The Tigers struggled to get much going through the air on Saturday night in the Gator Bowl. True freshman quarterback Matt Zollers completed just 12 passes for 101 yards and one interception. He had less than 50 yards passing entering the final two minutes of the game.
While there were certainly some odds stacked against him with several starting receivers missing from the game, Zollers didn't exactly show he was ready to be the guy in 2026. His final numbers for 2025 were decent, throwing four touchdowns to two interceptions, leading Eli Drinkwitz to make a big decision in the coming weeks about the future of the position.
Did Zollers do enough to show he deserves the starting job in 2026?
Zollers was a four-star recruit and the No. 9 ranked quarterback in the 2025 class. He's shown flashes this year as a true freshman, but unfortunately the Tigers don't have months or even weeks to decide if he's going to be the guy. With the portal opening Jan. 2, movement will happen quickly, and the Tigers may need to find yet another starter if they don't believe Zollers is ready.
While Zollers seems to have the backing of the coaching staff and the fanbase, the reality of college football, especially the SEC, is that there's no time for training wheels. With Ahmad Hardy in the backfield, the Tigers don't need to worry about their rushing attack, but the struggles of Beau Pribula and Zollers highlighted the need for a complimentary passing attack.
While Zollers still has some time to develop this offseason, Mizzou may need to make their decision before they can see the finished product. After the lackluster Gator Bowl performance, the coaches minds may have been made up for them.