SETTING THE SCENE
The 14th-ranked Mizzou football team (4-1, 1-1 SEC) is set to welcome Texas A&M (3-2, 1-2 SEC) to COMO on Saturday, October 10 (11 a.m. CT / ABC). The Tigers dominated No. 8 Florida to the tune of a 45-17 victory in the 115th annual homecoming game in Columbia on Oct. 3. A plethora of national honors poured in on Monday and Tuesday as QB Austin Simmons and LB Nicholas Rodriguez each earned SEC Player of the Week honors for their performances. Simmons was also named Davey O'Brien QB of the Week and Manning Star of the Week nationally, while RB Jamal Roberts was tabbed Doak Walker National RB of the Week and LT Cayden Green took home Outland Trophy National Player of the Week. WR Cayden Lee had his name added to the Biletnikoff Watch List for the nation's top pass catchers, and head coach Eli Drinkwitz also earned national praise, being named both Bear Bryant National Coach of the Week and Dodd Trophy National Coach of the Week.
THE COACHES
Already No. 4 on Mizzou's all-time wins list, Eli Drinkwitz is in his seventh season as Mizzou’s head coach and enters Saturday with a 50-30 mark (62-31 overall). The Alma, Arkansas, native has led the Tigers to bowl eligibility in each of his first six seasons in Columbia, making him the only MU head coach in program history to achieve that feat. Prior to taking the Mizzou job, Drinkwitz was 12-1 in his lone season as head coach at Appalachian State (2019). Drinkwitz boasts the best home winning percentage (min. four seasons) in program history at .800 and is 36-9 on Faurot Field during his tenure. Since the start of 2023, Drinkwitz and the Tigers have gone 33-11 (.750) - tied for 12th-best nationally over that stretch.
Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko is in his third season leading the Aggies, having guided A&M to a 22-9 record during his tenure in College Station. The Aggies are 3-2 overall and 1-2 in SEC play in 2026. In 2025, Elko led Texas A&M to an 11-2 record and the program’s first College Football Playoff appearance, marking the Aggies’ first 10-plus-win season in more than a decade. Elko returned to Aggieland after two seasons at Duke, where he went 16-9 and led the Blue Devils to consecutive bowl appearances while earning 2022 ACC Coach of the Year honors. Prior to Duke, Elko spent four seasons as Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator and safeties coach from 2018-21, helping the Aggies to a 34-14 record and four consecutive bowl appearances. He also served as defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, Wake Forest and Bowling Green, among other coaching stops.
FIRST & TEN: STORYLINES
- Saturday's game versus Texas A&M marks yet another sellout for the Tigers, extending MU's program-record sellout streak to 24 games.
- The Tigers are 33-11 since the start of 2023 (.750) - tied for 12th-best nationally over that stretch by winning percentage.
- Mizzou extended its winning streak against unranked opponents to 27 games with its win over Troy on Sept. 19. The 27-game streak is the second-longest such winning streak in the country over unranked teams.
- Mizzou checks in at No. 14 (AP) and No. 16 (Coaches) in the latest editions of the national polls (Oct. 4). The Tigers peaked at No. 14 in the AP Poll on Oct. 5 last season.
- RB Jamal Roberts ranks sixth nationally in rushing yards (606), just seven yards shy of SEC leader Jaden Baugh (Florida) who the Tigers limited to 13 yards on 12 carries in last week's win. Roberts leads both the SEC and the FBS with 465 rushing yards after contact. That total represents 75.5% of his 606 rushing yards this season.
- WR Cayden Lee ranks ninth nationally in receiving yards (522) and 10th in receptions (35). Beyond that, Lee’s PFF receiving grade (91.4) ranks third nationally and leads the SEC among FBS pass catchers with at least 25 targets.
- QB Austin Simmons has earned an 88.5 overall offensive grade and an 88.5 passing grade from PFF through his first five games as a Tiger. His passing grade ranks third in the SEC and 15th nationally among passers with at least 100 passing attempts.
SCOUTING TEXAS A&M
- The Aggies are 3-2 through their first five games of the 2026 season, opening with home victories over Missouri State (50-0) and Arizona State (48-20) before dropping SEC contests against Kentucky (31-21) and at No. 10 LSU (35-6). Texas A&M returned to the win column with a 34-7 victory over Arkansas last time out.
- Texas A&M rushed for a season-high 231 yards and four touchdowns against Arkansas, outgaining the Razorbacks by a 401-214 margin to secure the 800th victory in program history. Freshman running backs KJ Edwards and Carsyn Baker combined for 92 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
- The Aggies’ offense is led by senior QB Marcel Reed, who has completed 85-of-149 passes for 908 yards and six touchdowns through five games. Reed has added 170 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, including 66 yards and a score against Arkansas.
