What we learned from Missouri Tigers football’s SEC victory at Arkansas: MU takeaways

Arkansas caught some hands.

Not just Missouri right tackle Armand Membou’s hands during a first-half brawl that saw the MU lineman and two Razorbacks defensive linemen ejected.

No — the Hogs caught a 48-14 knockout from the Tigers.

A first 10-win season since 2014, and the glitz and glamour that seem certain to accompany that mark, was on the line Friday afternoon as No. 9 Mizzou traveled south for the Battle Line Rivalry’s 2023 edition in football.

And Missouri (10-2, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) gave the Hogs hell, hounding the home team with relentless defense, a pair of touchdown catches by true freshman tight end Brett Norfleet and another quality outing from sensational senior running back Cody Schrader.

The final outcome was never in doubt as the Tigers hammered Arkansas 48-14 at Razorback Stadium.

Here are three takeaways from a victory that qualifies MU for a New Year’s Six bowl:

Second-half hammering

In three minutes, 28 seconds of second-half game time, Missouri scored 14 points.

Even more jarring: The Tigers did not start with the ball during that span.

On the third play of the second half, MU safety JC Carlies forced the ball out of backup quarterback Jacolby Criswell’s hands. Missouri linebacker Triston Newson recovered the fumble.

Missouri needed just six plays to capitalize. Brady Cook — who finished 12-of-20 for 112 yards and two TDs before backup Sam Horn took over in mop-up time — dropped into the pocket and found Norfleet on a slant for an easy-as-they-come 16-yard touchdown. Arkansas’ coverage was busted, and the freshman tight end waltzed into the end zone.

He’d do so again just 11 seconds later.

After Harrison Mevis’ ensuing kickoff for MU, Tigers defensive back Sidney Williams hammered Arkansas kick returner Isaiah Sategna. The ball spilled loose at the 11; MU freshman Marvin Burks Jr. jumped on it.

Missouri ball.

Cook immediately went back to Norfleet, and he ran untouched toward the right pylon.

It got worse for Arkansas (4-8, 1-7). Later in the third quarter, Carlies again forced the ball out of Criswell’s hands. This time defensive tackle Jayden Jernigan recovered, and the 279-pound lineman took it to the house.

Same old sensational Cody Schrader

There are no prizes for guessing correctly the identity of Friday’s Missouri star of the day.

MU running back Cody Schrader started piling up his stats early in this one. He covered 39 yards in his first two carries on Missouri’s second drive, moving into fourth all-time on the Tigers’ single-season rushing list. He surpassed Brad Smith (2005) and Joe Moore (1969).

By the end of the first half, Schrader was No. 3 all-time, eclipsing Smith’s mark from 2003.

Schrader had 192 rushing yards by halftime, and the former Division II transfer walk-on knows how to finish what he started. He closed that drive with the game’s opening touchdown, punching in a 2-yard dive.

By the end of the game, Schrader had rolled up 217 rushing yards on 27 carries for his second 200-yard performance — and eighth 100-yard effort — of the season.

He has now rushed for at least 100 yards in each of his past five games.

Shutting down the Hogs

The play on which quarterback KJ Jefferson fumbled and subsequently departed the game had been Arkansas’ most promising drive of an otherwise forgettable start.

MU safety Daylan Carnell forced the ball out of Jefferson’s hands on his fourth snap of the day. Darius Robinson fell on it.

Before that, Jefferson had run for 22 yards to the Arkansas 47.

The Razorbacks did not make it that far again until just two minutes remained in the third quarter, when they crossed midfield for the first time.

After being felled by Carnell and company, Jefferson hobbled off the field and didn’t return. With backup quarterback Jacolby Criswell forced into action, Mizzou was able to finish shutting down the Hogs.

Defensive coordinator Blake Baker continuously brought five and six in pressure. Arkansas couldn’t deal with it and didn’t cross midfield until there were two minutes remaining in the first half. Four of the Razorbacks’ first five drives ended in four plays or fewer.

Arkansas had just 50 yards of offense on 21 plays in the first half. The Hogs also had 38 yards of penalties in that span.

By day’s end, Missouri had produced three sacks among 11 tackles for loss. The Tigers forced and recovered five fumbles, including the special teams play.

The Star has partnered with the Columbia Daily Tribune for coverage of Missouri Tigers athletics.