Missouri Tigers crush Louisiana to head into first SEC test at 3-0

The Missouri Tigers will head into their first SEC test of 2025 riding a 3-0 start — with three very impressive performances.

A week removed from outlasting rival Kansas in a double-digit win at Faurot Field, the Tigers made it three for three by stomping the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns 52-10 in Columbia.

The toughest part of this game may have been the 94-degree heat by game’s end, which caused the contest to move from a 3 p.m. start to a noon kickoff.

“It was pretty hot,” quarterback Beau Pribula said in his postgame interview on SEC Network+. “I’ll keep it at that.”

The No. 25 Tigers led 38-10 at half and were able to spread playing time to a number of different players. That included freshman QB Matt Zollers, who saw the field for some valuable reps after being elevated to the backup spot in Sam Horn’s absence.

Starting quarterback Pribula went 15-for-22 passing for 174 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for a touchdown.

“I was pretty good,” Pribula said. “There’s definitely things we can improve — you know, a turnover. But a win’s a win.”

That said, Saturday’s contest was all about the ground game.

Ahmad Hardy continued his stellar start to the season, erupting for a single-game career-best 250 yards and three touchdowns on just 22 carries. He credited MU’s play-calling postgame and also shouted out his offensive line.

“I love those guys,” Hardy said on the SEC Network+ broadcast. “... I was telling them every time I got the ball: ‘Keep it up. Keep doing what you’re doing, and we’re going to keep scoring.’”

Later, he added: “Every time I get the ball, I’m thinking touchdown.”

Jamal Roberts ran for 46 yards and recorded a 39-yard receiving score. Marquis Johnson also caught a touchdown pass from Pribula.

The Tigers eclipsed 400 rushing yards for the game, getting there in the fourth quarter. Saturday marked Hardy’s third career game with at least 200 rushing yards.

“I thought Ahmad and the offensive line really did a nice job running the football,” Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz said during an in-game broadcast interview. “Obviously, we talked about all week having the discipline to dominate an opponent for all four quarters, and I think we’re trying to do that.”

“Ahmad is a great back, great dude,” Pribula added postgame. “I’m proud of him.”

Other standouts for the Tigers included Zion Young and Josiah Trotter, who each recorded two tackles-for-loss, and Kevin Coleman Jr., who led the Mizzou receivers with eight catches for 84 yards. Eight different Tigers made at least one reception, and seven MU players tallied a rushing attempt (though Zollers’ one attempt was a fumbled exchange that he fell on).

Freshman Marquise Davis ran for 113 yards and a late touchdown to put the contest at its final score. The Tigers’ offense (606 yards) totaled 600 yards for the first time since 2021.

“I think the run game (clicked),” Pribula said. “The offensive line did a really good job getting push up front, setting the tone early in the run game.”

The only question mark in this game? That came from the SEC Network+ announcers, who wondered aloud if ESPN’s “College GameDay” would make a stop at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium next week.

There will only be four matchups between teams that were ranked entering this week: Missouri-South Carolina, Indiana-Illinois, Texas Tech-Utah and Auburn-Oklahoma.

“SEC Nation” has already visited Mizzou this year — for last week’s Border War contest.

Up next: The Tigers return to action on Saturday, Sept. 20, against South Carolina. After their first SEC test, they’ll turn around and face Massachusetts before their first bye-week of the season. Missouri begins the year with six straight home contests.

This story was originally published September 13, 2025 at 3:33 PM.

Scott Chasen

The Kansas City Star

Scott Chasen is the Assistant Sports Editor for The Kansas City Star. He has previously reported on the Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas City Royals and has lived in the KC area since 2012.