Missouri Tigers football grades: Analysis from MU’s 2OT win over Auburn
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- No. 16 Mizzou survived 2OT at Auburn, securing a 23-17 win and momentum
- Victory clinched bowl eligibility for Mizzou in the 2025 season now
- Offense struggled; defense and Ahmad Hardy’s two TDs produced the win
The No. 16-ranked Missouri Tigers didn’t make it easy on themselves, but they survived a close one in double-overtime at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday.
Besides bringing home a Southeastern Conference win — 23-17 was the final score of this prime-time football game — Mizzou accomplished another feat. The Tigers (6-1) are now bowl-eligible, with several players sporting “Bowl Bound” T-shirts following the 23-17 victory.
“Offense laid it down on the line, defense stepped up big (in overtime),” said MU running back Ahmad Hardy, who scored two touchdowns Saturday. “We just came together and played Mizzou football and came out with the win.”
Here are our grades from Saturday’s showdown in Auburn, Alabama:
Missouri offense
The Missouri offense wasn’t nearly as efficient as coach Eli Drinkwitz would have hoped.
The Tigers totalled almost 33 minutes of possession and rolled up 343 yards, but scoring 17 points in regulation shows Mizzou did make the best use of its time with the ball.
The Tigers rushed for just 37 yards on 21 carries in the second half. On third down they were 2-for-8. They punted on four of six second-half drives, and one of those drives resulted in the interception that sent the game to overtime.
MU quarterback Beau Pribula ran in the game-winning touchdown but was otherwise inconsistent. He finished 23-for-40 for 252 yards, his longest pass travelling 27. He also threw two interceptions.
Grade: C
Missouri defense
Despite allowing a few explosive plays, and in spite of Auburn’s seamless opening drive, defense is truly why the Tigers won this game
Mizzou broke through for five sacks of Auburn QB Jackson Arnold. The Tigers also had nine tackles for losses totalling 43 yards. Toriano Pride had an early interception, Arnold’s first pick since September 2024.
And of course, there’s Auburn’s final drive of the game, a march on which Mizzou allowed Auburn to gain just two yards before pressuring Arnold into a game-sealing incompletion.
“In overtime, I thought our defense was just dominant,” Drinkwitz said.
There were still a few blips between the explosive plays and defensive penalties, but the defense overall deserves its flowers.
Grade: B+
Missouri special teams
Mizzou’s Connor Weselman had a busy evening, punting five times for 230 yards. He averaged 46 yards per kick.
Placekicker Robert Meyer didn’t see as much action as his special teams counterpart. He made his first field goal attempt, from 24 yards, but missed what could have been the game-winner from 38 in overtime.
Grade: B
Area for improvement
Penalties were a bit of an issue this week: The Tigers were hit with four flags for 50 yards, mostly on the defense.
Marvin Burks drew a defensive pass interference on a drive that resulted in an Auburn touchdown. Nicholas Rodriguez was responsible for 30 penalty yards with roughing-the-passer and personal foul calls.
Player of the game: Zion Young
Drinkwitz said it himself on SEC Network’s broadcast before exiting the field following the win.
"Did you see Zion Young tonight? Unblockable. Unblockable, man. What a great night,” Drinkwitz told SEC Network reporter Cole Cubelic.
Young was a catalyst for the defense’s overtime performance. He sacked Arnold for a loss of nine yards on second-and-eight and created tremendous pressure on the last play of the game.
The defense kept Mizzou in this one, and Young made sure to finish the job.
This story was originally published October 19, 2025 at 11:43 AM.