- Texas A&M has scored 159 points through five games, averaging 31.8 points and 356.2 yards of total offense per contest. The Aggies are averaging 167.4 rushing yards and 188.8 passing yards per game, producing 5.0 yards per offensive play.
- Defensively, Texas A&M is allowing 18.6 points and 312.8 total yards per game. The Aggies have limited opponents to 121.0 rushing yards per contest while surrendering 191.8 passing yards per game.
- The Aggies have scored on 19 of their 22 red-zone opportunities this season, including 16 touchdowns. Texas A&M converted each of its four trips inside the Arkansas 20 into rushing touchdowns during its 34-7 victory.
I AM THE CAPTAIN NOW
Mizzou voted six captains to lead the Tigers during the 2026 season. The group includes LT Cayden Green, C Dominick Giudice, LB Nicholas Rodriguez, RB Jamal Roberts, S Santana Banner and K Blake Craig.
SEC GAUNTLET
- The Tigers face one of the nation's toughest schedules for the 2026 season, featuring five opponents who were ranked inside the preseason AP Top 10: No.3 Georgia, No. 5 Texas, No. 8 Texas A&M, No. 9 Ole Miss and No. 10 Oklahoma.
- ESPN ranked the Tigers' schedule 12th-toughest nationally while Phil Steele ranked Mizzou's schedule the 21st-toughest in the country entering the season.
ANOTHER SOLD-OUT ZOU
- Saturday's game versus Texas A&M marks yet another sellout for the Tigers, extending MU's program-record sellout streak to 24 games.
MIZZOU LONGEST HOME SELLOUT STREAKS
NO. STARTED ENDED STREAK
1. Sept. 16, 2023 -- 24 games
2. Nov. 23, 1974 - Sept. 16, 1978 (18 games)
3. Nov. 18, 1967 - Sept. 11, 1971 (17 games)
TOP-10 TAKEDOWN
- Mizzou’s 45-17 victory over No. 8 Florida marked the program’s 22nd all-time win over an AP top-10 opponent.
- The 28-point victory was the largest over a top-10 opponent in program history, surpassing the Tigers’ 21-point win at No. 8 USC in 1976.
- It marked Mizzou’s first regular-season victory over a top-10 opponent since winning at No. 7 Georgia in 2013 and its first at Memorial Stadium since defeating No. 3 Oklahoma in 2010.
- The Tigers’ 45 points were their most against a ranked opponent since scoring 45 against LSU in 2020.
A DECADE OF HOMECOMING WINS
- Mizzou extended its program-record Homecoming winning streak to 10 games with its 45-17 victory over Florida.
- The Tigers improved to 70-40-5 all-time on Homecoming and earned their first Homecoming victory over Florida.
HISTORIC TRIPLE THREAT
- QB Austin Simmons threw for 340 yards, running back Jamal Roberts rushed for 211 yards and wide receiver Cayden Lee recorded 110 receiving yards in Mizzou’s win over No. 8 Florida.
- The trio became the first to produce 300 passing yards, 200 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards against an AP top-10 opponent since Ohio State’s Justin Fields, J.K. Dobbins and Garrett Wilson against No. 10 Michigan on Nov. 30, 2019.
- Prior to Saturday, the feat had not been accomplished against an SEC team since Wisconsin’s John Stocco, Brian Calhoun and Brandon Williams did so against Auburn in the 2006 Capital One Bowl.
FIVE-FOR-FIVE
- WR Donovan Olugbode caught six passes for 94 yards and a touchdown in the win over No. 8 Florida, generating 37 yards after the catch and three receiving first downs.
- Olugbode’s 47-yard touchdown extended his streak to five-consecutive games with a scoring reception, tied for the third-longest streak in program history.
- He became the first Mizzou receiver to catch a touchdown in five-straight games since Jeremy Maclin accomplished the feat during the 2008 season.
- Olugbode has also scored Mizzou’s opening touchdown in each of the Tigers’ last two games.
- Olugbode’s six receiving touchdowns lead the SEC and tied for sixth nationally.
- Through five games, Olugbode has 26 receptions for 407 yards on 37 targets. His receiving yardage ranks sixth in the SEC and 25th nationally.
- Lee and Olugbode have combined for 61 receptions, 929 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns this season, including 300 yards after the catch.
- They are the only pair of teammates among P4 schools to each have 400-plus receiving yards on the season.
