Quarterback Beau Pribula threw for two touchdowns and ran for two in his Mizzou debut leading the Tigers to a resounding 61-6 victory over the Central Arkansas Bears before a sellout crowd of 57,321 at Memorial Stadium.
In the earliest season-opening game in Mizzou history, the Tigers ran their record streak of home victories over non-conference opponents to 20, and it was their 11th straight home victory overall. Mizzou (1-0) is back in action Saturday, Sept. 6, when longtime rival Kansas visits Columbia for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on ESPN2.
In his first Mizzou game since transferring from Penn State, Pribula completed 23 of 28 passes for 283 yards and rushed 10 times for 65 yards. He got the Tigers on the board on their first possession, hitting Marquis Johnson in stride on a post pattern for a 49-yard touchdown. The Tigers failed on a two-point conversion try and led 6-0 with 11:06 left in the first quarter. That was just the start of Johnson’s career day that ended with five catches for 134 yards.
Blake Craig kicked field goals on Mizzou’s next two possessions – one of 49 yards and one of 55, his seventh successful boot of 50 or more yards in his career, second most in MU annals.
After the Missouri defense forced the Bears’ third three-and-out in the first half, Kevin Coleman Jr. returned a punt 44 yards to the UCA 33, and two plays later, Pribula scrambled up the middle for a 31-yard touchdown, the longest scoring run by a Missouri quarterback since Blaine Gabbert had a 32-yard TD run against Kansas State in 2010.
On Mizzou’s last possession of the first half Pribula completed 7 of 8 passes for 81 yards capping a 99-yard drive with a one-yard TD toss to TE Brett Norfleet with 0:08 left in the second quarter. Pribula’s first-half completion percentage of .826 (19 of 23) was the best in a Mizzou season opener since Brad Smith completed 21 of 25 (.840) against Arkansas State in 2005.
Coming out of the locker room, Missouri marched 85 yards to a touchdown. During the drive, Ahmad Hardy ripped off a 44-yard gain and capped the drive with a four-yard touchdown run. Hardy, who had five carries for 18 yards in the first half, had five for 82 yards in the third quarter alone,
After Central Arkansas’ Trace Beard punted the ball dead at the Missouri one-yard line, Pribula drove the Tigers 99 yards again. Hardy had a 23-yard run and Pribula connected deep again with Johnson on a 44-yarder to the one from where Pribula dashed around left end for his second TD of the game and a 40-0 Missouri lead.
Freshman Matt Zollers took over at quarterback in the fourth quarter and got his first TD pass when he swung a pass out to tight end Jude James who broke free behind a block from wideout Daniel Blood and sprinted 40 yards to the end zone.
On the Bears’ next possession, linebacker Jeremiah Beasley forced a fumble that was recovered by Cameron Keys at the UCA 14-yard line, and four plays later freshman running back Marquise Davis scored on a 3-yard run.
Missouri’s final points came on an 83-yard interception return by freshman linebacker Dante McClellan – the longest interception return for a score in a Mizzou opener in Tiger history.
The Mizzou defense limited the Bears to 227 total yards, and just 2 of 14 third-down conversions. Linebacker Josiah Trotter led MU with eight tackles including one for loss. Defensive end Damon Wilson II’s two tackles were both quarterback sacks.
The Bears scored a late touchdown with 22 seconds left on a Luther Richesson to Manny Smith 3-yard pass.
UP NEXT
The Tigers remain at home next week to host the Kansas Jayhawks in the 121st renewal of the Border War Rivalry, but first since 2011 and first in Columbia since 2006. Game time on Saturday, Sept. 6, is 2:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. The sold-out game will be televised on ESPN2.
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