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Mizzou steamrolls UMass 45-3 in momentum building performance

By Zach Sweet

Oct 12, 2024; Amherst, Massachusetts, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12) throws a pass to wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) during the first half against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Oct 12, 2024; Amherst, Massachusetts, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12) throws a pass to wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) during the first half against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images / Eric Canha-Imagn Images
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Mizzou got back to its winning ways Saturday, beating up on UMass 45-3 in Amhurst. This was the first meeting between these two teams, and the Tigers came out strong.

With gusting winds of 30 miles per hour, Mizzou kept the ball on the ground early and often. But, it was not the usual running back for the Tigers as Marcus Carroll picked up the start with Nate Noel out due to back spasms.

Carroll looked great, finding the end zone three times, rushing for 91 yards on 15 carries. The offensive line helped out their running back, consistently winning at the line-of-scrimmage.

Luther Burden got things started for Mizzou galloping 61-yards on an end around, scoring within the first minute of the game.

It didn't take long for the Tigers to add on, scoring on a 3-yard rushing touchdown from Carroll on their next possession. This capped off a 13 play 80 yard drive that took up over 7 minutes of game time.

In the second quarter, Mizzou kept things rolling putting togeter yet another scoring drive with Carroll finding the end zone from 4-yards out this time. This gave the Tigers a 21-0 cushion with 11:02 remaining in the second quarter.

Things got sloppy for Mizzou before halftime as they gave up a field goal after multiple defensive breakdowns. After punting again, UMass went down the field driving into the red zone right before the break.

That's when Corey Flagg made the play of the game, intercepting Taisun Phommachanh and returning it into UMass' red zone. Mizzou wound up settling for a 42-yard field goal making it 24-3 at the half.

The Tigers came out strong in the second half, stopping the Minutemen on their first possession and taking the ensuing drive 57-yards for a touchdown. The sequence was finished by Carroll on a 35-yard touchdown run, completing the hat trick. Mizzou took a 31-3 lead within five minutes of the second half.

Early in the third quarter, Mizzou suffered a scary injury to its best player in Burden. He appeared to be wincing in pain and grabbing at his left shoulder. Up by 28 points at the time, the Tigers had no intent of playing him, so it will be interesting to see his injury designation throughout the week. Burden finished the game with 7 touches for 127 yards and a touchdown.

Brady Cook finished out the third quarter with some positive momentum, linking up with Joshua Manning on a 63-yard touchdown, and Brett Norfleet on an 8-yard strike. Cook needed these throws mentally in order to gain confidence ahead of more difficult competition looming. These two scores gave the Tigers a 45-3 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Mizzou will be back at home next week with kick off at either 11 or 11:45 a.m. on Saturday when Auburn comes to Columbia.

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