.

Horn did display his strong arm. He hit Mekhi Miller for a 30-yard gain on a pass that zipped through the night sky with some power. But Horn also struggled with his footwork.

Cook had more of a chance to get into a rhythm. Horn showed he needs to find ways to settle in.

Grade: C

Cody Schrader

Missouri’s starting running back showed tough running and grit. He also picked up right where he left off last season.

Schrader’s two-yard touchdown run in the first half made it four games in a row that he’s scored a TD. He’s consistent and he showed off some added speed as he ran off tackle and tried to turn the corner on the South Dakota defense.

Schrader had 148 rushing yards on 18 carries to go with his touchdown. He also had three receptions as a safety valve out of the backfield.

His 42-yard burst in the fourth quarter put the exclamation point on the Tigers’ win.

Grade: A

Mizzou’s offensive line

MU coach Eli Drinkwitz boasted that the Tigers’ O-line was the team’s “most improved unit” in camp this season.

That improvement needed to be a bit more evident against the Coyotes.

The Tigers’ offensive line had three penalties in the first half: two holds and a false start. Two of those flags happened when Missouri was leading 21-3 and trying to execute the two-minute drill with 1:25 left in the first half.

A hold and a false start dropped the Tigers back to first and 25. That was wiped out due to a targeting call on the Coyotes.

The inconsistent play didn’t hold Missouri back Thursday night, but things must improve before the Tigers take on talented opponents like Kansas State and LSU.

Grade: C

Harrison Mevis

The Tigers’ standout kicker was struggling Thursday night.

The big-legged fan favorite had two field-goal attempts and missed both: one was from 48 yards out, the other 35. He also missed a PAT, but that gaffe was wiped away by an offsides call on South Dakota.

Those would’ve been easy makes for the Mevis of old. He’ll want to rebound against Middle Tennessee State next week, and he’s shown an ability to bounce back in the past.

Grade: D

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