Much of the offseason focus on Missouri was about quarterback Brady Cook and All-American wide receiver Luther Burden III, and how their top-ranked offense could potentially lead them to the College Football Playoff.
However, it’s been their defense that has truly impressed so far this season.
Under new defensive coordinator Corey Batoon, the Tigers shut out Buffalo 38-0 on Saturday night. This marks the first time Missouri has had back-to-back shutouts since 1966 and the first time they’ve had shutouts in the first two games of the season since 1935.
“It’s a great confidence booster for us,” said Missouri defensive back Marvin Burks. “But at the end of the day, we know we still have to keep our head down and keep working. … Every day is going to keep getting tougher and tougher as we go.”
Cook threw for 228 yards and ran for two touchdowns, and Burden scored before leaving the game with an illness late in the first half.
The team also got strong performances from Theo Wease Jr., who had 13 catches for 149 yards, and Nate Noel, who ran for 73 yards and a touchdown. This win marks Missouri’s 18th consecutive nonconference victory at Memorial Stadium.
This win ties the school record for consecutive nonconference wins, with Boston College coming up next Saturday.
“They’ve earned where they’ve gotten, and that’s been the cumulative effect of the last two or three seasons,” said first-year Buffalo coach Pete Lembo, who previously faced the Tigers as an assistant at South Carolina.
C.J. Ogbonna, who played against the Tigers with Southeast Missouri State, completed only six passes for 55 yards. Jacqez Barksdale had 67 rushing yards, and the Bulls managed just 169 total yards of offense.
“Really, really proud of the way our defense has been playing,” said Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz.
