Columbia News

Quarterback Beau Pribula made a strong debut for Missouri, contributing four touchdowns as the Tigers defeated Central Arkansas 61-6 in front of a sellout crowd at Memorial Stadium. The win marks Missouri’s 20th consecutive home victory over non-conference opponents and extends their overall home winning streak to 11 games.

Pribula, who transferred from Penn State, completed 23 of 28 passes for 283 yards and added 65 rushing yards on ten carries. He opened the scoring with a 49-yard touchdown pass to Marquis Johnson. Johnson finished with five receptions for 134 yards.

Missouri kicker Blake Craig added field goals from 49 and 55 yards, bringing his career total of successful kicks over 50 yards to seven—second most in program history.

After Missouri’s defense forced several early punts, Kevin Coleman Jr. returned one punt for 44 yards to set up another score. Pribula followed with a 31-yard touchdown run—the longest by a Tigers quarterback since Blaine Gabbert’s run against Kansas State in 2010.

Before halftime, Pribula led a late drive capped by a one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brett Norfleet. His first-half completion percentage of .826 (19-for-23) was the best by a Missouri quarterback in an opener since Brad Smith’s performance against Arkansas State in 2005.

In the third quarter, running back Ahmad Hardy contributed significantly with five carries for 82 yards and scored on a four-yard run. Later, after being pinned at their own one-yard line, Missouri mounted another long drive highlighted by Pribula’s second rushing touchdown.

Freshman quarterback Matt Zollers entered in the fourth quarter and threw his first career touchdown pass to tight end Jude James on a play aided by receiver Daniel Blood’s block.

On defense, linebacker Jeremiah Beasley forced a fumble recovered by Cameron Keys that set up Marquise Davis’ three-yard rushing touchdown. Freshman linebacker Dante McClellan later returned an interception for an 83-yard score—the longest such return in program history during an opener.

The Tigers’ defense held Central Arkansas to just two conversions on fourteen third-down attempts and limited them to under 230 total yards. Linebacker Josiah Trotter led with eight tackles while defensive end Damon Wilson II recorded two sacks.

Central Arkansas scored its only touchdown late in the game on a short pass from Luther Richesson to Manny Smith.

Missouri will next face longtime rival Kansas Jayhawks at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, September 6 at 2:30 p.m., marking the first meeting between these teams since 2011 and the first played in Columbia since 2006. The sold-out game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

For more information about Missouri football or updates throughout the season, visit MUTigers.com or follow team accounts on social media platforms including X (@MizzouFootball), Coach Drinkwitz (@CoachDrinkwitz), Instagram, and Facebook.