WINNING ON THE GROUND
- Mizzou rushed for 220 yards in its 45-17 victory over No. 8 Florida, led by Jamal Roberts’ career-high 211 yards.
- The Tigers improved to 30-2 under head coach Eli Drinkwitz when rushing for at least 200 yards.
- Roberts’ career-long 80-yard touchdown was the 11th scoring run of at least 80 yards in program history and Mizzou’s longest rush since Henry Josey broke an 86-yard run in 2013.
DOMINANT DIFFERENCE
- Mizzou outgained No. 8 Florida by 235 yards, the sixth-largest positive yardage differential against a ranked opponent in program history.
- The 235-yard advantage marked the largest margin by which the Tigers have outgained an AP top-10 opponent.
- Mizzou finished with 560 yards of total offense while limiting Florida to 325.
AMONG THE ELITE
- Since the start of 2023, the Tigers are 33-11 (.750), tied for 12th-best nationally over that period.
WIN PERCENTAGE SINCE 2023
(NATIONAL LEADERS)
NO. | TEAM | WIN % | RECORD
1. Oregon .872 41-6
Georgia .872 41-6
3. Ohio State .854 41-7
4. Notre Dame .848 39-7
5. Texas .830 39-8
6. Ole Miss .822 37-8
James Madison .822 37-8
8. Alabama .787 37-10
9. SMU .761 35-11
Indiana .761 35-11
Michigan .761 35-11
12. Missouri .750 33-11
Memphis .750 33-11
AUSTIN POWER
- QB Austin Simmons has earned an 88.5 overall offensive grade and an 88.5 passing grade from PFF through his first five games as a Tiger.
- His passing grade ranks third in the SEC and 15th nationally among passers with at least 100 passing attempts.
- Officially, Simmons has completed 93-of-137 passes for 1,287 yards, 13 touchdowns and no interceptions, producing a 67.9 completion percentage and a 178.1 passing efficiency rating.
- PFF has credited Simmons with seven big-time throws this season, including two against Florida without a turnover-worthy play.
- Simmons earned an 89.3 overall offensive grade and an 88.3 passing grade against the Gators after throwing for 340 yards and two touchdowns.
LEE-DING THE WAY
- WR Cayden Lee owns a 91.3 overall offensive grade and a team-leading 91.4 receiving grade from PFF through five games.
- Among FBS pass catchers with at least 25 targets, Lee’s receiving grade ranks third nationally and leads the SEC.
- On the season, Lee has caught 35 passes for 522 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 14.9 yards per reception.
- PFF has charted Lee with 46 targets, 150 yards after the catch and no drops this season. He has generated 25 receiving first downs and averaged 3.84 yards per route run.
- Lee earned a team-best 91.1 offensive grade (best among all P4 WR) against Florida, adding a 90.1 receiving grade and converting both of his contested targets.
TWO FOR THE SHOW
- Wide receivers Cayden Lee and Donovan Olugbode have officially combined for 61 receptions, 929 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 15.2 yards per catch.
- Olugbode has caught 26 passes for 407 yards and six touchdowns, complementing Lee’s 35 receptions for 522 yards and four scores.
- PFF has charted the duo with 83 total targets and 300 combined yards after the catch.
- Lee has been targeted 46 times, hauling in 35 of them without a single drop.
- Among pass catchers with at least 25 targets, Olugbode’s six receiving touchdowns lead the SEC and tie for sixth nationally.
- Olugbode caught six passes for 96 yards and a touchdown against Florida, extending his streak of games with a touchdown reception to five.
MAKING CONTACT COUNT
- RB Jamal Roberts has officially gained 606 yards and scored six touchdowns on 113 carries through five games, averaging 5.4 yards per attempt., following a career-high 211-yard, three-touchdown performance against Florida.
- PFF has credited Roberts with 465 rushing yards after contact, the most in both the FBS and the SEC.
- Roberts generated 149 yards after contact against the Gators, accounting for 70.6% of his rushing production, while forcing six missed tackles and earning an 80.8 rushing grade.
- Through five games, Roberts has forced 20 missed tackles on rushing attempts.
- Nearly three-quarters of Roberts’ PFF-charted rushing yardage this season—75.5%—has come after contact.
PROTECTION PLAN
- Four of Mizzou’s five starting offensive linemen have earned a pass-blocking grade of at least 79.6 from PFF through five games.
- Tristan Wilson leads Mizzou’s five starting offensive linemen with an 85.0 season pass-blocking grade, followed by Cayden Green (84.8), Dominick Giudice (83.1), Curtis Peagler (79.6) and Luke Work (68.0).
