University of Missouri
10-2 , 6-2
Arkansas
4-8 , 1-7
No. 9 Football Dominates Arkansas, 48-14
11/24/2023 6:40:00 PM | Football
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The legend of Cody Schrader continued to grow and the Missouri defense forced four turnovers that turned into points and one that ended the game as the #9 Missouri Tigers (10-2, 6-2) dominated the Arkansas Razorbacks (4-8, 1-7) in a 48-14 victory in the regular season finale for the Battle Line Rivalry - presented by Shelter Insurance - at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
The Tigers retained the Battle Line Trophy for the seventh time in the last eight games versus the Hogs. While four of those were decided by one score, this one turned into a rout early after Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson was knocked out of the game on the Razorbacks second possession when Daylan Carnellforced him to fumble after a 22-yard run and Darius Robinson recovered.
Missouri logged the sixth 10-win season in school history and first since 2014.
Schrader rushed for 192 yards in the first half as the Tigers got out to a 20-0 halftime lead and scored MU's first touchdown on a two-yard run in the first quarter. He finished the game with 217 yards on 27 carries. On the season, he now has 1,489 rushing yards – the third highest season total in Mizzou annals. He tied a school record with his fifth straight 100-yard rushing game.
Jefferson's early fumble turned in to a 24-yard field goal by Harrison Mevis, who on the day also kicked a 22-yard FG with :49 left in the first half – the 14th time Missouri had scored in the final two minutes of a half this season – and six extra points. He became the first Missouri Tiger to score 400 points in a career and now has 403.
The defense blew the game open in the third quarter. Starting the period, JC Carlies sacked Arkansas QB Jacolby Criswell and forced a fumble that was recovered by Triston Newson at the Arkansas 38. Six plays later, Cook found a wide-open Brett Norfleet on a 16-yard touchdown pass to increase the lead to 27-0.
Arkansas' Isaiah Sategna fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Jamal Roberts recovered for Missouri at the 11-yard line. On the next play, Cook connected with Norfleet again for a TD pass to up the lead to 34-0.
Later in the quarter, Chuck Hicks knocked the ball out of the hands of Criswell and Jay Jerniganscooped it at the 10 and rumbled into the end zone for a TD to give MU a 41-0 lead.
The Razorbacks scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns, and gained 147 of their 234 total yards in the final period.
After Joseph Charleston returned an Arkansas onside kick late in the game, Nate Peat carried six straight plays and scored on a one-yard run for Mizzou's final points. After that, Realus George Jr. sacked Criswell and forced a fumble that Newson recovered with 10 seconds left.
Newson led Missouri's defensive effort with a career-high 15 tackles including two for loss and two fumble recoveries.
The Tigers will learn their postseason destination on Sunday, December 3, 2023.
Team Stats
MIZ 7, ARK 0
MIZ - Schrader,Cody 2 yd run (Mevis,Harrison kick), 7 plays, 54 yards, TOP 03:29
MIZ 10, ARK 0
MIZ - Mevis,Harrison 24 yd field goal 10 plays, 41 yards, TOP 04:14
MIZ 17, ARK 0
MIZ - Cook,Brady 3 yd run (Mevis,Harrison kick), 6 plays, 71 yards, TOP 02:56
MIZ 20, ARK 0
MIZ - Mevis,Harrison 22 yd field goal 7 plays, 69 yards, TOP 03:26
MIZ 27, ARK 0
MIZ - Norfleet,Brett 16 yd pass from Cook,Brady (Mevis,Harrison kick) 5 plays, 38 yards, TOP 02:26
MIZ 34, ARK 0
MIZ - Norfleet,Brett 11 yd pass from Cook,Brady (Mevis,Harrison kick) 1 plays, 11 yards, TOP 00:06
MIZ 41, ARK 0
MIZ - Jernigan,Jayden 10 yd fumble recovery (Mevis,Harrison kick)
MIZ 41, ARK 7
ARK - Armstrong,Andrew 8 yd pass from Criswell,Jacolby (Little,Cam kick) 15 plays, 75 yards, TOP 08:31
MIZ 41, ARK 14
ARK - Augustave,Isaiah 6 yd run (Little,Cam kick), 8 plays, 70 yards, TOP 04:18
MIZ 48, ARK 14
MIZ - Peat,Nathaniel 1 yd run (Mevis,Harrison kick), 6 plays, 26 yards, TOP 03:07