- Among blockers with at least 100 pass-blocking snaps, Wilson ranks 33rd nationally and eighth in the SEC.
- Green ranks tied for 35th nationally and ninth in the SEC, while Giudice is tied for 56th nationally and ranks 13th in the SEC.
- Peagler ranks 19th in the SEC while Work ranks 49th in the SEC.
- Wilson earned an 85.5 pass-blocking grade against Florida. Wilson, Green, Giudice and Peagler were each charged with no sacks, quarterback hits or hurries across 33 individual pass-blocking snaps.
- Mizzou’s five starters were collectively charged with three pressures against the Gators and have logged 739 combined individual pass-blocking snaps this season.
HOPKINS’ HAVOC
- EDGE rusher Daeden Hopkins owns an 81.5 overall defensive grade and an 83.4 pass-rushing grade through five games.
- Among defenders with at least 100 pass-rushing snaps, Hopkins’ pass-rushing grade leads the SEC and is tied for 12th nationally.
- His 24 PFF-credited pressures lead the SEC and rank third nationally.
- PFF has also credited Hopkins with one quarterback hit and 15 hurries across 139 pass-rushing snaps.
- Hopkins accounts for one-quarter of Mizzou’s 96 PFF-credited pressures this season.
- Against Florida, Hopkins recorded three hurries and two batted passes.
DEATH ROW DEFENSE
- Mizzou’s 90.3 overall defensive grade through five games ranks sixth in the SEC and tied for 21st nationally.
- The Tigers’ 90.4 run-defense grade ranks fourth in the SEC and tied for 23rd nationally, while their 87.6 pass-rush grade leads the SEC and ranks second nationally.
- PFF’s dedicated pass-rush report credits the Tigers with 96 pressures this season, comprising 19 sacks, 13 quarterback hits and 64 hurries.
PRESSURE IN NUMBERS
- PFF has credited Mizzou with 96 total pressures through five games, consisting of 19 sacks, 13 quarterback hits and 64 hurries.
- The Tigers’ 87.6 pass-rushing grade from PFF’s leads the SEC and ranks second nationally.
- In addition to Daeden Hopkins’ team-leading 24 pressures, Sterling Webb has recorded seven and Jason Dowell has contributed five.
- Dowell led Mizzou defenders with at least 20 snaps against Florida with an 82.9 overall grade, recording one sack and three hurries.
- Dowell, Webb and Donta Simpson each recorded a sack against the Gators and combined for 10 individual pressure credits.
WOODYARD OWNS THE RUN
- Linebacker Robert Woodyard Jr. owns a team-leading 92.5 run-defense grade from PFF through five games.
- Among FBS defenders with at least 25 run-defense snaps, Woodyard ranks fifth nationally and leads the SEC.
- PFF has credited Woodyard with 16 run stops across 99 run-defense snaps this season. In total, he’s credited with a team-leading 19 PFF defensive stops, ranking fourth in the SEC and 21st nationally.
- Woodyard earned an 82.5 run-defense grade against Florida, recording four run stops in nine run-defense snaps.
- He has played 221 total defensive snaps and earned a 77.5 overall defensive grade.
- Mizzou’s 90.4 season run-defense grade ranks fourth in the SEC and tied for 23rd nationally.
THE BANNER STANDARD
- Safety Santana Banner has been one of Mizzou’s most active defenders through five games with PFF charting him for 278 snaps, earning a 74.2 overall defensive grade and a 79.1 coverage grade from PFF.
- Banner ranks second among Tigers with 44 tackles, trailing only Nicholas Rodriguez’s 50.
- His 16 PFF defensive stops rank second on the team, trailing only Robert Woodyard Jr.'s team-leading 19.
ROBERTS RUNS THROUGH CONTACT
- RB Jamal Roberts earned an 80.8 rushing grade against Florida after producing 211 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries.
- Roberts generated 149 yards after contact against the Gators, accounting for 70.6% of his rushing production and averaging 6.2 yards after contact per carry.
- Roberts forced six missed tackles as a runner and caught all three of his receiving targets for 29 yards, finishing with 240 yards from scrimmage.
- Through five games, Roberts leads both the SEC and the FBS with 465 rushing yards after contact. That total represents 75.5% of his 606 rushing yards this season.
- Roberts has forced 20 missed tackles on rushing attempts, tied for seventh in the SEC and 43rd nationally.
- Roberts has carried 113 times for 606 yards and six touchdowns this season, averaging 5.4 yards per carry.